Leading with Purpose: Shivani Priyam's Journey from Storytelling to Social Impact
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.
