Hyderabad: Ever heard about meditating with puppies? People in the city can now practice Yoga having these fur balls around them, and totally get to have the most pawsome experience of their lifetime.
Nine such yoga classes were conducted in the city and will soon be held twice a month with the aim of adopting indie puppies, shelter pups that have been abandoned, mistreated, and require a permanent loving home, according to team Pawga, organisers of such sessions in the country.
The ticket per session is Rs 1,500 for an hour, and the proceeds will be used for treating rescued dogs. They added that it is okay to pay for tickets to practice yoga with the fur balls as they will be getting free hugs and kisses in return from them.
Since animals are widely used in therapy, the participants will not only benefit from a ‘pawfect’ experience, but it will also help them relax and unwind. Through these sessions, the participants will get closer to Indies and understand the pain the shelter puppies have gone through, said the team of three women organisers — Swathi Renugopal, Sinduja Krishnakumar and Subhashree Madhvan.
Another reason for beginning such a session will be to overcome the dread of dogs as well as sensitise the participants to embrace the indie dogs. The puppies could be initially frightened, but this only lasts for 10 to 15 minutes. “You will quickly notice the love they show you," added the team.
Both humans and dogs benefit from these sessions. It will improve both the mental health and the ability of traumatised and depressed animals to trust and find solace in people. In fact, studies have shown that pet bonding improves human health and fosters a better sense of community. “Pets undoubtedly enhance your happiness, and dogs in particular can reduce the sense of loneliness, lower stress, anxiety, and depression, encourage exercise, and generally help you become a more responsible person,” the team said.
While a few animal activists believe that pets can be taken as motivation during the sessions as they keep stretching frequently and we can learn from them and they also make exercising look fun and easy, others believe having puppies on the mat would not be a good idea as they are scared of humans and will only increase their anxiety.
“Not all know how to hold the puppies properly. They play with their tail; pull their ears which will further make the puppy feel uncomfortable. Dogs trained for therapy are better in yoga sessions as they understand your command and are trained in comforting a human being,” said Deven Baheti, animal activist in the city.
Yoga instructors on the other hand totally disliked the idea of having animals on the mat as Yoga requires more focus. “Out of the whole day, you just give one hour in exercising, then why make it a distraction? You are already distracted throughout the day with endless thoughts in your mind and puppies would just be another distraction. Pets are good for your mental health, but not on the mat,” said Therapeutic Yoga Instructor, Lavanya A.
