In the late summer of 2004. I found that my arthritis had caught up with me. My right hip had become virtually immobile and extremely painful. My low back had had stiffness and soreness from arthritis for years, which I was able to deal with by regular exercise, but now it was worse than ever and the hip was a major problem. My right groin reflected the pain form the hip and it was very sore. I had difficulty walking and climbing stairs.

X-rays revealed degenerative changes at the hips described as "mild on the right and minimal on the left" SI joints were found to be fused. (SI=sacroiliac)

If the level of discomfort that I felt was associated with "mild" degenerative changes, I certainly would not want to experience anything worse than "mild"!

I found that I was unable to play golf anymore, which was very important to me. I had to do something, but I didn't know what that would be. The advice I was getting from friends and fellow golfers was to consider a hip replacement operation. This was advice I didn't want to hear. My last game of golf, in early September 2004, was played virtually on one leg. Driving home afterwards was agonizing. This had been creeping up on me for the whole summer, but it finally became unbearable by the end of August. Tennis had been out of the question for two winter seasons. (I don't play in the summer-only golf)

As it happened, one of the members of my golf club (Royal Colwood) who is member of Bikram's Yoga Victoria and a good friend suggested that I try Hot Yoga. I didn't even know what it was. For years she had had similar problems to mine and hear mobility had improved considerably, but I didn't know how she had brought this about. So she introduced me to Bikram's Yoga.

Beginning in September 2004, I attended Yoga classes five days a week, including the sixty-day challenge in October and November. My level of competency in performing the postures is still very poor, varying from low of about 10% in the more difficult postures to a high of perhaps 50% in the easier ones. As a consequence, I had a difficult time discerning any progress, but one day recently, it just happened: I suddenly realized that my back and hip would allow me to swing a golf club again and I played my first game in eight months on Saturday, April 16, 2005. On Tuesday, April 19, 2005, I played my first game of tennis in two seasons, and was able to run freely without even being conscious of my hip. That was a major step forward for me. Needless to say, I was delighted!

So I have achieved my first goal: - enough mobility to allow me to enjoy my sports and at the same time considerably improve my quality of life. (Like just being able to walk and climb stairs comfortably). I am grateful to our Yoga teachers for their expertise and instruction, as well as their kindness and helpfulness at all times, and I enjoy my fellow students for their encouragement, friendliness and camaraderie. Yoga has become and will remain an important part of my life.

I have taken the first steps in what will be a long journey for me.

Fred Coyle
April 30, 2005