As preventive healthcare becomes increasingly important, the need for solutions that combine wellness expertise with accessible technology continues to grow. At the center of this movement is Muralidhar Somisetty, Founder and CEO, Wellnesys Technologies (YogiFi), whose entrepreneurial journey began with a life-changing personal experience.
After overcoming a serious back condition through guided Yoga therapy, Muralidhar recognized a challenge faced by millions of practitioners worldwide: the lack of expert guidance during independent practice. Leveraging 25 years of technology experience and formal Yoga training, he founded YogiFi, the world’s first AI-powered Smart Yoga Mat that delivers real-time posture guidance without cameras or wearables.
Today, YogiFi serves practitioners across 24 countries and has earned global recognition for its contribution to wellness technology. In this cover story, Muralidhar Somisetty shares the experiences, milestones, and leadership principles that continue to shape his mission of making guided Yoga more accessible worldwide.
When healing inspired a global mission?
Entrepreneurial journeys often begin with identifying a market opportunity. For Muralidhar, the inspiration came through a deeply personal experience that changed the course of his life and ultimately led to the creation of YogiFi.
After spending years in demanding technology leadership roles at Siemens and Cisco Systems, Muralidhar developed a severe back condition that significantly affected his quality of life. Medical experts advised surgery as the recommended solution. Determined to explore every possible alternative, he sought a second opinion and discovered S-VYASA, the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana in Bengaluru.
What followed became a defining chapter in his journey. Through a structured and guided Yoga therapy program, his condition improved substantially, eliminating the need for surgery. The experience reshaped his perspective on wellness and revealed the transformative impact of correct Yoga practice.
As he immersed himself further in the discipline, completing the Yoga Instructors Course at S-VYASA and achieving a perfect score in theory and pranayama, one challenge became increasingly clear. Millions of people practiced Yoga without access to expert guidance, making it difficult to maintain proper posture and technique.
Recognizing this gap, Muralidhar combined 25 years of technology expertise with his growing understanding of Yoga. The result was YogiFi, the world’s first AI-powered Smart Yoga Mat that delivers real-time guidance through embedded intelligence, without cameras or wearables.
Reflecting on the vision that inspired the company, Muralidhar Somisetty says, “If Yoga could change my life through the right guidance, I believed technology could make that same guidance accessible to millions of people across the world.”
That belief continues to shape his mission of bringing expert Yoga instruction into every home through accessible and intelligent technology.
The defining moment that sparked Yogifi’s creation
Every entrepreneurial venture has a defining moment, and for Muralidhar, that moment emerged when a personal health challenge revealed a larger problem affecting millions of Yoga practitioners worldwide.
Challenge
While the wellness industry experienced rapid growth, Muralidhar identified a critical gap that existing solutions failed to address. Fitness wearables measured activity, meditation apps offered content, and online Yoga videos attracted millions of users. Yet none could verify whether a practitioner was performing Yoga correctly. The absence of real-time feedback, personalization, and posture validation limited outcomes and increased the risk of incorrect practice.
At the same time, Muralidhar’s own experience with a severe back condition had revealed the life-changing value of guided Yoga therapy. He recognized that access to expert instruction remained limited for many people worldwide.
Action
Determined to bridge this gap, Muralidhar Somisetty combined his technology expertise with his Yoga training and founded Wellnesys Technologies in 2018. He introduced YogiFi, the world’s first AI-powered Smart Yoga Mat, designed with embedded pressure sensors capable of evaluating more than 100 asanas in real time. The solution provided instant feedback on posture, balance, and alignment while preserving user privacy through a camera-free and wearable-free experience.
Outcome
Under Muralidhar’s leadership, YogiFi has expanded into a comprehensive wellness platform available across iOS, Android, and Samsung Smart TV. The company serves users in 24 countries and supports over 10,000 practitioners globally. International recognition through the CES Innovation Award and acknowledgments from leading institutions and publications have positioned YogiFi as a notable name in wellness technology.
What began as Muralidhar’s search for healing has grown into a platform that is impacting Yoga practitioners across the world.
Why technology and mindfulness must work together?
Muralidhar Somisetty believes healthcare is reaching a critical juncture. Rising cases of lifestyle-related conditions, including diabetes, back disorders, cardiovascular concerns, and mental health challenges, are placing increasing pressure on traditional treatment-focused systems. In his view, preventive healthcare has become an essential requirement rather than an optional choice.
