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Mint
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
From pet yoga to yogalele, the rise of feel-good wellness experiences
A few years ago, when Chennai-based friends Sinduja Krishnakumar, Subhashree Madhavan and Swathi Renugopal watched Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner ditch her regular fitness routine for goat yoga, little did they know that it would spark an idea that was literally 'GOAT'. It sure wasn't winter that was coming, instead, it was the story of warmth, bonding and tail-wagging! 'We immediately thought why not combine yoga with dogs, especially the indie shelter ones that don't get a chance to bond with humans," recalls Krishnakumar who along with the other two went on to found Pawga, a pet yoga experience, in 2020. 'We tested the idea for a year before we launched and knew through our research that spending time with animals made humans release endorphins and reduce stress," she adds. The first session went on to become a resounding success and the rest, as they say, is history. 'The vibe was amazing and many people released their bottled-up emotions and relaxed. Even the puppies who were afraid of people were cuddling with the participants, by the end of it. That's when we knew we had done something great," says Krishnakumar whose team, since then, has organised their much-loved puppy yoga sessions across several venues in India to a full house. The trio, however, is not alone in this spirited pivot toward experiential wellness. Be it Van Gogh-themed yoga sessions that combine movement with immersive art; sound healing or water yoga, people are opening up to more forms of fitness nurturing the body, mind and soul in addition to creating joyful memories. Delhi-based entrepreneur and co-founder of Progcap, certified yoga teacher and mother to an infant, Pallavi Shrivastava found a seamless way to merge her love for mindful movement and music through 'yogalele' — a soulful blend of yoga and ukulele that she occasionally shares in intimate, heartfelt sessions. 'It happened quite organically. During the pandemic, I picked up the ukulele as a way to unwind. It brought rhythm and lightness during a heavy time," says Shrivastava. When her friend Christina Fernandes, who runs the Mahalo Ukulele Festival, invited her to lead a yoga session at the festival last year, everything just clicked. 'That's when I realised how beautifully the two practices complemented each other. Music lets us express freely while yoga teaches us to be present. Together, they create a space that's both grounding and joyful – a balance of breath and rhythm, intention and play." SPACES FOR JOYFUL WELLNESS As individuals find creative ways to personalise their wellness journeys, hospitality spaces too are evolving and embracing heart-led practices that are immersive, emotionally uplifting, and rooted in joy. Says Vinesh Gupta, General Manager, The Den Bengaluru, a luxury hotel which hosted a session of Pawga on International Yoga Day, 'Wellness is as much about emotional and mental well-being as it's about physical health. When we came across the concept of Pawga, which combines yoga with adorable and adoptable puppies, it immediately resonated with us. It went beyond the traditional notions of wellness and we partnered with them as part of our commitment to offering wellness experiences that are immersive, joyful, and impactful." For Anoopama Mukerjee Lohana,a spiritualist and wellness entrepreneur who has been practising yoga for over 30 years, any practice that gets one on the mat is a good start. 'Ultimately, what is yoga? Anything that brings balance to your body, breath, mind, emotions, and heart — that is yoga. For someone like Sachin Tendulkar, cricket is yoga," says the COO & experiential wellness director, Siddhayu Wellness Ayurveda, a wilderness wellness experience by Baidyanath in Tadoba and Gothangaon, Maharashtra. 'Everything is allowed in yoga as long as there's a balance. The practice, in its purity, reveals itself over time — how you show up, what you bring to it, shapes what it becomes for you," she adds. That said, she also believes that it's important to approach emerging trends with awareness and authenticity. 'Take trends like beer yoga, for instance — anything done in excess or deprivation is unsustainable. These are fads. What truly holds is something that nourishes your creative spirit, something that endures," she points out. Ultimately, in a wellness landscape buzzing with new ideas, it's clear that while the formats may evolve — from stretches with puppies to strumming a ukulele on the mat — what remains essential is intention. Whether you flow through asanas surrounded by art or find your stillness in silence, if the practice brings you joy, balance, and connection, that's what truly counts. Deepa Natarajan Lobo is an independent journalist based in Bengaluru.
