hat goes around comes around. One day back in my impressionable teen years, I came home from school to discover my mother on the kitchen oor. She was all awkwardly bent and contorted, looking like a pretzel, sans the salt. The shock of that sight remains with me to this day, seared into my unfortunate eyeballs, ingrained upon my memory. The other day one of our sons came home earlier than expected. Not nding me in any of my usual haunts -- on the couch eating bonbons and watching my soaps, or in my of ce, asleep at the computer -- he ventured downstairs and found me on the oor. All awkwardly bent and contorted. Looking like a pretzel, sans the salt. The poor guy. Like my mother before me, I've taken up yoga. In a daily, fanatical, can't-wait way. Why? Well, given the decrepit state of my knees, my orthopedic surgeon recommended I stay clear of activities that would facilitate me being tted with arti cial knees (running, basketball, squash, and such) and dive into more joint-friendly activities like swimming, cycling and yoga. I took a pass on swimming (there are large rocks out there that swim better than I do). I started cycling obsessively, and my wife and I signed up for an 11-week session at a nearby yoga centre. Honestly, I did not have to be convinced of the bene ts of yoga. I'd watched a good friend return to walking upright as yoga helped him alleviate assorted back issues and strengthen his core. I'd W More twisted proof that what goes around comes around That's Life Andy Juniper Guest Contributor 7 | Thursday, April 25, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com I'm sure it won't surprise regular readers of this column to discover that I'm unbalanced. Not to mention, stiff and in exible. Alas, four months into a regular yoga routine and I nd myself with noticeably better balance and considerably increased exibility. Truth be told, I could sing the praises of this ancient Indian discipline until the cows come home. Instead, I'll simply recommend that you give it a try. But, for heaven's sake, do so out of eyeshot of your offspring. Who probably don't want to see mommy or daddy all awkwardly bent and contorted. Looking like a pretzel, sans the salt. -- Andy Juniper can be contacted at ajjuniper@ gmail.com, found on Facebook, or followed on Twitter at www.twitter .com/thesportjesters. witnessed another friend shed stress and ward off the anxiety that had been crippling her for years. And, as a sports writer, I saw yoga being increasingly used to help professional athletes in the areas of exibility, strength, endurance and durability. Oh, and I was in the audience at a concert when a certain famously buff bass player removed his shirt and, looking half his age, made a crack about the body that yoga built. Show off. Still, in my provincial noggin, despite all obvious evidence to the contrary, I considered yoga classes to be primarily the domain of women. And to that end, I needed a bit of convincing that I could take a yoga class and be comfortable with the class, the culture, and my own initial clumsiness. Honestly, no one wants to be the lone tippy hound in a room full of perfect downward dogs. Which is why I dipped my toe into the yoga pool with my wife, which assured a certain comfort level. It also helped tremendously the instructor we found excelled at making everyone feel welcome and at ease. · Cleaning & Check-ups · White Fillings · Root Canals · Crown & Bridge FAMILY, COSMETIC & IMPLANT DENTISTRY New Patients & Emergencies Welcome · Implants · Braces/Invisalign · Dentures · Gum Treatment · Wisdom Teeth Removal · Laughing Gas/Sedation Trafalgar Rd. "Letourfamilytakecareofyours" Mon-Wed 10-7 Thursday 10-5 Friday 10-3 Saturday 9-3 330 Dundas St. East, Oakville Open Evenings & Saturdays Dundas St. E. Longo's 905-257-3182 www.klerdental.ca JUST IN TIME FOR APRIL BEER & WINE Voted Oakville's BEST BREW HOUSE for 15 years in a row! batch off one of wine 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEED Over 100 varieties of WINE, Fruit Wine & Wine Coolers to choose from. Prepared by you on site. or beer Offer valid to May 5, 2013. Limit 4 batches per customer. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Some restrictions apply. 481 North Service Rd. W. 905-825-BEER 2337 Offer valid to May 5, 2013. Limit 4 batches per customer. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Some restrictions apply. Prepared by you on site. two batches of wine or beer off 481 North Service Rd. W. 905-825-BEER 2337 EIN STEIN 3rd Line 4th Line North Service Rd. 481 NORTH SERVICE ROAD W. (between 4th Line and Dorval) 905-825-2337 · www.einsteinwinehouse.com HOURS: TUESDAY-THURSDAY 12-8, FRIDAY 12-5 SATURDAY 9-5, SUNDAY 11-3, CLOSED MONDAY Q.E.W. Dorval 481