Breathing Life into the SDGs and the Power of Yoga to Transform our World
- Brainz Magazine
- Jun 21
- 7 min read
Written by Dr. Reetu Verma, Transformational Life Coach
Dr. Reetu Verma, founder of Healing Health and Happiness, is a heart-centred Transformational Life Coach who blends Eastern spiritual wisdom with Western modern research to guide individuals on their unique healing journeys towards achieving holistic health to radiate love and bliss.
As the world grapples with environmental, economic, and social issues, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a global framework for tackling these challenges and creating a future where everyone can thrive, with access to quality healthcare, education, peace, and prosperity. For me, achieving these goals isn’t just about policy shifts or tech advancements – it’s about a deeper transformation within ourselves and our communities. We need to reconnect with values like responsibility, balance, and self-awareness. That’s where yoga, with its ancient roots in Indian philosophy, offers a powerful tool for personal growth and global change.
Rooted in the Vedic traditions and formalized in texts like the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, yoga is far more than just physical postures and breathing. It is a holistic system of ethics, discipline, mindfulness and harmony that fosters personal and collective well-being. The essence of yoga—union – echoes the interconnectedness that the SDGs emphasize across issues like health, education, climate action, responsible consumption and peace to name a few.
Thriving together: The shared vision of SDGs and yoga
Established in 2015, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals were designed to address critical global issues like poverty, inequality, climate change, and access to quality education and healthcare by 2030, with the overarching vision of “transforming our world”. This ambitious agenda is rooted in the understanding that humanity’s peace and prosperity is inextricably linked – we must thrive together.
This principle of interconnectedness resonates deeply with the philosophy of yoga, which seeks union on multiple levels: union of breath and body, mind and spirit, or individual and cosmos. By acknowledging these intrinsic links, yoga reminds us that our well-being is interconnected to the well-being of the Earth, aligning with the SDGs integrated vision for people and planet.
United in purpose: Interconnectedness of SDGs and yoga
At first glance, SDGs and yoga may seem worlds apart – one a global blueprint for a better future, the other an ancient practice for body, mind and spirit. Yet, I have come to understand and realize that both share a common thread: the power of connection. The SDGs highlight the need for collective action and global cooperation to achieve a balanced, harmonised and a sustainable world. This collective effort acknowledges that our individual actions have a ripple effect, impacting the world around us. For me, yoga’s core meaning of ‘union’ is about embracing connections – connecting with my own body, mind, and spirit, building meaningful relationships with others, and feeling a deeper sense of belonging to the world around me. This sense of connection is what makes yoga so powerful.
Let’s dive into the connection between yoga and the SDGs
1. Holistic well-being
Yoga’s holistic approach to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals, including Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institution (SDG 16).
2. Mindful living
By living mindfully, I am inspired to live more sustainably, reducing my ecological footprint and contributing to a healthier planet, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 12 to 15, which focus on responsible consumption, climate action, and preserving our planet’s precious resources.
3. Global citizenship
Yoga’s philosophy of interconnectedness and oneness resonates deeply with me. This perspective motivates me to collaborate with others towards shared goals of sustainability, peace, and prosperity, aligning with all the 17 SDGs. By recognizing our shared humanity, as a global citizen, I am committed to creating positive change and uplifting humanity.
4. Inner transformation
My personal journey through yoga has been absolutely transformative – I realised the profound connection between my inner world and the world around me. It’s taught me that peace isn’t just about the absence of conflict, but a deep sense of inner calm and harmony that then radiates outwards. This journey has transformed my approach to life itself, helping me cultivate greater care, responsibility, and balance in every aspect of my being.
Through yoga, I discovered that inner transformation is the catalyst for positive outer change. By transforming ourselves, we can help transform the world. This powerful philosophy aligns perfectly with the SDGs, which aim to “transform our world,” and I believe yoga’s transformative potential can play a vital role in making this vision a reality. By nurturing our body, mind, and spirit, we create a ripple effect that positively impacts our communities and the planet, fostering individual health, social well-being, and environmental sustainability – a unique and holistic approach I believe to realizing the SDGs. This journey of self-discovery and transformation is at the heart of yoga, which is why I resonate with the idea that “yoga is the journey into yourself, by yourself, for yourself.” As we embark on this path, we begin to see the world differently, and as B.K.S. Iyengar so eloquently put it, “Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees.”
Bringing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to life
Through Patanjali's 8 limbs of yoga, we can weave the SDGs into our daily life, consciously infusing our thoughts, emotions, words, and actions with purpose. Every movement, breath, and moment become a catalyst for personal and global transformation, revealing yoga’s profound impact.
The yamas (moral compass, principles and values) and niyamas (discipline, self-care and growth) lay the foundation for ethics and self-awareness, while asanas (postures) and pranayama (breathwork) cultivate health and well-being. As we progress further pratyahara (sense withdrawal), dharana (focus), dhyana (meditation) we ascend towards compassion, bliss and peace, culminating in samadhi (union), where the realization of the oneness and unity of all existence is revealed and the interconnectedness of all existence is deeply felt and understood. A deep sense of connection is felt to everything and everyone, as if the boundaries between us have dissolved, and we are all one. From this place of oneness, I am inspired to contribute to the greater good, aligning actions towards realizing the SDGs.
