Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla shared a video demonstrating yoga and gymnastics movements while aboard the International Space Station (ISS) [1].
As the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS through a private mission, Shukla's activities highlight the physical adaptations required for long-term space habitation. His experience provides a rare glimpse into the daily routines and health maintenance of crew members in orbit.
Shukla recorded the footage during his 18-day stay [1] on the station as part of the Axiom-4 private mission [2]. In the video, he performs a series of poses and movements that appear fluid in the weightless environment but require significant control.
"Doing yoga in space is deceptively easy but surprisingly challenging," Shukla said [1].
He noted that the lack of gravity changes how the body interacts with traditional exercise. The astronaut used the demonstration to answer a frequent public question regarding whether yoga is possible in microgravity [1].
Beyond fitness, Shukla also shared insights into the logistics of living in space. He said that astronauts have to be creative when cleaning up in microgravity, as liquids and debris do not settle as they do on Earth [2].
Shukla said that the crew wanted to show the world a fun side of life on the ISS [3]. The footage serves as both a light-hearted social post and a practical demonstration of how human beings maintain flexibility, and mental well-being during short-duration missions.
“"Doing yoga in space is deceptively easy but surprisingly challenging,"”
Shukla's mission represents a significant milestone for India's presence in low-Earth orbit via private partnerships. By documenting the physical challenges of microgravity, the mission provides data on how traditional wellness practices like yoga can be adapted to combat the muscle atrophy and psychological stress associated with space travel.
