Conversations with Preeti Bhat

Today we’d like to introduce you to Preeti Bhat.

Hi Preeti, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I first stumbled upon a breathwork program offered by the Art of Living Foundation 27 years ago, when I was still a student. At that time, I wasn’t searching for anything spiritual. Life already felt complete — I had a loving family, a solid education, and I was a high-performing student. Nothing seemed missing.

But during that very first 5-day program, I was amazed. I didn’t know it was possible to feel such clarity, such lightness in the mind, and to tap into a strength that comes from within. I was hooked. At first, I thought of it simply as a breathing technique that made me feel good. But as I continued, attending advanced programs and going deeper, the practice began to transform me. About 22 years ago, I took the step to become an instructor, and since then I’ve had the privilege of sharing these breathwork and meditation techniques with more than 10,000 people.

My two decades in corporate America only deepened my appreciation for the gifts of these practices — especially for busy, high-pressure professionals who often carry invisible stress. Earlier this year, I chose to step away from the corporate world and dedicate more of my time and energy to bringing these wellness programs to more and more people in the community.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges is simply getting people to make the time to begin. There’s a common belief that breathwork and meditation demand a lot of time and commitment to maintain, and that becomes a barrier. In reality, the real work lies in helping people carve out just a little space to learn these techniques—because once they do, they discover how calming the mind allows them to bring out the best in whatever they’re doing.

Awareness has grown tremendously compared to 20 years ago, but we still have a long way to go in making mental health as much of a priority as physical health. After all, better mental health is the foundation for better overall health.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
For over two decades, I worked as an IT professional with several Fortune 500 companies, implementing systems and solutions to improve efficiency in the workforce. Those years in corporate America only deepened my appreciation for the gifts of breathwork and meditation—especially for busy, high-pressure professionals who often carry invisible stress. Earlier this year, I made the decision to step away from the corporate world and dedicate my time and energy to bringing these wellness programs to more and more people in the community.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5–10 years, breathwork and meditation will become woven into the fabric of daily life. Organizations will no longer see them as optional perks, but as essential pillars of employee well-being. At the same time, as the field grows, people will need to develop the discernment to separate fleeting wellness “hacks” from practices with true depth and authenticity—those rooted in wisdom traditions that have been passed down for thousands of years.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artofliving.org/us-en