He considers Yoga one of the most effective preventive practices because it addresses physical health, breathing, and mental wellbeing through a single discipline. However, consistent and correct practice remains the key to achieving meaningful outcomes.
This is where Muralidhar sees technology playing a valuable role. Rather than replacing human experience, technology should quietly support it. By helping individuals maintain regular practice and providing guidance on correct execution, it can improve the effectiveness of wellness routines without becoming a distraction.
Reflecting on this balance, Muralidhar says, “Technology and mindfulness are not opposing forces. When used responsibly, technology can support consistency and correctness while allowing people to stay fully present in their practice.”
That philosophy shapes YogiFi’s approach. The technology works in the background, monitoring performance and offering guidance while allowing practitioners to remain focused on their Yoga practice. For Muralidhar, the future of preventive wellness lies in creating harmony between mindful living and intelligent support systems.
A smarter approach to personalized yoga practice
Muralidhar Somisetty believes effective wellness technology should answer a simple question: Is the practitioner performing the practice correctly? This principle continues to shape every aspect of the YogiFi experience.
What others measure:
- Cameras track movement but can raise privacy concerns in personal spaces.
- Wearables monitor metrics such as heart rate and sleep patterns.
- Content platforms recommend what users should practice next.
What yogifi measures:
- Body contact points during each asana.
- Weight distribution and balance.
- Posture accuracy in real time.
- Alignment quality throughout the session.
How personalization happens:
Using embedded pressure sensors within the Smart Yoga Mat, YogiFi evaluates more than 100 asanas and provides instant corrective feedback. As users continue practicing, the platform builds an individual performance profile, identifies patterns, and tailors guidance according to their progress.
Beyond individual practice:
Muralidhar expanded this capability through a dedicated therapist dashboard that allows wellness professionals to assign programs, monitor adherence, and track outcomes remotely across multiple users.
“Technology should help practitioners understand their practice better while keeping the experience simple, personal, and effective,” says Muralidhar.
Under Muralidhar’s leadership, this approach has enabled YogiFi to deliver personalized Yoga guidance at scale while preserving the quality of expert instruction.
The strategy behind Yogifi’s long-term growth
Muralidhar Somisetty believes that long-term success depends on maintaining a careful balance between growth, quality, and user impact.
- Keep expertise at the core: Muralidhar ensured that product development remained closely connected to Yoga science. Teams building the platform understood correct asana practice, allowing quality and authenticity to remain central as the company expanded.
- Build for the future early: Even during YogiFi’s early stages in Bengaluru, Muralidhar invested in a technology foundation capable of supporting global expansion. This enabled growth into new markets without repeatedly rebuilding the platform.
- Choose collaboration wisely: Muralidhar believes lasting success comes through strategic partnerships. His collaboration with S-VYASA University combined established Yoga research with technology expertise, creating greater value for users.
- Protect the user experience: Above all, Muralidhar has maintained a disciplined approach to growth. He prioritizes meaningful outcomes for practitioners and avoids opportunities that could dilute product quality.
“Growth is valuable only when the product continues to deliver genuine value to the people who use it,”
Muralidhar explains.
The digital tools supporting product and business growth
Muralidhar Somisetty approaches technology as a practical decision-making tool that supports every stage of YogiFi’s operations.
| Focus Area | How Muralidhar Somisetty Uses It | Business Impact |
| Product Performance | Analyzes real-time session data to evaluate asanas, posture quality, and corrective feedback. | Improves accuracy and user outcomes. |
| User Engagement | Reviews program participation, completion patterns, and correction trends. | Helps identify areas requiring clearer guidance and content improvements. |
| Personalized Experiences | Studies individual practice behavior to recommend relevant programs and learning paths. | Creates a more tailored user journey. |
| Leadership Decisions | Assesses therapist dashboard insights across different user groups. | Guides investment priorities, program development, and partnership opportunities. |
“The most valuable insights come from understanding how people actually practice, not from assumptions about how they should practice,” says Muralidhar.
This evidence-based approach helps Muralidhar Somisetty align product development with real user needs and measurable outcomes.
