Vladimir Putin is about to conquer unchartered territory. On Wednesday, Russia's president promised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he was going to try yoga. While Putin has bragged about his athletic feats — which The New York Times says include "down[ing] a charging tiger with a tranquilizer dart," scoring eight goals in an hockey match with N.H.L. players at the 2014 Winter Olympics, and holding a black belt in judo — he's been too intimidated to attempt the ancient practice.
A charging tiger might not scare Putin, but a downward dog certainly seems to. "I will see what my level of fitness allows," Putin told Modi. "But when you see real yogis, it seems that it would be impossible to reach that kind of skill, and that's what stops me." Namaste, Putin.
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