Yoga has been my stalwart companion for over 40 years. We’ve been through thick and thin together, and I have every intention of continuing the relationship as long as possible.
My overall good health I attribute to yoga practice. But, like most people, I haven’t had perfect well-being.
One of the big challenges I faced for 18 years was living with osteoarthritis. The disease was also my companion, and a teacher, too. Having had a bi-lateral hip replacements has freed me of pain, discomfort, and a restricted lifestyle. (If anyone is fearful about having surgery, they should talk to me.)
At the moment I have another focus of discomfort looming: periodontitis – gum disease. It’s been with me since I was in my forties, with various flare-ups over the years. Dentists, periodontists, and oral surgeons have filled, extracted, crowned, bridged, implanted and radically cleaned my teeth until there are many fewer to worry about than I started with.
At the moment, with all my years of sitting the dental chair, I’m facing the possible loss of a couple more teeth. But I don’t feel too worried. Actually, I feel strangely at peace with my fate. Everyone has something; it comes with being a vulnerable human .
I’m just happy I have yoga.

Tatah punah santa-uditau tulya-pratyayau cittasya-ekagrata-parinamah

Following contemplation is transformation to one-pointedness, in which one experiences with equanimity both mental peace and the return to a less coherent former state.*
* The Essence of Yoga – Reflections on the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, Bernard Bouanchaud.