Month: September 2025

Leaving my Chiropractic office yesterday, his next patient was a student of HYC. We navigated the chance encounter with hugs and smiles as she stated her intention to return to class as soon as possible. I walked out into the morning sunshine, chanting on my way home to run into two more students, with more hugs and smiles.

I sat out on our deck, sipping tea, surrounded by our end of summer garden, reflecting on the blessings of the morning. Preparing for class, students began to arrive for Bob’s 10 am offering. One student came in from California who’d been with HYC since the 70’s who reunited with two others from then, another joyous chance encounter.



Are you also experiencing chance encounters? Can you take time to reflect on your blessings, and perhaps in doing so attract more of them? Ki to Happiness counts the blessings of summer as they continue to multiply.

In preparation for our upcoming Autumnal Equinox, I got out our new crock pot. It wanted to to be useful and not just take up space. I saw we had plenty on hand to make vegetarian chili.

Pinto, black and red kidney beans together with corn, crushed tomatoes, onions, tricolored peppers, cilantro and spices simmered away all night long. I awakened to the aroma and stirred the pot. It looked like autumn leaves had fallen into to the crock with red, orange, yellow, green, brown and black swirling together.

How will you welcome Autumn? What ritual involves all your senses in celebration of the summer’s bounty as we prepare for the coming season? Ki to Happiness makes chili, enough for the whole HYC community.

One of our students attended class on his 46th birthday. He wanted to do 108 Sun Salutations, but the others weren’t ready for that. I proposed 46 to celebrate each year of his life, and offered alternative practices if they were needed.

Everyone successfully completed the practice. We integrated the other students’ requests into the remainder of class. All were safely served and each exceeded their expectations of themselves.

When’s the last time you have exceeded your expectations?  Did you do so safely or was there a negative consequence? Ki to Happiness releases expectations to embrace what Is.

Sometimes we can anticipate stress, but most often it appears as a surprise. Either way, it helps to make use of the tools provided by Hatha Yoga to reset the nervous system. Once we witness our reaction, we can pause, breathe and respond consciously.

Conscious breathing reminds us that we have agency. Gentle physical movements after the stress has passed remind us that we are safe again. Looking around in one’s environment and naming particular objects helps to orient us in the present moment, free from lions in the jungle or wolves at the door.

How do you mitigate stress in your life? Can you remember to use your Hatha Yoga tools to breathe, stay present and embodied? Ki to Happiness recovers ASAP from stress with Hatha Yoga.

I got a bunch of spring bulbs to plant this fall. Unfortunately, most of what I selected of my favorites are all squirrel bait. Researching, I’ve learned what I should get instead when I return the highly desirables.

In addition to selecting the right bulbs, it is also advised that squirrels are given plenty of other food to eat. As usual, the combined approaches is likely to have the best effect. Consistently, working on both ends of an issue yield better results.

What are both ends of your present issue? What can you remove and what’s the best replacement? Ki to Happiness stops baiting the wrong energies to cultivate beauty and harmony.

I met Jack, our studio manager’s 5 week old grandson. He gurgled and groaned as he wiggled on my lap at the HYC altar. Together, we cooed at his cuteness and took turns cuddling him as I presented a few small gifts, welcoming him to our world, our studio, and our community.

As the second grandchild, he’s gotten less attention than his big brother. I’m sure he’ll catch up in time and get all he needs. Grandmother will make sure, even as she continues to manage HYC and tend to the rest of her responsibilities.

When is the last time you held an infant? Did it remind you of the preciousness of life? Ki to Happiness appreciates HYC’s youngest member.

One of our students arrived to class yesterday, excited and delighted by what he saw on his way. Urban Artworks Seattle had a team painting a mural on their new perimeter wall. Now it provides a secure boundary as well as inspirational beauty.

I tried to do something like that at our last location but met complete resistance. 13 years later, I’m delighted to see the manifestation of that desire at this location. Miracles occur in their own time and place.

What miracle have you been waiting for? Can you let go and allow things to develop in their right timing and placing? Ki to Happiness cultivates the eyes to see miracles develop, replacing grievances with gratitude.

The death of one of our community members abroad necessitated my contacting others there. We spoke on WhatsApp as the miles and years apart disappeared. Reuniting, we honored the passing of our dear one.

Another friend from far away also reached out in need of assistance. Together we resolved a complex situation. Releasing the tension required to find a solution, I walked and chanted mantra after Bob’s yoga class.

What issues are you dealing with far away? What can you do right where you are to help? Ki to Happiness works with what is nearby to serve those far away.

As summer comes to conclusion and fall begins to crisp up the air, it’s both hot and cold at the same time. Walking, we wear layers so with clouds and wind one moment and sunbreaks the next, we shift. Sometimes we need to keep one arm covered in the shade but expose the one in the sun.

This approach enables us to appreciate the beauty of nature, care for our body, and “reconcile the irreconcilable” as our Sufi meditation teacher Pir Vilayat Kahn proposes. Learning to hold a unitive perspective, witnessing internal division, and choosing to align with the Totality is a practice. Practice makes perfect in this perfectly imperfect world.

How do you reconcile the irreconcilables in your life? What practices will assist you in aligning with the Totality? Ki to Happiness practices Hatha Yoga.

I heard from my good friend on Guam that another of our yoga sisters there passed away. In talking with her, I learned that her life long best friend also just passed away. While the expression“come in threes” came up for me, I was still surprised to find out immediately afterwards that one of my classmates had also died.

I sent my condolences and let myself breathe consciously as I set up to teach my classes. I expressed my appreciation for all who attended. Together we shared the yoga path a while, recognizing that none of us know how long we’ll get to, and wanting to make the most of our lives while we can.

Are you familiar with the expression regarding bad news “comes in threes”? Have you experienced all three in one day? Ki to Happiness sends condolences, breathes, continues on the path.