In a striking shift from high-powered corporate life to wellness and introspection, Sudheer Koneru, an Indian-origin tech entrepreneur based in the US, has revealed that he spends around Rs 3.5 lakh every year on breathing workshops in Bengaluru. A former Microsoft executive and IIT Madras alumnus, Koneru now leads Zenoti, a Seattle-based company which provides business software to salons, spas, and fitness centres.
Koneru, 56, shared with Business Insider that he often travels to Bengaluru to attend four-day intensive breathing workshops that cost between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.6 lakh each. The sessions include two-hour guided meditations using spiritual breathing techniques, which he described as “amazingly healing and just so powerful.”
From Microsoft to Mindfulness
His journey toward wellness began in 2008, when, at the age of 39. The decision was driven by a desire to focus on health, family, and deeper meaning. “I was happy with where I was financially and my goals were more around my personal well-being,” he said.
After a two-year break from work that included strength training, yoga, and running, Koneru returned to the business world in 2010 with the launch of Zenoti. Since then, he has worked to incorporate wellness values into his professional life and company culture.
Wellness-Driven Workplace Culture
Zenoti promotes employee well-being by offering financial incentives for physical activity—be it walking, running, or swimming. Employees also have access to in-house spas, healthy snacks, and counselling sessions. “Wellness isn’t about having a six-pack. It’s about balance and being able to live to your full potential,” Koneru emphasised.
Despite his demanding 10–12 hour workdays and frequent travel, Koneru starts most mornings with yoga. His biggest annual expense, however, is a Rs 13 lakh month-long retreat to Bali, where he undergoes holistic treatments such as massages, sound baths, and yoga, reinforcing his commitment to leading a balanced and purpose-driven life.