IDEA: Yoga for Global Goals

Education Through Physical Activity

The organization Global Empowerment Coalition of the Central Okanagan (GECCO) hosted an event called
“Self-Care for World-Care: Yoga for the Global Goals”
on November 25, 2017.

The event incorporated the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into a yoga practice by matching each goal to a yoga pose. By doing so, participants were given the opportunity to learn more about the goals while improving their own health. A unique combination, the event emphasized the SDG’s key message, ‘Leave No One Behind’.

“We want people to learn to take care of themselves so that they can take care of other people” – Kasum Wijesekera

We exist within a community much larger than our city’s perimeters or country’s borders. As global citizens, we are one collective group and it is our responsibility to take action on important issues. Whether it’s addressing Good Health and Well-Being (#3) or Sustainable Cities and Communities (#11), all 17 goals are connected in some way or another. In order to see real change happen, we need to address these issues both locally and globally because the success of one goal will be supported by the success of 16 others.

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IDEA – Education Through Physical Activity

The concept of education through physical activity is interesting. By drawing a connection between taking care of ourselves and taking care of others, the event helped participants imagine the goals in a new way and emphasized their interconnected nature.

How can we move forward with this idea? Awareness around an issue often starts with education. First, it starts with ourselves and our own journey of learning about the issue. Second, we look for others to become involved. Awareness and education around an issue might include learning sessions, fundraisers, targetted campaigns, etc. There is nothing wrong with these, but we know that everyone learns in different ways. By sharing information through alternative approaches, people may be more likely to learn key take-aways, engage in a new topic, or get involved past the experience.

Here are some ideas that can help get you started!

1. Host an intramural sports tournament with the focus on a specific topic like reducing inequalities or good health and well-being. Get different grades and teachers to participate and promote your topic with mid-game announcements and facts.
2. Organize a dance class. Invite local community members to teach different styles of dance from around the world. Include a component where participants can learn about the different cultures featured and specific issues that affect individuals and communities around the world.
3. Get outside. As a class or group, enjoy our wonderful planet through outdoor activities while simultaneously learning. Focus on the importance of earth’s natural systems such as fresh-water ecosystems, natural and renewable resources, how we can protect our forests, and more!

More information

Global Goals
GECCO website
GECCO Facebook
GECCO Twitter
Eventbrite page