A Chennai Yoga Class Is Connecting Stray Dogs With New Homes

By Mervin Preethi 11 April 2025

Imagine a yoga class with puppies playing all around you. That’s Pawga — where wellness meets wagging tails!

Founded in 2020 by three friends --- Subhashree Madhavan, Sinduja Krishnakumar, and Swathi Renugopal --- Pawga blends 'Paws' and 'Yoga' to promote adoption of Indian mongrels through fun, heartwarming sessions.

“As pet lovers and frequent volunteers at animal shelters, we saw firsthand the countless strays 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.

“We specifically bring in Indie breeds for our sessions,” says Subhashree. “They’re often overlooked but make loyal, loving pets.”

Indian mongrels are wrongly labelled as ‘street dogs’. Pawga helps change that by showcasing their affectionate, playful side.

“We don’t teach complex asanas as that can be uncomfortable to do with the puppies around; it can be dangerous for them as well,” Subhashree says.

“Sometimes the pets tend to sleep on the participant’s lap, which is so heart-warming to watch,” she smiles.

Over 130 strays have found loving homes via these sessions happening in Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and other cities. “It’s the puppies who choose you,” says Dinesh, who adopted Rocky in 2022.

Finding forever homes

The workshops partner with shelters like Blue Cross, raising awareness about sterilisation and responsible pet care. ‘Events like Pawga’s workshops help tackle issues by finding homes for these dogs, and educating the public,” shares Velu TM, from Blue Cross.

“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.