The word "KABIRA" in black uppercase letters on a dark background.

A vision, a vibration, and a reminder of what lives within us all: truth, presence, and expansion.

Originally given to Karlijn in 2014, the name Kabira was inspired by the Arabic root KBIR, meaning “the vast one.” It reflected a deep personal awakening into awareness, and surrender to life’s unfolding.
In 2025 the name evolved into KABI·RA, visualising even more space in all we do and a synthesis of mystic traditions and lived experience.

A woman standing in a dry, bushy landscape with mountains in the background, illuminated by warm, golden sunlight.

KABI·RA

The word KABI carries rich meaning across cultures:

  • Sanskrit / Hindi (कवि – Kavi): Poet, seer, or sage - one who gives voice to deeper universal truths. 

  • Akan (Ghana): Stability or steadfastness - standing firm in one’s truth.

  • Japanese (歌日 – Kabi): Poetic translation as “song of the day,” suggesting creative presence. 

RA symbolizes radiant energy and transformation:

  • In Sanskrit, Ra relates to movement, giving, and illumination.

  • In Egyptian mythology, Ra is the sun god, embodying light, creation, and divine life force.

  • In Tantric traditions, Ra reflects fiery, transformative energy, ffueling growth and awakening.

Together, KABI·RA speaks to you as a seer of light, a poet of truth and one who channels clarity and presence into the world.

It reflects our mission to support you in the return to your essence - clear, embodied, and deeply alive.

A woman standing outdoors near water, with light reflecting in the background, in black and white.

Karlijn Kouwenhoven

Karlijn Kouwenhoven (1987) is the founder of KABI·RA, where she facilitates self-development retreats, monthly trainings, and private coaching for individuals and couples. Her approach is integrative, grounded, and transformational. She combines breathwork, movement, direct honesty, energy awareness, and trauma-informed tools to bring the body, mind, and soul into alignment. 

With over 20 years of experience in personal transformation, Tantra, intimacy, and embodied leadership, Karlijn brings a unique blend of mental insight, consciousness and embodiment. She holds an MSc in Social & Organisational Psychology, started her career in global consulting, and trained in Tantra, Hatha Yoga, and somatic bodywork modalities. Her work bridges modern Psychology, ancient wisdom, and real-life practice.

She has led transformational retreats across Europe, Asia, and Australia, taught at international festivals, and currently offers regular classes in Amsterdam and Haarlem.

Colleagues and clients often describe her as intuitive, joyful, clear, and catalytic. She combines softness and precision to create spaces that are both safe and deeply transformative.

Outside of her professional work, you can find her at the beach or in nature, dancing (contact improvisation), practicing CrossFit, ice skating, or exploring languages and new cultures.

Education & Certificates

    • Somatic Movement Educator Therapist Training (250h) –  SomaticBody – Netherlands (est. completion 2026)

    • Co-teacher Transformational Breathwork Facilitator Training – BreathCompany – Netherlands (2024)

    • Darkness 6-Day Immersion – Bremen (2024)

    • Trauma Release Exercise (TRE) Facilitator Training – Netherlands (to be completed)

    • Circling Surrendered Leadership Training – Netherlands (2021)

    • Practitioner Training Access Bars – Access Consciousness – Netherlands (2020)

    • Radical Honesty Advanced Workshop – Radical Honesty Europe – Netherlands (2020)

    • Assistant AAL Level 1 – Awaken as Love – New Delhi, India (2016)

    • Osho Sannyasin Initiation – Osho International – New Delhi, India (2016)

    • Co-trainer Young Leadership Program – Young President Organisation – Czech Republic (2016)

    • Assistant ISTA Level 1 – International School Temple Arts – Thailand (2016)

    • ISTA Level 2 –  International School Temple Arts – Thailand (2016)

    • Graduate Love, Sex & Awakening – Margot Anand – Ibiza (2016)

    • Shaktipat Initiation, Siddha Lineage – Ganeshpuri, India (2016)

    • Facilitator Training, Tantric Healing – Heart of Shiva – Australia (2016)

    • Teacher Training Tantra Yoga – Heart of Shiva – Australia (2016)

    • Teacher Training Hatha Yoga – Yogpeeth – India (2014)

    • Tantric Massage Training – Ronja Sebastian – Netherlands (2014)

    • Trainer Workshop Facilitation – Deloitte – Amsterdam, Netherlands (2014)

    • Dialogical Leadership Level 1 – Deloitte – Amsterdam, Netherlands (2013)

    • Deep Democracy Level 1 – Jitske Kramer – Netherlands (2013)

    • Coordinator Internship – Ahold Europe – Netherlands (2012)

    • Exchange Program – AIESEC – Amman, Jordan (2011)

    • Board Member – AIESEC – Leiden, Netherlands (2010)

    • Admitted, MSc International Conflict & Peacebuilding – University of Amsterdam – Netherlands (2010)

    • Social Sciences Minor – Stellenbosch University – South Africa (2008)

    • MSc Social & Organisational Psychology – Leiden University – Netherlands (2009)

    • BSc Psychology – Leiden University – Netherlands (2008)

  • FESTIVALS:

    • Facilitator – Tantra Festival Holland / Awaken as Love – Netherlands (2017–2019, 2022, 2023, 2025)

    • Facilitator – Tantric Joy Festival – Netherlands (2018, 2019, 2022, 2024, 2025)

    • Facilitator – Tantric Bliss Festival – Odessa (2022)

    • Facilitator – Tantra Festival Amsterdam – Netherlands (2017, 2018, 2019, 2022)

    • Facilitator – Tantra Festival Rotterdam – Netherlands (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)

    • Facilitator – Tantra Festival India (2016)

    • Facilitator – Tantra Festival Portugal (2017)

    • Facilitator – Intimacy Festival – Odessa / Amsterdam (2022)

    • Intensive Teacher – Touch & Play Festival – Germany (2018)

    • Facilitator – Eigentijdse Jongeren Festival – Netherlands (2015–2017)

    • Facilitator – Tribal Gathering – Berlin (2019)

    • Facilitator – Couples Workshops (monthly) – The Innerwork Lab – Netherlands (2024-...)

    • Facilitator – Couples & Women workshops (monthly) – Yogaschool Noord – Netherlands (2020–2022)

    • Tantric Dance Teacher – Ecstatic Dance – Berlin (2017–2019)

    • Tantric Awakening (weekly classes) – Bewustzijnschool – Amsterdam (2018)

    • Lead Facilitator – Tantra City Retreat – Odessa – Amsterdam (2017, 2018)

    • Meditation Workshop Facilitator – EY New Hire Programme – Amsterdam (2019)

    • Workshop Facilitator – Municipality of Amsterdam (2018)

Guest podcasts

Magazines

Open magazine spread with a quote in Dutch on the left page and a pink electrical outlet with a pink cord and scattered confetti on a pink background on the right page. A speech bubble with a black and white photo of a woman is above the outlet.

Kabira in &C Magazine