Source: 1000petals.wordpress.com
RUSSIA, May 20, 2009: The new Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, seems to be Russia’s most religiously oriented leader in a long time. In addition to his connection to the Russian Orthodox (Christian) Church, Medvedev is known for practicing yoga.
Medvedev, 42, is Russia’s first head of state to practice yoga. During the Soviet era, the ancient Indian practices were actually banned.
The Russian people have tended to follow their recent presidents into their interests, such as Yeltsin’s tennis and Putin’s judo; so Indian media expect that with the support of the new president, yoga in Russia will get a huge push. Some speculate that Medvedev’s practice of yoga could lead to Russia having more yoga schools than India.