Problem

Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest systems of health, yet it’s often misunderstood, oversimplified, or presented as a one-size-fits-all lifestyle. While many wellness apps offer generic advice, few offer authentic, constitution-based guidance rooted in classical Ayurvedic theory. We saw an opportunity to create a digital experience that respected the complexity of Ayurveda while making it practical and personal.

Challenge

The core challenge was balancing depth and accessibility. We needed to honor traditional Ayurvedic frameworks—like prakriti, vikriti, the doshas, and seasonal rhythms—without overwhelming new users. We also had to account for personalized experiences, where every user’s constitution and current imbalance dynamically influenced recommendations.

Process

We began with an in-depth exploration of classical Ayurvedic texts, consulting certified practitioners and exploring peer-reviewed models for constitution analysis. From there, we mapped a comprehensive onboarding flow that introduces users to foundational concepts while capturing the nuanced data needed to determine prakriti (constitutional type) and vikriti (current imbalance).

The app’s core feature became a Daily Insight Card—offering personalized food, movement, rest, and mindfulness recommendations based on a user’s constitution, current state, and environmental conditions. These cards update daily after a lightweight check-in covering mood, digestion, sleep, energy, and elimination.

Throughout the design process, we prioritized clarity, spiritual depth, and usability. Sanskrit terms are included with translations to preserve authenticity. Visual design leans on elemental symbolism and clean typography, aiming to feel timeless, grounded, and calming.

Tactics

• Designed and prototyped a personalized daily guidance system using Ayurvedic logic (prakriti + vikriti + environment)
• Developed an intake flow for constitution discovery, including sliders, preference patterns, and experimental AI-driven photo analysis (tongue, hand, face)
• Created a seasonal engine based on Ayurvedic ritu sandhi principles and local weather data
• Built a flexible practice tracker that allows users to commit to daily and weekly habits and monitor trends over time
• Prototyped smart notifications aligned with doshic time-of-day cycles (e.g., Pitta midday, Vata dusk)
• Used AI to assist with tongue diagnostics and potential misalignment alerts between reported state and dosha cycle

Outcomes

Paathya remains an active prototype under development. Early test users responded positively to the blend of mysticism, clarity, and actionable insights. By integrating classical Ayurveda with modern product design and lightweight AI, we’ve created a platform that feels personal, purposeful, and rooted. Our next steps include finalizing the MVP, onboarding beta users, and preparing for a soft launch in Q3 2025.

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