In 2012, my life took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with HIV. It was a dark and difficult period for me, as I faced the possibility of my own mortality. However, amidst the darkness, I found moments of clarity that began to shift my perspective on life and death. I came to understand that death is an integral part of life, and that without one, the other cannot exist. My journey with HIV made me realize that death does not begin with a diagnosis, but rather the moment we are born. We are all born with a limited amount of time, constantly ticking away. I once came across a quote that referred to death as a sexually transmitted disease. This disease served as a reminder of the impermanence of our physical bodies, urging me to live and die with mindfulness in each moment. Every breath we take is an opportunity to be present and aware. In the practice of yoga, the asanas represent the journey of form manifesting into form, while savasana symbolizes the dissolution of this form back into the unmanifest. This is the essence of yoga.

Enjoying life means recognizing that time is finite, and that one day, our bodies will return to the earth and the elements that created them. With this understanding, we must live intentionally and with awareness. We must make the most of the time and energy we have to pursue the life we have always dreamt of, seeking the happiness and fulfillment we have imagined since childhood. Death is always lurking nearby, but life is happening right now, in this very moment. Let us embrace it, let us breathe it, and let us be fully present in it.