Month: September 2026

When beginners join the Hatha Yoga Center, we encourage them to attend classes designed for them on Wednesdays at 7 and Saturdays at 10:30. Once the basics are covered, and safety is insured, all classes are available to them with an awareness of neutral spine and full breathing. Witnessing their progress brings joy to this teacher as well as the other students.

One beginner attended her fourth class last night and demonstrated vast improvements. Free from pain, increased breath and postural awareness, and better balance are hers. The rewards for patient persistence in practice are available for all.

What would you like to improve? Are you willing to put in the effort, with patience and persistence? Ki to Happiness celebrates each victorious step on the path.

This year I’ve taken some self care time as Fall arrives. Extra rest and lots of turmeric ginger tea have companioned me. I’ve still met all my responsibilities with classes and clients, as I’ve heeded the nudge to turn inward a bit.

Walking in the late afternoon sun, I reflected on all the growth and healing of the summer. My Mom’s recover from cancer surgery is at the top of my gratitude list. The joy of that reflection inspired me to book my ticket for my fall visit with her.

When nudged, do you take extra time for self care? Does Fall encourage you to turn inward? Ki to Happiness welcomes the nudges in all seasons.

At 5:05 PM Pacific time we will enter Autumn. A moment’s balance between light and dark heralds the change in season. To make good use of it, we will practice balancing postures and balanced breathing.

Personally, I work with balancing my own nerdy daily. When I balanced, I’m more grounded. Grounded efforts are more effective.

How balanced do you feel? What might help you? Ki to Happiness balances her inhale duration with her exhale duration and stands on one leg, sometimes on her hands.

On this last day of summer, I look forward to one more sunny walk in the afternoon. It’s been a beautiful and long season of growth in our garden. After deadheading and composting, I intend to offer some plants to other gardeners for overwintering and rehousing.

I’ve also gathered some inspiration for our upcoming photo shoot. Soon we’ll take pictures for promotion of our Jubilee. Autumn’s arrival encourages creativity and generosity to warm our hearts through the upcoming seasons until Spring returns.

How does your summer end? What does autumn‘s arrival bring out in you? Ki to Happiness cycles with the seasons.

Bob’s sister came to town with her manfriend. They went golfing together to the course where they grew up. Afterward, I joined them as well as their cousin for a special meal together.

Teaching in the morning, my energy and focus stayed right here. I took a little rest to refresh so that I could feel energetic enough to engage in the family outing. Good food, nice visit, and an easy bike ride brought us home to a quiet night reflecting on family matters.

 How well do you get along with your in-laws? Must you participate in every aspect of each event, or are you allowed to take care of yourself and rest when you need to? Ki to Happiness reflects on functional family dynamics, with family of origin, family of creation and family of Spirit.

Bob’s morning class started while cool temperatures and dark clouds lingered but by the late afternoon, the sky was all clear and the warm temperatures invited me out. My client required schedule changes as did our studio cleaner. By the end of the day I had changed clothes to adjust to these requirements 4 times.

Adapting, adjusting and accommodating to the always changing circumstances requires flexibility, not just in the hamstrings. Recognizing this is the nature of life, we can choose to accept our part or resist. Realizing we are each always changing opens us up to our soul’s evolution.

Do you resistant change? Can you accept that change is constant in the physical realm? Ki to Happiness embraces the timeless qualities of yoga practice to better accept that which is always changing.

The asteroid and comet Chiron represents the wounded healer. It has just entered the sign of Aries, which governs masculine energy, including assertion, and aggression. This indicates an uprising of healing potential, especially from those who have been wounded and healed themselves enough to offer assistance to others.

Some sensitive individuals feel this change personally. The energy can be used to prioritize lifestyle changes and habits that will heal any remaining wounds to better serve others. Those of us in helping professions may feel this transit uplifting and emboldening our efforts.

What wounds have you healed from? What skills have you learned in the process that may serve other others? Ki to Happiness has healed from the wounds on all levels enough to assist others privately and in yoga classes.

One of our upstairs neighbors is moving out today. She gifted us a tree from her deck as it is unlikely to travel well to her next location in Arizona. It is ready to be planted, and I have no place suitable, so I reached out to one of our community members who is an avid gardener.

Giving the tree to her, she may give it to another member of her gardening club. This tree has already given joy to our neighbor, to me, and to our community member. In practicing tree posture, it gave the students greater balance and focus.

What gifts have you received from trees? How can you honor their generous benevolence? Ki to Happiness talks to the trees, hugs them and practices tree postures.

As these last days of summer dawn later and later, first light is just now happening. All my practices in the darkest hours lead me to gratitude for another day of life, service, and evolution. Gorgeous weather will draw me out for a walk, thankful that I have a flexible schedule with which to align with the forces of nature.

Colors start to appear now, as the night recedes. Pink bougainvillea on our deck contrast with the deep green ferns as the red maple tree begins to share its true colors, leaf by leaf. Morning practice allows me to witness this slow, quiet spectacle and join with it.

What do you do first thing? Can you allow yourself a moment of gratitude for simply being awake and alive? Ki to Happiness gives each morning to the One in nature, the One in light, the One in All. 

One minute after our email campaign was sent out I heard back from a graduate of our training program. He committed to attending with his partner, another of our graduates. They put it on their calendar.

As students entered for my 10 AM class, one offered to share some of her memorabilia from her long history with HYC. Later, others checked in with their issues. Overall, progress is happening toward the event even as all regular classes and clients continue to be served.

Can you send me your email address so you can stay in touch that way? Will you spread the word for us to include others? Ki to Happiness is looks forward to HYC ‘s 50 th anniversary Jubilee 5/30/27 following Bob’s regular Sunday morning classes.