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Half frog or cobra pose? Russia's Putin eyes next challenge, tells Indian PM he'll try yoga

Associated Press
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Russia's President Vladimir Putin listens to Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi, left, in Ufa, Russia, Wednesday, July 8, 2015. Ufa hosts SOC (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summits. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi, listens to Russia's President Vladimir Putin during their talks, in Ufa, Russia, Wednesday, July 8, 2015. Ufa hosts SOC (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summits. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, pool) (The Associated Press)

He's flown with cranes, petted a polar bear and tranquilized a tiger. Now Vladimir Putin is ready to face the Downward Dog.

In a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Russian city of Ufa, the Russian president said Wednesday he wants to try out the discipline of yoga.

Putin, speaking through a translator as the two met for a summit of the BRICS economic group, said "this is a very appealing kind of sport. I will consider what I can do in yoga, based on what I do in sports."

Putin often shows himself as athletic and adventurous, engaging in judo bouts or arranging encounters with wild animals. In one incident, he reportedly shot a tranquilizer dart at a tiger that charged his group in a forest.