The milestone that opened global doors
For Muralidhar, January 2020 marks the defining milestone that significantly elevated YogiFi’s position in the global wellness technology sector.
2020 | Global recognition
- YogiFi received the prestigious CES Innovation Award at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
- The achievement made YogiFi the first Indian startup to earn this recognition.
- During the same event, YogiFi secured Disney’s Best of CES and the TWICE Picks Award for Best and Most Influential Consumer Tech.
- The product was selected among the top 80 innovations showcased by more than 5,700 exhibitors, alongside globally recognized technology companies.
What it represented
- A product conceived and developed in Bengaluru.
- A solution inspired by India’s Yoga heritage.
- Recognition earned on one of the world’s most influential technology platforms.
What followed
- Greater credibility with global partners and distributors.
- Faster trust-building within international markets.
- New opportunities for strategic conversations with leading technology companies.
2022 to 2026 | Building on momentum
- Prime Minister’s visit to the YogiFi exhibit during International Day of Yoga 2022 in Mysuru.
- Multiple recognitions from the Ministry of AYUSH.
- Features in leading national and international publications.
- Recognition among the Ministry of AYUSH Top 5 Startups at the WHO Global Summit 2025.
- Participation at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026, one of Asia’s prominent innovation platforms.
“The CES recognition changed how the world viewed YogiFi and gave us the confidence to think bigger,” Muralidhar Somisetty emphasises.
For Muralidhar, this milestone transformed YogiFi from a promising Indian startup into a globally recognized innovator in wellness technology.
The success code: Let experience lead the innovation
Muralidhar’s guiding principle:
“Solve a problem you have lived through yourself.”
This belief continues to shape Muralidhar’s approach to entrepreneurship and decision-making. Throughout his journey, he has evaluated ideas, products, and opportunities through a simple lens: would the solution have genuinely helped him when he faced the challenge himself?
That perspective has kept his attention on real user needs and practical outcomes. It has encouraged thoughtful product development and prevented distractions that offer little value to the people being served.
“The best products come from a deep understanding of a problem, not from chasing trends,” shares Muralidhar.
For him, personal experience remains one of the most reliable foundations for building solutions that create lasting impact.
The alliances powering Yogifi’s next chapter
As YogiFi enters its next phase of growth, Muralidhar is pursuing opportunities that align with the company’s long-term vision for accessible and evidence-based wellness.
| Priority Area | Strategic Direction |
| Product Advancement | Muralidhar Somisetty is expanding YogiFi’s capabilities through vitals tracking, breathing analysis, and deeper personalization to provide a broader view of individual wellness. |
| Healthcare Partnerships | He is exploring collaborations with healthcare providers and insurance organizations to integrate structured Yoga therapy into preventive health and corporate wellness programs. |
| Global Expansion | Muralidhar is focused on increasing YogiFi’s presence across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Participation at SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 supported relationship-building efforts across the Asia Pacific region. |
| Research Collaborations | Continued engagement with academic and research institutions remains a priority to support evidence-based Yoga applications within healthcare-related sectors. |
For Muralidhar, the next chapter centers on expanding access to credible, technology-enabled preventive wellness solutions across global markets.
Staying ahead while staying grounded
As wellness and technology continue to advance, Muralidhar Somisetty follows a structured approach that helps YogiFi remain current while staying true to its core purpose.
Muralidhar’s formula for long-term relevance:
Global Exposure + User Feedback + Research Validation + Purpose-Driven Culture = Sustainable Growth
- Global Exposure: Muralidhar regularly participates in international platforms such as CES, SusHi Tech Tokyo, the India AI Impact Summit, and the WHO Global Summit. These engagements help him understand emerging industry priorities and market expectations.
- User Feedback: Insights gathered through YogiFi’s platform help Muralidhar identify user needs, practice patterns, and areas that require greater attention.
- Research Validation: His collaboration with S-VYASA University keeps YogiFi closely connected to authentic Yoga science and evidence-based practices.
- Purpose-Driven Culture: Muralidhar ensures that every team member understands the company’s mission and the impact it seeks to create. This shared sense of purpose keeps the organization aligned as it grows.
“The strongest companies stay connected to both the people they serve and the purpose they pursue,” reflects Muralidhar.
By combining market awareness with a clear sense of purpose, Muralidhar continues to position YogiFi for sustained relevance and long-term impact.
