Yoga for One World, One Health

This year, the theme for International Yoga Day—"Yoga for One World, One "Health"—beautifully reflects what yoga truly stands for: a bridge that connects individuals to themselves, to each other, and the world. In today’s times, when physical and mental health are under so much pressure, yoga offers a universal solution. It brings us back to balance, reminding us that true well-being isn’t just about personal health but about harmony within communities and with nature.

Yoga is a practice that belongs to everyone, everywhere. And I truly believe that when one person heals through yoga, the ripple effects can touch the world. With that spirit, I’m beginning this article series—“Yoga Transformation Journey”—to share my own experiences, challenges, and learnings and to hopefully inspire others to explore yoga as a path to healing and transformation.

In our fast-paced world, staying physically fit and mentally calm often feels like an impossible task. I’ve been there—caught in the daily chaos, neglecting my body and mind until one day, life forced me to stop and take notice.

In 2005, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and within a few months, it took over my life. I had severe stiffness in all major joints, and I became nearly immobile. Everyday tasks—walking, climbing stairs, and driving—felt impossible. It was one of the lowest points in my life.

Alongside medical treatments, I began practising yoga—very slowly, very gently. It wasn’t easy. At times, it felt like I was learning how to move all over again. But day by day, breath by breath, yoga helped me heal. It took almost two years, but I gradually regained my mobility. What started as a physical routine slowly unfolded into something much deeper.

Physical Relief to Academic Exploration

In the beginning, yoga was just a tool to ease my pain. But over time, my curiosity grew. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when everything shifted online, I found the time and space to study yoga more seriously. I cleared the yoga teacher, therapist, and examiner exams conducted by the Ministry of AYUSH.

Encouraged by this progress, I enrolled in a master’s in yoga studies during the lockdown, and now I’m pursuing a Ph.D. in the same field. These academic journeys have deepened my understanding and opened new avenues—not just for teaching, but for truly living yoga.

One of the most transformative parts of my journey has been studying Patanjali’s Yogasutras. These ancient teachings are so much more than philosophy—they’re a guide for life.

Patanjali outlines a clear path that moves us from suffering to inner peace, from confusion to clarity, and eventually to liberation (Kaivalya). His four chapters—Samadhi, Sadhana, Vibhuti, and Kaivalya—show how yoga evolves from physical practice to deep spiritual awareness.

Through this lens, yoga becomes a journey not just for the body, but for the soul.

What Yoga Really Means

The word 'yoga' comes from the Sanskrit root 'yuj', meaning ‘to unite’. To me, yoga is the union of my breath, my body, and my awareness. It’s a space where I connect with something bigger than myself.

Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga—the eight-limbed path—is a beautiful map that guides us through:

Yama (social ethics)

Niyama (personal discipline)

Asana (posture)

Pranayama (breath)

Pratyahara (sense withdrawal)

Dharana (focus)

Dhyana (meditation)

Samadhi (absorption)

These limbs are not just steps—they’re companions on the path to self-realisation.

Yoga’s Transformative Power

Today, yoga is my anchor. It’s what keeps me grounded, energised, and inspired. Through regular practice, I’ve gained:

Physical strength and flexibility

Mental peace and clarity

Emotional balance

And most importantly, a sense of purpose

The WHO has already highlighted how chronic stress leads to multiple health problems. Yoga, with its focus on breath, mindfulness, and inner awareness, is one of the best antidotes I’ve ever found.

My life has changed completely—from being a person in pain to someone who now teaches, studies, and lives yoga every day. And if I could walk this path, I truly believe anyone can.

Yoga is so much more than exercise—it’s a way of living. It’s a journey from the outer to the inner, from limitation to liberation. My transformation—from someone struggling with rheumatoid arthritis to becoming a yoga educator and Ph.D. researcher—is living proof of yoga’s healing power.

I invite you to walk with me on this journey. Let’s explore yoga not just for our personal health, but for the health of our families, communities, and our one shared world.

(The writer is a yoga educator and researcher based in Pune.)