Yoga and its benefits are no hidden secret. In the recent past we have seen an increasing inclination towards yoga and meditation, especially during the unfortunate and rather difficult COVID times. People were drawn to the benefits of this ancient practice and have experienced some fabulous changes in their mental and as well in their physical health.
Startups and yoga gurus have seen the potential in this opportunity that the people have given them. Ever since then, they have been trying to come up with newer and more fun ways to keep people engaged in yoga and have also tried to turn the image of yoga being “slow and boring” around, while maintaining the originality and sanctity of this beautiful practice.
In doing so a start-up in Hyderabad called ‘PAWGA’ has come up with an extremely innovative way to grab everyone’s attention, especially if you are an animal lover, you shall enjoy every bit of this experience. ‘Pawga’ has gone ahead and combined the goodness of yoga with the joy of playing with pets.
‘Pawga’ does not promise the quintessential method of practicing yoga the calm way but they present it to their customers with a twist.
Puppies and kittens distracting you, playing with you, chewing your hair while you hold your downward dog pose and in general just trying to have fun with you. At ‘Pawga’ you will not be given a certification but what they have in store is a relaxed and a fun experience, an experience that will change the way you look at yoga.
Yoga with pets around has tasted great success in countries like the UK and Canada, ‘Pawga’ wanted to bring this culture to India as well and with an even greater intention and cause. It not only aims to give you this unique experience but also strives to help shelter animals, animals that do not really have a home. The tickets people buy to attend one such session goes towards the welfare of these shelter fur-babies, not just that, this also helps these animals socialize which is crucial for their development in a healthy manner.
The next big question that crosses one’s mind is ‘so what’s in it for me’? well, this startup has catered for that as well. With the kind of hectic and fast paced lives we all lead nowadays, eventually does take a toll on the best of us. Issues like stress, anxiety and even depression creep in and let us not forget how it can get lonely too, at times. Practicing yoga with animals is proven to reduce stress and anxiety levels, it helps with depression and eases loneliness, they have brought in the best of yoga instructors who are highly qualified and experienced to guide their clients through these sessions.
Their goal is clear as day, they want people to come, enjoy and have a good time rejuvenating themselves, you do not have to be a professional to attend these sessions, they carter for all groups, beginners, armatures and even kids. Considering the fact that this startup began during the COVID times, they have made it their responsibility to take care of those to sign up for their sessions. Mats and other kinds of equipment go through a sensitization process post each session and one can carry their own mat if they please.
Though this start up is based out of Hyderabad, they keep having regular pop-ups in cities like Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai.
Another important fact that this start-up aims to put out is the ancient method through which our yoga asans got their names. It is believed that sages back in the day would go out and take inspiration from mother nature and then name asans as we know them today, for instance the ‘Matsya (fish) asan’ or ‘Bhujang (cobra) asan’.
Most of the postures we know and practise today are derived from animals and close a study of them. Pawga reminds us how animals are connected to people and have a relevance and connection with yoga too.
Such out of the box innovations and ideas give a new sense of direction to our traditional methods of practicing yoga, this not only supports animals and their well-being along with ours, but also makes it look attractive and maybe even lures people into adopting this idea and not forgetting this gift called yoga.
DISCLAIMER: This article reflects author’s view point. Goa Chronicle may or may not subscribe to views of the author.
