In an age where burnout, anxiety, and lifestyle disorders have quietly become part of everyday life, conversations around health are no longer limited to hospitals or fitness centres. Increasingly, people are searching for sustainable ways to restore balance, improve mental well-being, and reconnect with themselves. Across India, a new generation of wellness leaders is responding to this shift by combining traditional practices with modern understanding, creating spaces where healing extends beyond physical fitness. Among them is Shivani Priyam, a journalist-turned-wellness entrepreneur, certified yoga teacher, author, and social impact advocate whose work reflects the growing importance of holistic well-being in contemporary society. Through her initiative, Gatherings with Gurudev, she has been encouraging individuals from diverse walks of life to embrace yoga, mindfulness, and conscious living not as trends, but as lifelong practices. Her journey represents a meaningful transition from reporting on society’s challenges to actively contributing to solutions that promote healthier and more resilient communities.
Long before establishing her wellness initiative, Shivani built her career in journalism, working with reputed media organisations including The Times of India, The Weather Channel, Jagran New Media, Network18, and Tark Sangat. Covering civic affairs, healthcare, environmental issues, and human-interest stories brought her face-to-face with communities navigating hardship, uncertainty, and social inequality. One particularly impactful assignment during the floods in rural North Karnataka reshaped her perspective on the role of meaningful service. While documenting loss and resilience, she realised that people often needed more than their stories to be told they also needed support, hope, and opportunities to rebuild their lives. That experience became a turning point, inspiring her to move beyond observing change and towards creating it. Following the pandemic, as concerns around mental health and preventive healthcare became increasingly visible, Shivani pursued professional training at the Sri Sri School of Yoga under the Art of Living Foundation before launchingGatherings with Gurudev, where traditional yoga, meditation, pranayama, Yoga Nidra, and mindful living are integrated into accessible wellness programmes for people across different age groups.
What distinguishes Shivani’s work is the way it brings together multiple dimensions of service. Alongside wellness education, she has remained deeply connected to social responsibility through volunteer work with organisations such as Youth for Seva, Bhumi, ADORE, and UNFCCC, contributing to education, healthcare awareness, sanitation drives, and community development initiatives. Her literary work further extends this mission. Through her award-winning anthology, The Silent Lauder – Whirring Amusing Tales, she explores social values, history, spirituality, and human emotions, encouraging readers to reflect on everyday life with empathy and curiosity. Rather than treating yoga, writing, and social work as separate pursuits, Shivani views them as interconnected ways of empowering individuals and strengthening communities. Her long-term vision includes expanding access to yoga therapy for underprivileged communities while integrating Ayurveda into wellness programmes, reflecting her belief that preventive healthcare should be inclusive, accessible, and deeply rooted in awareness rather than treatment alone.
At a time when society is increasingly recognising that well-being extends far beyond physical health, Shivani Priyam’s work represents a larger movement that encourages people to embrace mindfulness, resilience, and purposeful living. Whether through journalism, literature, yoga education, or community service, she continues to inspire individuals to invest in themselves while remaining connected to the world around them. As she expands her wellness initiatives, her mission remains centred on helping people discover strength in every phase of life not just during moments of success, but also through adversity. Sharing the philosophy that guides both her personal and professional journey, Shivani says, Life can put both pleasant and adverse situations for us to grapple with. Learn to enjoy both. And always remember, if you believe in yourself and in the Almighty, you can win any battle. “No battle is too hard for you to conquer.” It is this unwavering belief in resilience, faith, and self-belief that continues to shape her work, making Gatherings with Gurudev more than a wellness initiative it is a growing movement encouraging people to live with balance, purpose, and hope.
