Yoga diplomacy: Ahead of U.S. state visit, India's leader takes to his mat at the U.N.

Grab a mat.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi did just that Wednesday on the North Lawn Area outside the United Nations' headquarters in New York. Modi, who stopped by the U.N. on his way to Washington, where he'll be wined and dined and bilateral'd by President Joe Biden's White House as part of a state visit, showed off his yoga technique alongside diplomats, policymakers, members of the Indian American community and various bendy-aspiring U.N. types seeking to combine the body, mind, spirit and soul in the pursuit of health, balance and well-being.

Before getting down on all fours for some tadasana (mountain pose), malasana (garland pose) and other standing, balancing and seated poses, Modi said a few words. Not along after he became India's leader, in 2014, Modi convinced the U.N. to adopt a resolution declaring June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.