Author: Ki McGraw

Such a nice warm day yesterday, I walked our neighborhood in a short dress. Bob left for the golf course as I set out for a longer walk than usual, returning to water our garden. Along the way, my bare legs enjoyed the sun and the warm air for the first time this year.

Today, as it is much cooler, I will cover up as I take my walk. I adapt my clothing and my yoga practices to the conditions, embodying “changing what I can“. I accept the weather which “I cannot change” and grow wise and serene as I participate in nature and its seasons.

In what ways are you growing wise? What contributes to your serenity? Ki to Happiness practices what the Serenity Prayer preaches.



During the last six months, I have been deeply cleansing my constitution. My efforts culminated in a detox week and ended with a purge on Sunday. This morning marks the first time since I began this process in which I did not have to take bitter, astringent, sour, or otherwise repelling substances into my body.

I feel great for all my efforts. I have an enhanced appreciation for the sweetness of my morning apple, the milkiness of jasmine green tea, and the renewal of faith in natural healing. I am grateful for my yoga practices, my helpers on all planes of consciousness, and my ability to continue my responsibilities throughout this deep constitutional rebalancing.

Have you subjected yourself to deep constitutional cleansing? What might you need to help with that? Ki to Happiness needs to gently return to life with this new, softer strength.

Many Americans observe this day as a drinking holiday. Mexicans, not so much. We may observe it with a bit of Mexican food.

It’s my good friend‘s birthday. I am forever grateful that she got me into regular yoga instruction. Since then, I’ve always thought a bit as her holiday.

How will you observe this day? Are you aware that it is not Mexican Independence Day but a celebration of a war victory? Ki to Happiness celebrates her friend, making the holiday meaningful in a personal way, without alcohol and instead with yoga.

May the fourth is a great day for us all to remember the Force of Higher Consciousness within us. That animating force heals us and holds us in its power. We have only to look within, and process all of our material so that we can get aligned with it.

I’m blessed to have centered my life on that Force with Hatha Yoga. From my humble and dramatic, personal awakening at age 23 to the present moment, I’ve followed the urgings of that Force. I continue on any day of any calendar.

Have you awakened to that Force within your heart? What material do you need to process so that it no longer obscures that loving light within? Ki to Happiness grieves, and releases all falsehood so the Force of loving light heals, wholes, and holds me.

April flowers bring May showers? That’s a reversal on the old adage, which is presently occurring out my window. The flowers and trees are appreciating the rain, as am I

We like to say that all weather is good weather for yoga. Winter, spring, summer, or fall, anywhere, anytime, there’s a practice that helps us integrate body with mind and spirit. We welcome the rain today, as do the birds, trees, and blossoms.

What does your yoga practice require? Do you need special weather, clothing or props? Ki to Happiness needs only to breathe and remember. 

I have a new technical assistant updating my website. We made great progress yesterday. I couldn’t possibly do it without him.

Teaching my morning class after some fine-tuning with him and before meeting with him again, I especially appreciated my familiar process, bringing me the comfort of confidence. I understand that blogging on websites is becoming obsolete. That won’t deter me, as I preserve with many practices that some call outdated, like yoga itself.

Do you follow the trends? Or do you create your own? Ki to Happiness recognizes trends and listens to the wisdom of the ages in meditation, taking action as directed.

Our neighbors to the west spread mulch over the weekend, covering their parking strip. It inspired me to use some of the wood chips left behind from the city workers who have been trimming and topping our trees to safeguard the powerlines. I filled some grocery bags and carried them over and deposited them on our parking strip.

In doing so our neighbors to the east asked if they could do the same. I told him I didn’t know for sure, but I thought it was OK. They got busy on their project, and together there’s great progress on our block.

How good are your neighbors? When you let their good behaviors encourage yours, does that inspire others? Ki to Happiness notices the rippling effect of goodness.

While traveling, I had some technical difficulties. I managed them well enough, so you could know HYC classes continued without me. I even found a temporary solution and a tech assistant for my return.

We met yesterday after my morning practice. In 70 minutes, we quit, having made no progress. Then, I checked one more time and found the issue to be resolved.

How does your yoga practice sustain you as you are dealing with difficulties? Do you notice an increase in patient persistence?Ki to Happiness steadily applies the principles of yoga to modern life.

Bob’s evening class had light attendance. As I participated, I especially appreciated the time and space in which to be gentle with myself. Without stress, I followed his general instructions, enjoying the ritual of tending to my physical body, the temple of my spirit.

As we sat for Pranayama and meditation, my spirit felt at home in its good enough temple. Pain free, strong and flexible I breathed in the nourishment of peace and presence. Rewarded for my commitment and diligence, I choose to continue with the life I’ve grown to know so well.

Can you be gentle with yourself? What rewards do you experience from your life choices? Ki to Happiness chooses the yoga lifestyle again and again.

With our lawyer present, we signed our new lease. In celebration, we added more flowers to our container garden efforts to grace the deck and ramp, welcoming students. I also made golden elixir enough to share with our community.

Bob and I reflected on our 3 years here, reviewing our first leasing period. We arrived mid Covid, still observing restrictions, and dealing with a lot of social unrest, manifesting as unhoused drug addicts encamping on our block. Now, flowers and birds replace the riffraff as our happy cats greet neighbors, clients, students and friends with full restriction free classes ongoing.

What are your plans for the next five years? What progress do you see in the last 5 years? Ki to Happiness celebrates progress with deeper commitment.