Month: February 2024

As the United States of America observes this National Holiday today, Hatha Yoga Center continues to offer daily classes. We celebrate our forefathers, and their dedication to freedom, bravery, and the Constitution. This democratic republic has changed greatly since it’s origins as their efforts and vision light the way forward.

This country of immigrants was never intended to be for the elite, but for common folks to be free to express themselves and have representation for fair governance. Our government works for us. Those in charge are to be celebrated and honored by us as they continue in the way appointed.

How long ago did your ancestors immigrate to the USA? Can you remember their hard work and struggle? Ki to Happiness is grateful to be an American, having benefitted greatly from those who fairly represent our common interests.

After successfully teaching my two Saturday classes, I celebrated my healing by gardening. In our urban setting, we have a few containers on our deck, and a 5 inch strip between it and the sidewalk. There’s only about 2 inches of poor quality dirt, mixed with gravel from the street in which to plant anything.

The few bulbs I planted last fall are beginning to bud. I transplanted hens and chicks from 12 years ago into the poor soil. Now those hardy survivors are surrounded by Primrose and Cacti.

Under what conditions are you willing to grow? How can you best celebrate your healing? Ki to Happiness needs just a little space, sun, water and soil in which to grow hardy and healthy.

As I return to full participation at the Hatha Yoga Center, teaching and practicing, I observe the benefits. As a result of my lifestyle choices, I have a strong baseline to return to after my two months of healing.My general alignment, strength, flexibility, and balance have waited for my return.

All of my private practices have aided my mind, emotions and Spirit. Continuing to serve others with my half time teaching schedule, as well as in private sessions, also has kept me whole. My deep appreciation for Bob Smith, Chris List, Kelly Kalac, and Karen Bullard, as well as all the students has also strengthened my bond with our community.

What benefits do you experience from your yoga practice? What other practices offer you such benefits? Ki to Happiness is renewed and grateful for all yoga benefits.

I experimented on Valentine’s Day with returning to attend Bob‘s class. Since I had no setback, I proceeded to attend his class last night as well. Without committing to resuming attendance in all of his classes, I am pacing myself with one class at a time.

Experimenting in this way helps me develop confidence in my healing. I am committed to resuming my full schedule of teaching. I do so, with renewed appreciation for the Hatha Yoga Center, my daily practice and yoga’s versatile and broad path with tools to help heal.

What practice have you let go of? How will you know if and when to resume? Ki to Happiness paces herself, one experiment at a time.

The unique combination of Valentine’s Day occurring on Ash Wednesday meant different things to our Hatha Yoga Center community. One student dashed in with a sweet Valentines card for us, as another was unable to attend due to receiving ashes on her forehead. Later we learned of a long time member having passed away, leaving behind ashes and hearts full of memories.

As some of our members grieve, others welcome new life and love. In between, conscious breathing and presence remind us to be grateful for life. While I practice pranayama this morning, exhaling and inhaling rhythmically, the snow turns into rain.

Did you participate in Valentine’s Day or Ash Wednesday observations? What helps you remember to be grateful for your life while you’re living it? Ki to Happiness awakens in gratitude for this precious gift of life, inhaling and exhaling.

Happy Valentine’s Day. Bob and I celebrate 24 years together. Through all of the challenges, our common values keep us together.

Practicing yoga, eating a whole food plant-based diet, abstaining from pollutants, loving our 31 year old son and our cats sustain our relationship. Our commitment continues to sustain the Hatha Yoga Center. Our community members share that their participation in the Hatha Yoga Center helps them to sustain their loving efforts in the world.

What sustains your loving efforts in the world? Can your values guide your choices to keep your heart open? Ki to Happiness stays committed to heart opening practices today and every day.

After conducting a private session and teaching a safe yoga class, I proceeded into my eight week review of my healing process. My chiropractor took new x-rays as well as treating me with laser and Graston technique. Overall, we are impressed with the progress, and planned our next refined steps toward complete healing.

For a second opinion, I consulted a nurse practitioner at our neighborhood health clinic. Having waited nearly 6 weeks to get the appointment, my healing is nearly complete by the time the nurse practitioner examined me. Other than recommending, I come back if things worsen, she recommended, I update my wellness metrics which will wait as I celebrate my progress with conscious rest, light yoga practice and tremendous gratitude.

How do you celebrate your healing? Can you take a moment and acknowledge your progress? Ki to Happiness celebrates by gratefully continuing on the healing path with support and refinement.

Today I’ll get new x-rays to check on the progress of my healing. It’s been eight weeks. I’m envisioning healthy, strong bonesas I continue improving strength and flexibility with soft tissue healing.

During my yoga practice yesterday, I listened to music intended for bone and joint healing. I imagined those vibrations entering into my left wrist and bringing integrity to all the components. 15 bones, myriad tendons and ligaments, muscles and fascia are all healing, and returning to full function.

What are you envisioning? What might help you open up to that vibration? Ki to Happiness envisions health and vibes with healing.

As we observed the lunar new year of the wood dragon, we enjoyed some traditional deep cleaning and some treats afterwards. I sipped ginger tea and opened my fortune cookie. It read “you’ll receive good news from afar.“

I brushed away my crumbs and removed my tea cup, then checked my phone. Good news from afar had already showed up. Wonderful to hear from friends around the world all observing the fortunate Dragon Lunar New Year. With joyful optimism, I tended to my container garden, hopeful for the benefits that may come with the wood element this year.

What would you like your fortune cookie to say? With optimism and hope, what would you like to plant with these new energies? Ki to Happiness feels fortunate and hopeful.

More than half of the population on the Earth observe today as the beginning of the New Year of the Dragon. It’s fiery energy is likely to replace the gentleness of last year’s Rabbit. It’s predicted to do so with lots of support for the wood element, even as the earth element is diminished.

What this means for each of us is personal depending upon our natal astrological information. In general, likely not a great year for real estate or mining, but a really good year for forestry, botany and publishing. Overall, it promises to be a year of mythic proportions.

Do you observe the lunar new year? Can you take guidance and wisdom from those who do? Ki to Happiness takes guidance and wisdom from old systems of understanding as well as new.