News18
21-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- News18
Mango Magic: 3 Must-Try Recipes to Celebrate the King of Fruits
Last Updated: From a Kerala-style curry to elegant desserts, these mango-infused recipes capture the essence of summer on a plate. Celebrate the vibrant sweetness of mango season with three irresistible recipes that showcase the fruit's tropical charm in both savoury and sweet forms. From the tangy, spiced comfort of Mambazha Pulissery, a traditional Kerala mango curry, to the elegant Mango Almond Custard Tart with its creamy filling and delicate mango rosettes, and the rich, indulgent Mango Cheesecake topped with a refreshing compote—these dishes are a tribute to summer's golden bounty. Whether you crave nostalgic regional flavours or refined dessert creations, these recipes are perfect for festive gatherings or leisurely indulgence. Bring the sunshine to your table, one mango at a time. Chef Vineeth Jayan, Executive Chef, The Den Bengaluru shares 3 recipes for the season: Mambazha Pulissery (Kerala-Style Mango Curry) 300 gm ripe mangoes (Totapuri, Ratnagiri, or Kilichundan varieties work well) 200 gm yoghurt, whisked 100 gm coconut milk (optional, for richness) 50 gm fresh coconut paste 5 gm cumin seeds 5 gm mustard seeds 2 gm fenugreek seeds 2 gm dry red chilli 3 gm turmeric powder 10 gm curry leaves 10 gm coconut oil Heat coconut oil in a heavy-bottomed pan or earthenware pot. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add cumin seeds, dry red chillies, fenugreek seeds, and curry leaves, allowing the spices to release their aroma. Add the diced mangoes and sauté gently until they soften. Lower the heat and stir in the whisked yoghurt, coconut milk, coconut paste, turmeric, and salt. Add a little hot water to adjust the consistency if needed. Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer until the mangoes are fully tender and the curry has thickened. Garnish with fresh curry leaves and serve hot with steamed rice or soft chapatis. Mango Almond Custard Tart A tropical twist on a classic tart, this dessert features a buttery lime-scented tart shell filled with a light almond milk custard folded with mango purée, topped with fresh mango rosettes and microgreens. For the tart base: 280 gm refined flour 2 gm salt 150 gm butter 100 gm castor sugar 50 ml milk Zest of 1 lime Cream the butter and sugar lightly, then mix in the flour, salt, and lime zest. Gradually add the milk and knead gently into a dough. Chill for 30–40 minutes. Roll the dough and line a tart tin. Bake at 170°C for 20–25 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely. For the mango almond custard filling: 100 ml almond milk 15 gm custard powder 20 gm castor sugar 150 gm whipping cream 50 gm fresh mango purée Boil almond milk with custard powder and sugar. Let the mixture cool. Separately, whip the cream to soft peaks. Mix mango purée into the cooled custard, then gently fold into the whipped cream. Assembly: Pour the custard filling into the cooled tart shell. Refrigerate for 15–20 minutes until set. Thinly slice two ripe mangoes and arrange into rosettes over the tart. Garnish with fresh microgreens and serve chilled. Mango Cheesecake Serves: 4 This indulgent mango cheesecake blends rich cream cheese with mango purée and a buttery biscuit crust, topped with a fresh mango-lime compote. For the crust: 300 gm graham cracker or Marie Gold biscuit crumbs 100 gm melted butter Mix the biscuit crumbs and melted butter until well combined. Press firmly into a 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 165°C for 10 minutes and set aside to cool. For the cheesecake filling: 400 gm cream cheese (Philadelphia or mascarpone, softened) 100 gm sugar 110 gm eggs (approx. 2 large eggs) 150 gm sour cream 5 gm vanilla extract 200 gm mango purée Beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Mix in sour cream, vanilla, and mango purée until fully combined. Pour the batter over the crust and bake for 55–60 minutes at 165°C until the edges are set and the center is slightly jiggly. Cool completely. For the topping: 200 gm diced fresh mango 20 gm sugar top videos View all 10 gm lemon juice Mix the diced mango with sugar and lemon juice. Spoon over the cooled cheesecake. Chill for at least 4 hours or overnight before slicing and serving. The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : alphonso mangoes latest news lifestyle mango recipes Mangoes news18 Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 21, 2025, 11:39 IST News lifestyle » food Mango Magic: 3 Must-Try Recipes to Celebrate the King of Fruits
