Hi, I’m Cynthia
I help all ages discover their own inner calm, strength, and flow.
“If you just set people in motion they’ll heal themselves.” ~ Gabrielle Roth
The Path That Led Me Here
In the early 90’s I was diagnosed with an auto-immune system dysfunction which caused chronic pain, inflammation, fatigue, depression and anxiety. Western medicine practices did not bring relief and came with a variety of side effects. Eventually I began to look elsewhere for help. Fortunately, somewhere along my path I developed a belief in something greater, a feeling that anything is possible and the strength to never give up. I’ve also found that it takes hard work and and a supportive community to grow and learn and that everyone has something to share.
From Student to Teacher: My Story
I enjoy blending ancient and modern healing systems to support health of body, mind, and spirit. My practice weaves together Tai Chi, Qigong, Yoga, Energy Medicine, Sound Healing, and Shamanic Ceremony.
My teaching journey began in 2002 with creative movement for an early childhood education program at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia. The following year, I started teaching yoga at Sun and Moon Yoga Studio, where I went on to complete both 500- and 700-hour teacher training programs.
In 2015, I completed a 200-hour teacher training program with the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi (IIQTC) under Dr. Roger Jahnke and soon became one of their senior trainers, assisting and producing workshops and trainings.
I also became a certified Tai Chi Easy Instructor through The Healer Within Foundation, where I later produced several trainings and earned the role of Senior Trainer.
Over the years, I’ve studied Tai Chi and Qigong with many renowned teachers, including Dr. Roger Jahnke, Brian Trzaskos, Daisy Lee, Ken Cohen, Lee Holden, Master Deng Ming-Dao, Master Lee JunFeng, Master Mingtong Gu, Linsay Wei, and Francesco Garripoli, as well as others through the National Qigong Association (NQA). My studies have also included Energy Medicine with Donna Eden, Anodea Judith, and Alberto Villoldo; Feldenkrais with Lavinia Plonka; and Sound Healing with Peter Hess, Christine Stevens, Eileen McKusick, and Martha Collard.
I’m deeply committed to community service and have offered free classes for Girl Scout troops, the National Institute of Peripheral Neuropathy, and various women’s groups. I also assisted in a study focused on Qigong for opioid addiction.
Current positions 2025
Senior Trainer – Institute of Tai Chi and Qigong – Levels 1 and 2
Senior Trainer – Healer Within Foundation – Tai Chi Easy
Tai Chi instructor – Princeton Fitness and Wellness
Independent Tai Chi and Qigong Teacher – Privates, Groups and online trainings
Independent Sound Journeys and Sound Massage practitioner
Independent Circle of Life Coaching
Old Guard of Princeton – Executive Committee (AV Chair – for 3 years)
Propellers (lecture series on Innovation in Science and Technology): Assistant Producer
Certifications
200 hour Tai Chi and Qigong – Institute of Qigong and Tai Chi
Tai Chi Easy Practice Leader Trainer – Healer Within Foundation
500/700 hour Teacher Training – Sun and Moon Yoga Studio
Circle of Life Coach – Circle of Life Programs
Sound Healing – Sonic Wellness Institute
Drumming Facilitator – Health Rhythms
Circle of Life Coach – colci.org
The Circle of Life Coaching is a “best practice” Holistic Life Coaching System, empowering people to make positive changes in every aspect of their lives.
Yoga
Gentle stretching techniques to strengthen the body while relaxing and focusing the mind, this centuries-old system for total health and well-being includes yoga poses, breathing techniques and deep relaxation. These techniques create the combined effect of unblocking and increasing the energy within your body. This helps to relax you and focus your mind so that you can experience deep inner peace. This system also reduces the negative impacts of stress; strengthens muscles while increasing their flexibility; tones all the internal organs, glands and the nervous system; keeps the spine healthy; increases joint mobility; and lowers high blood pressure.
Qigong (Chi Kung)
Sometimes referred to as Chinese Yoga, Qigong is an ancient healing art that combines movement, deep breathing and meditation. Qi is “life Force”, the essence of nature itself that nourishes and energizes all living things. Qigong consists of moving and non-moving meditations for reducing stress, improving physical health, the emotions, and opening the heart.
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Also called Taijiquan, this art reminds the outside observer of the calm, rhythmic flowing of a river. The practitioner appears distant while at the same time focused and attentive. Seeming to make no effort, yet moving gently, the appearance masks a capacity for enormous power. Stillness in motion and motion in stillness.
A tool for improving physical and mental health, taijiquan is also a martial art, with each movement having applications. Proponents of this art state that it has brought them closer to their inner nature while enabling them to discover fresh perspectives on life.
Meditation
To still the mind and attain greater focus is one of the main goals of meditation. These practices enable us to travel to the core of our consciousness to find emotional and mental clarity. Generally, man is unable to attain this level of stillness at an ordinary level of attentiveness. Meditation can be performed in silence or with chanting or repeating a mantra or gazing upon a mandala.
