Nagpur: Yoga mats were rolled out, not only for people but also for their puppies. On Sunday, a cosy cafe in the city turned into a wellness retreat for a dog yoga session, blending movement, mental calm, and wagging tails!The event drew in participants across age groups, including content creators, students, professionals and even those scared of dogs. “I am scared of dogs, but these pups are so cute. I feel refreshed after the session,” said Palak Ahuja, one of the attendees. The session began with light yoga asanas led by a certified instructor and ended with a wholesome cuddle session with puppies brought in by a local animal welfare NGO, DayOff. The event didn’t just aim to ease stress; it also carried a cause, raising awareness around the adoption of Indian breed dogs, who are often overlooked in favour of pedigrees. NGO founders, Gunjyot Tuli (19), Arshpreet Puri (18), and Vishakha Adtani (19) said the idea was to provide relief for stressed-out minds. “Everyone’s always hustling. Even one hour of peace, movement, and puppy love can refresh someone’s mood. That’s a win for us,” Gunjyot said. Though there were no adoptions of puppies this time, the event sparked conversations.The NGO even offered support to those unsure about long-term commitment, promising that if things don’t work out, the dogs could be returned safely instead of being abandoned.”We just want to normalise the idea of doing something that feels good without guilt,” said Vishakha. “Everyone is stressed: housewives, kids, working adults. Puppies aren’t just cute, they’re little bursts of serotonin.”First-timers Ria Kriplani and Shivani Patil agreed. “We had such a great time. Yoga was so much fun!” “We wanted people to leave with a full heart, and they did,” said Arshpreet. With wellness experiences like sound baths and mindful workshops next in the pipeline, DayOff is quietly shaping a new kind of morning culture in Nagpur, one that includes dogs, deep breaths, and doing absolutely nothing for an hour without feeling bad about it.
