SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — Indian-origin yogic scholar and mental health researcher Ishan Shivanand has won a Gold award at the 2026 Nautilus Book Awards for his memoir, The Practice of Immortality. The honor marks his second international literary award in less than a year and highlights the growing global interest in mindfulness, meditation, and mental wellness.
The Nautilus Book Awards, founded in 1998, recognize books that inspire spiritual growth, social change, and conscious living. Shivanand received the Gold award in the Spirituality of Eastern Thought category. Previous Nautilus honorees include the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, Brené Brown, and Eckhart Tolle. The recognition adds to a series of milestones for Shivanand, whose work focuses on bringing ancient yogic practices to modern audiences through research-backed meditation and breathwork programs.
Published in May 2025, The Practice of Immortality explores Shivanand’s personal journey through yogic traditions and his mission to make meditation and breathwork accessible to people around the world. The memoir was released in the United States by Hachette Book Group and in the United Kingdom and India by Penguin Random House. The book quickly gained attention among readers. It became a USA TODAY national bestseller and reached the No. 1 spot on Amazon India within a week of publication.
The memoir is now available in 15 countries and has been translated into seven languages, including English, Hindi, Marathi, Italian, German, Portuguese, and Spanish. The book combines personal experiences with lessons from traditional yogic teachings. Readers have responded positively to its practical approach to mindfulness and inner well-being.
Shivanand is the founder of Yoga of Immortals (YOI), a Bay Area-based meditation and breathwork program. He also leads Compassion Unites, a cross-sector alliance focused on mental health awareness and support.
According to the organization, more than 100,000 people worldwide use YOI’s meditation protocols each day. Participants include individuals from major organizations such as Google and Rutgers University. The program aims to help people manage stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges through structured breathing and meditation techniques. As interest in mental health tools continues to grow, many organizations have started exploring wellness practices that support resilience and emotional balance.
A key factor behind YOI’s growth is its emphasis on scientific research. Researchers have evaluated the program in six PubMed-indexed studies conducted in collaboration with the University of Cincinnati, the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, and Rutgers University.
The studies reported reductions ranging from 72% to 82% in anxiety, depression, and insomnia after eight weeks of practice. These findings have helped attract attention from healthcare professionals, educators, and corporate leaders interested in evidence-based wellness solutions. The research has also strengthened conversations about integrating meditation and breathwork into broader mental health strategies.
Shivanand believes mental wellness has become increasingly important as artificial intelligence transforms workplaces and industries. He said many executives built successful careers in environments where experience provided reliable guidance. However, rapid technological change has created uncertainty and increased pressure for leaders.
“Many executives built their careers in environments where experience was a dependable guide. AI is changing the pace and shape of work so quickly that old playbooks don’t always hold,” Shivanand said.
He added that leaders must stay grounded and strengthen practices that support clear thinking, sound judgment, and steady leadership during times of change. His comments reflect a growing discussion about the connection between mental resilience, workplace performance, and technological disruption.
The Nautilus honor follows Shivanand’s Literary Titan Gold Book Award, which he received in December 2025. Together, the awards underscore the expanding reach of his work in literature, spirituality, and mental health. Born into a family with a 21-generation yogic lineage, Shivanand continues to bridge traditional wisdom and modern research. He serves as adjunct faculty at the Center of Excellence for Holistic Wellbeing at IIT Ropar and maintains research affiliations with Stanford University.
Over the years, he has received recognition from the U.S. Congress, engaged with members of the U.K. Parliament, and participated in discussions at the White House on the opioid crisis. With The Practice of Immortality earning international acclaim, Shivanand’s message of mindfulness, meditation, and mental well-being continues to reach a growing global audience.
