AUM Life did not begin as a business concept. It began with a question – Why does well-being feel so difficult to sustain within city life? The idea of an Urban Ashram first came to her during a period of meditation. It was a simple but persistent thought – Could the depth and stillness of an ashram exist within the rhythm and energy of a city? What began as an instinct stayed with her. Over the next seven years, the idea gradually took shape through her own experiences, practices, conversations and observations.
Raised in a home where Vedic philosophy, chanting and havan rituals were part of everyday life, she grew up understanding spirituality as something practical and integrated, rather than distant or ceremonial.
Her own exploration took her through a range of practices, including Vedic havan, Raj Yog Meditation, Vipassana, Isha Kriya, Twin Hearts Meditation and Access Consciousness. Along the way, different teachers and traditions offered perspectives that shaped her understanding.
Dr Umakant Ji Upadhyay grounded wisdom in everyday conduct and relationships. P. Rajagopalachari pointed towards the inner light and a heart full of love. S. N. Goenka reinforced the value of direct, unmediated experience. Later, Sadhguru's Isha programmes offered another perspective on inner exploration.
It is this thought that Richa has continued to shape through AUM Life. What began as a personal exploration of well-being and a belief in bringing these traditions into everyday life has gradually grown into a space shared by practitioners, teachers, seekers and a growing community.
Along the way, the work has also received recognition. At the ET Hospitality Icons, presented by The Times of India, AUM Life Urban Ashram was recognised as an Iconic Wellness Centre. Richa was also honoured at the Bharat 2.0 Conclave, Shakti Edition 2026, by The Enterprise World and Business Viewpoint, as Most Iconic Woman Transforming Holistic Wellness Excellence – 2026.
For Richa, these moments are less about the recognition itself and more about what they reflect. A reminder that something that began with a personal question and the desire to bring ancient wisdom into the rhythm of modern life continues to resonate with people in their own way.
None of these experiences was about finding one definitive path. Each offered something of its own, while gradually revealing a common thread. She began to ask – Could different spiritual paths, contemplative practices and approaches to well-being come together in a way that felt relevant to modern urban life?
And more importantly, could this depth of experience become part of everyday life, rather than something people encountered only when they stepped away from it?
India has a deep and living tradition of spiritual and contemplative practice. Yet for many people living in cities, engaging with these traditions meaningfully can require time away from work, family and everyday responsibilities.
The idea of an Urban Ashram emerged from a desire to bridge that gap. Not as a replacement for traditional ashrams or established practices, but as a space within the city where people could discover, experience and engage with them in a way that felt natural to their lives. Mumbai felt like a natural place to begin. A city shaped by movement, diversity and the coming together of different cultures, communities and ideas.
AUM Life brings that original thought into the present. A space where ancient wisdom and contemporary life can meet, and where the pursuit of well-being can become part of everyday living. It is intended to bring together practitioners, teachers, seekers and community, creating opportunities to pause, learn, explore and connect, without having to step away from the lives people are building.
