Imagine a yoga class unlike any other. Soft light fills the room as you flow through poses, but you’re not alone. Playful puppies frolic around, their curious noses nudging and tiny tails wagging.
This heartwarming interaction is more than just a unique yoga experience — it embodies Pawga’s deeper purpose of merging wellness with animal welfare. By creating a space where humans and animals connect, they not only promote mental and physical well-being but also inspire education and action toward giving these animals the loving homes they deserve.
How it all began
In December 2020, three undergraduate friends — Subhashree Madhavan, Sinduja Krishnakumar, and Swathi Renugopal — embarked on a bold journey to redefine pet adoption in India.
“As pet lovers and frequent volunteers at animal shelters, we saw firsthand the countless stray puppies and kittens who lacked loving homes. We were determined to make a difference and offer these innocent creatures a better life,” shares Subhashree, the founder of Pawga.
Their eight-month research uncovered a unique idea. “We noticed that in some countries, people often did yoga with their pets for fun,” Subhashree explains. “We wanted to adapt the concept so that it becomes beneficial primarily for the pets.” Thus, Pawga (a blend of ‘Paws’ and ‘Yoga’) was born.
Their first workshop, held during the pandemic in Chennai, featured 12 participants and puppies from Blue Cross of India. Subhashree recalls, “I was thrilled to see everyone enjoy the session, both playing with the pets and learning yoga. It gave us the confidence to take this forward.”
What started as a small, experimental event has grown into a transformative initiative promoting adoption and animal welfare. Over the past four years, the organisation has been successful in conducting various workshops and activities with pets in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, and Bengaluru, and has been able to find a home for over 130 stray animals.
Championing Indian mongrels
At its heart, Pawga seeks to create a society where every animal is valued and cared for. A key focus is facilitating animal welfare along with the adoption of pets that the participants perform yoga with. The shelters provide them with stray animals who are up for adoption for the sessions as well.
Indian mongrels have long been unfairly labelled as ‘street dogs’, with misconceptions about their temperament and suitability as pets. This bias is challenged by featuring these dogs in their workshops.
“We specifically bring in Indie breeds for our sessions,” says Subhashree. “While we have nothing against labrador or golden retrievers; Indie breeds, we feel, need more attention.”
Velu TM, Operations and Communications Manager at Blue Cross highlights the issue. “Every street has more stray dogs than it can manage, and they multiply quickly due to the lack of sterilisation. Events like Pawga’s workshops help tackle issues by finding homes for these dogs, and educating the public.”
By showcasing their playful, affectionate, and resilient nature, their attempt at reframing public perception has been successful, demonstrating that Indian mongrels are just as capable of being loyal, loving companions as any other breed.
“We don’t teach complex asanas as that can be uncomfortable to do with the pet; it can be dangerous for the pets as well,” Subhashree says, stressing on how animal welfare and safety are prioritised before everything.
Meanwhile, the animals benefit from gentle affection and interaction, helping them build trust and confidence — key to their socialisation and eventual adoption. “The pets are kept in a confined space in the shelter with minimal human interaction. This could be normal for some pets, but for the abandoned animals, it would create worry, which will be reflected in their attitude,” says Subhashree.
Initially when the pets come in, they get scared due to the new environment. But as they get accustomed to the people, they become extremely comfortable, shares Subhashree. “Sometimes the pets tend to sleep on the participant’s lap, which is so heart-warming to watch,” she smiles.
The participants as well, are very accommodating to the pets and engage accordingly. “Sometimes the pets pee and poop on the mats, and the participants clean it up without any hesitation or frustration, showcasing their love and care for these animals,” Subhashree adds.
“As an active feeder for pets, I liked what Pawga was aiming to do for animals, which encouraged me to attend the workshop,” shares 23-year-old Dinesh, who runs a sports-related business in Chennai.
“For the pets’ comfort, we also don’t add more people for a single session. The maximum we go for is 20 as this gives more breathing space for both the participants and the pets,” Subhashree adds.
Partnering with shelters
Pawga’s collaboration with local animal shelters in the desired city, including Blue Cross, is integral to its mission. “When Pawga first approached us, we were sceptical about how this concept would work, especially during the pandemic,” recalls Velu. “But when we saw the passion behind their idea of finding homes for pets through yoga, we decided to give it a chance.”
Blue Cross provides puppies and kittens for the workshops that happen in Chennai, which is their main location, and together, they teach participants about essential practices like the Animal Birth Control (ABC) operation for dogs and cats. “We encourage attendees to take stray dogs in their locality to vets for neutering to curb the growing stray population,” says Subhashree.
The workshops have proven effective in raising awareness. Many participants return to the shelter, eager to adopt or find other ways to help.
“I took home the puppy that chose me, after all, it’s the pets who chose you. I am glad that in a small way, I could help the shelter,” shares Dinesh, who adopted Rocky, his dog in 2022 via Pawga.
Demonstrating their commitment to animal welfare, Pawga dedicates a portion of the registration fee for each workshop (Rs 950) to directly support animal shelters, covering essential expenses such as transportation and overall well-being.
While being supporters of collaborative work, the trio also makes sure to work with organisations, whose values align with Pawga’s. “We don’t engage with brands that use our workshop to gain attraction or revenue for their brand. We don’t collaborate with the breeder communities as well for the same reason,” Subhashree asserts.
Responsible adoption practices
Subhashree prioritises finding the right homes for the animals over simply increasing adoption numbers. “While I would love for every pet to be adopted, I don’t want the pet to suffer under a new person as pet parenting is not something everybody can do. You require passion, patience, and most importantly, care towards your pet,” she says.
“People need to understand pets are not dolls. They are not disposable. Only if they are 100% sure should they adopt and not for the sake of it,” Dinesh adds.
Shelters vet candidates based on their age, living situation, and experience with pets. “Adoption is a meaningful process. We emphasise that taking care of a pet is a lifetime commitment. Some people are up for it, while some hesitate at the last moment and back out of the process,” adds Velu.
The appropriate procedure involves signing adoption documents and follow-up visits from the shelters’ side to ensure the pets are receiving proper care even after a few months. “Our team ensures that each adopted pet’s basic and medical needs are met by the owner,” says Velu.
“Rocky has added so much joy to our family that he doesn’t feel like a dog, he’s more of a member of our family. My mom feeds him first and then serves us food, that’s how close he is,” shares Dinesh, highlighting the importance of finding the right home for the pets.
For those unable to adopt a pet physically, Pawga promotes virtual adoption. This initiative allows individuals to financially support a pet’s food and medical expenses, while the shelter provides a safe space for the animal. “Virtual adoption is particularly beneficial for pets who are paraplegic or blind, as they require extra care and an appropriate space for maintenance,” explains Velu.
“From Pawga’s side, we have also adopted one horse through virtual adoption,” says Subhashree, who is practising what the organisation preaches.
“We believe that if every family adopts one dog, there won’t be stray dogs in the first place,” Velu emphasises. Pawga’s efforts, from experiential adoption drives to education on responsible pet care, are making significant strides in transforming the way people view and treat stray animals.
With their innovative approach, Pawga is not just finding homes for animals but also bringing in the ‘pawsitive’ attitudes, one yoga session at a time!
Want to experience this wholesome experience? Click here for more details on Pawga.
Edited by Arunava Banerjee; All images courtesy Pawga
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