Paws and Pose: NDRF’s Trained Dog Leads the Way in Yoga Ahead of International Day
Paws and Pose: NDRF’s Trained Dog Leads the Way in Yoga Ahead of International Day
In a heartwarming display of discipline and harmony, a specially trained dog from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) joined personnel in a unique yoga session at the 13th Battalion campus in Sui, Udhampur—just a day ahead of the 11th International Yoga Day.
While over 50 NDRF team members gathered to perform various yoga asanas, all eyes were on the unlikely yet incredibly graceful participant—an adopted dog who mirrored every move with surprising precision and calmness. From nailing the iconic “downward dog” pose to executing balancing stretches with poise, the four-legged yogi quickly became the star of the session.
The dog, now a beloved member of the battalion, has been trained consistently over two years. According to NDRF officials, the journey from stray to star yogi is not just a tale of transformation but a lesson in what patience, practice, and compassion can achieve. “If a stray dog can learn yoga, what’s stopping us humans from embracing it?” quipped one team member, as reported by ANI.
#WATCH | J&K | A dog trained by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) emerges as the surprise star of a special Yoga session held, ahead of the 11th International Yoga Day, at the campus of the 13th Battalion at Sui, Udhampur today
— ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2025
The dog was adopted and trained by NDRF… pic.twitter.com/HSvJOx89vV
This special event was part of a nationwide build-up to International Yoga Day, which is celebrated annually on June 21—a date chosen for its coincidence with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The solstice symbolizes renewal, energy, and alignment with nature, all of which reflect the foundational values of yoga.
The celebration of yoga on a global scale traces back to 2014, when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea during his address at the United Nations General Assembly. The UN responded swiftly, officially declaring June 21 as the International Day of Yoga, backed by 175 member countries.
This year, the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health” emphasizes the interdependence of human well-being and planetary health. India is marking the day with a series of 10 unique campaigns across the country, such as Yoga Sangam, Yoga Bandhan, Harit Yoga, Yoga Samavesh, Yoga Mahakumbh, and Yoga Unplugged, among others. The main aim is to highlight the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of yoga, promoting unity between body, mind, and environment.
Among the standout initiatives is ‘Yoga Sangam’, which will bring together practitioners at 1,00,000 locations nationwide. The celebration will culminate in a grand public event in Andhra Pradesh on June 21, where over three lakh people are expected to perform yoga together along a 26-kilometer stretch from RK Beach in Visakhapatnam to Bhogapuram. Prime Minister Modi will be present, and the event is being positioned to earn a spot in the Guinness World Records.
As the countdown to Yoga Day continues, this inspiring yoga session in Udhampur—with a canine yogi leading the way—reminds us that yoga transcends boundaries of species, age, or background. It’s not just a practice but a way of life that connects individuals to nature, to one another, and to themselves.
