In this episode, Aneka sits down with Mahny Djahanguiri, the UK founder of Doga (Dog Yoga) and author of ‘Doga: Yoga for You and Your Dog’. Mahny shares her incredible journey, starting from her transformative experience volunteering with children at Kids Company to the serendipitous moment she discovered the healing power of yoga with dogs while living in Los Angeles. She opens up about how her rescue dog, Robbie, became the catalyst for Doga in the UK, leading to international media attention and an appearance on Britain's Got Talent. KEY TAKEAWAYS Doga wasn't just a business idea; it was born out of Mahny's personal need for healing and her discovery that dogs, like children, respond profoundly to calmness and consistency rather than forced control. Mahny’s dog Robbie came into her life in an extraordinary way, rescued from a difficult situation in the Middle East and essentially smuggled to safety, proving that the bond between human and dog often defies logic and borders. True Doga is about the owner and dog bonding in a calm, shared space. It is not about forcing dogs into poses or using them as props for social media, but rather about "passive activism" and mutual relaxation. Mahny strongly distinguishes her practice from the trendy "Puppy Yoga" classes, which often involve breeders, unvaccinated puppies, and stressful environments. She highlights the ethical concerns regarding animal welfare and treating living beings as commodities. Despite facing backlash or silence from some institutions, Mahny continues to speak out against unethical animal practices, using her platform to educate dog owners on the importance of verifying the source and welfare of animals in any ‘pet service’. BEST MOMENTS "I always said, 'Well, if I break it down and just work with one, then slowly just become me, become yoga, become calm. If I can become calm, it somehow starts working. There's a divine glue, there's a divine connection in that calmness.'" "It was all about being authentic and not trying too hard to create something or achieve something. The more you try to achieve something and get people involved, the less it would work." "You earn their respect that they felt safe with you. And how do you get that? Through consistency. Beginning, middle to end. Time. Show up, show up, show up." "I tell you why the UK government hasn't stopped it, because they're making money. It is very difficult to legislate for stupidity." "Puppy Yoga came from Ontario. It was clearly a platform to present breeds. It's a showcase. This is not about lifting puppies, they were showcasing them properly in Canada." ABOUT THE HOST Aneka Johnson, founder of The Cuddle Club and co-founder of London Dog Week, is a purpose-driven entrepreneur and devoted dog mum to her French bulldog, Chubbs. Her journey as a ‘pet-preneur’ began while battling health challenges, anxiety, and depression - until Chubbs changed her life. Aneka now inspires others through her relatable, uplifting approach to dog parenthood and therapy. Under Aneka's guidance, the Cuddle Club has been featured in prominent media outlets like London Live, The Lorraine Show, Forbes, Evening Standard, Marie Claire, Daily Mail, and BBC Radio London. www.thecuddleclubuk.com @anekajohnsonofficial