A personal practice as global impact
Through my journey, I have come to understand that yoga and realising the SDGs are deeply intertwined. By honouring the timeless principles of Patanjali's 8 limbs of yoga, I am able to transform global goals into personal actions that nurture my well-being, guide my choices, and foster connections. Mindful of my impact on the environment, I am now much more intentional about reducing my carbon footprint, embracing sustainable living, and advocating for the care of our planet.
This practice brings the SDGs to life, making them a living, breathing part of my daily existence (not just targets to achieve). I am inspired to embody the change I want to see in the world. Through my personal journey, I found that by embracing yoga’s overarching principles enables me to contribute to the SDGs in every moment, as I strive to align my thoughts, words, and actions with the values of care, understanding, mindfulness, and sustainability. With every breath, I embody the essence of yoga, transforming intention into action, and contributing to the realization of the SDGs in every moment. By living yoga daily, I transform global goals into personal practices, nurturing growth, embodying ethics, and cultivating harmony with each breath, and contributing to a more peaceful and sustainable world where nature and community thrive together.
Transforming the world through timeless wisdom
Yoga’s timeless wisdom provides a powerful framework for creating a better world. The first two limbs, Yamas and Niyamas, lay the foundation for realising all the 17 SDGs. Yamas cultivate harmony with others and the natural world, promoting a deeper sense of connection; while Niyamas build inner fortitude, discipline, and personal growth. Together, they empower individuals to become changemakers, propelling meaningful progress towards the 17 SDGs and fostering a world of greater harmony, balance and sustainability.
The real power of Yamas and Niyamas lies in their practical application. By integrating the principles of Yamas and Niyamas into our daily lives, we can create a profound impact on the world around us. By consciously living these principles, I am able to cultivate a deeper sense of awareness in my daily life. For instance, by practicing Ahimsa (non-violence), I cultivate peace within, which radiates outwards, nurturing harmony and contributing to a more peaceful world. This also inspires me to make more compassionate consumer choices, reducing harm to animals and the environment. Through Santosha (contentment), I purify my thoughts, words, and actions, aligning with my deepest intentions and values, and radiating positivity in all that I do, while Svadhyaya (self-study) prompts me to reflect on my every thought, emotion and action and their impact on the world. Embracing Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) inspires me to share and collaborate, letting go of attachments. Through Tapas (discipline), I build resilience and perseverance, staying committed to my values and goals. With Ishvara Pranidhana, I surrender, cultivate gratitude, and recognize our interconnectedness, embracing the unity of all things.
One earth, one health: The power of yoga for global wellbeing
The 2025 International Day of Yoga theme, ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’, echoes a profound truth: yoga’s holistic approach can transform individual lives, communities, and the planet, contributing to the realising of the SDGs.
Through yoga, we discover the profound interconnectedness of all living beings and the planet. By embracing this ancient wisdom, yoga teaches us that our health is deeply intertwined with the health of the Earth, inspiring a holistic approach to wellbeing. This perspective encourages us to care for our own wellbeing while nurturing the health and sustainability of the planet, recognizing that our individual and collective wellbeing are inextricably linked.
In essence, yoga’s holistic approach aligns perfectly with the SDGs. It teaches us that when we care for our body, mind and spirit (individual health), our actions ripple outward—impacting communities (social health) and ecosystems (planetary health). By following a yogic path, our individual actions can drive meaningful change, contributing towards the global goals and creating a ripple effect that positively impacts our communities and the planet.
Final thoughts
Realizing the SDGs demands more than just plans – it requires a profound transformation in our individual and collective consciousness. Yoga ignites this change, cultivating inner growth through Samskara (habit transformation), Sankalpa (intentional living), and Dharma (righteous duty).
Rooted in Yoga’s wisdom, we understand that personal transformation ignites global impact. Inner harmony sparks peace, fuels unity, and propels us toward a world where peace, prosperity, and sustainability flourish for all, driven by holistic well-being and collaborative partnerships.
“Yoga is not an escape from the world—it is a return to it, renewed, responsible, and ready to serve” B.K.S. Iyengar
Read more from Dr. Reetu Verma
Dr. Reetu Verma, Transformational Life Coach
Unlock your potential with Dr. Reetu Verma, a Transformational Life Coach, Spiritual Teacher, and Global Speaker. Empowering individuals through holistic health coaching, mindfulness, and energy healing, Dr. Verma integrates modern research with spiritual wisdom, emphasizing yoga philosophy. She shares expert insights on chakra healing, heart-centered living, and emotional freedom at global summits. Through her radio program, Dr. Verma raises awareness on health, well-being, environmental sustainability, and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), inspiring positive change and collective action.
Mission to create:
Love in action: a heart-centered community united in care, kindness, and transformative change.
