Author: Ki McGraw

In my evening classes, we saluted the Earth. Varying the Sun salutation, we substituted half pigeons for the warrior poses in 5 different progressions in all levels practice. Beginners enjoyed a longer corpse pose meditation.

Rain blessed us throughout, making us grateful for practice indoors. Winds whipped the plants on our deck, deepening our appreciation of the studio space. Students tended to their microcosm of the macrocosm, as stated in the Upanishads underpinning the yoga path.

How is your relationship to the Earth today? What part of your body can you care for as the representative of the Earth? Ki to Happiness cares for the whole body everyday as every day is earth day. 

Gentle rain blesses the Earth on this Earth Day. I watered my container garden yesterday, just in case it didn’t rain. Our new geranium baskets are awakening to their new home here in the first light of dawn.

 Yoga has helped me become a better earthling. Integrating body mind and spirit together, I notice the integration of the soil, plants, animals and sky. Walking and chanting mantra, I massage Mother Earth and send her messages of gratitude for her abundance.

Are you a good earthling? What helps you stay grounded? Ki to Happiness gives thanks for the Good Mother Earth daily with Yoga. 

Bob and I teamed up in the 90’s to teach others how to teach yoga. Our first impulse was to show up naked and practice as we had for years.  Each of us satisfied the requirement for the standardizing board of having taught over 15,000 hours of classes by then.

After successfully, certifying hundreds of graduates from our (clothed) training program, the Covid interruption resulted in our shifting to independent study. Current programs requiring only 200 hours of study pale in comparison to what was demanded of us all those years ago. We continue to look for independent trainees to have a daily practice from which they will offer the naked truth of their devotion and dedication to the path to their downstream.

What is the naked truth of your practice? How dedicated and devoted are you? Ki to Happiness loves the paths of dedicated devoted practice.

As Bob and I approach our 24th Balinese Wedding anniversary, we’ve reflected on our union. Like all marriages, we’ve had our good years and bad. Staying together has resulted recently in more information being revealed about the bad.

 With greater understanding, there’s a shift in our perception and perspective of what we’ve been through. This affords us greater compassion for others. No doubt it will result in a fine celebration on 4/26, and continue until our Seattle winning anniversary on 5/26.

 Which practices help you stay long enough that more can be revealed regarding your challenges? What helps you grow in compassion? Ki to Happiness grows through sustained yoga practices allowing more to be revealed.

Spring has arrived in full force. Bared our arms for our afternoon walk. Saw crows mating and all our cats found sun spots to bask in.

At first light, we saw crows mating again. My sense of the spiritual significance of such a sighting included basic fertility in the joining together of male and female, especially just as we shifted from the masculine Aries season into feminine Taurus today. Despite Google‘s warning that I’ll be dead in six months from seeing such a sight, I will listen to my internal guidance that indicates only good things.

Can you read your own omens? Or do you rely on some external expert? Ki to Happiness expertly reads her own signs.

On yesterday‘s new moon, my mom got the all clear for her upcoming surgery. Bob and I had our burrito date, then tended to our separate needs for intention setting with the Aries energy. We returned to our clean studio and worked with our HYC manager to set up for her evening class.

This morning, these efforts have paved the way forward. We have but to proceed along the path of progress, tempering the fiery flare ups to channel that energy as desired. Avoiding distractions or tangents, one step at a time we can do our part to manifest health, happiness and harmony.

What intentions did you set yesterday? What part do you need to play in order to manifest those intentions? Ki to Happiness follows the intended path forward, one step at a time.

Today’s astrology gives us purpose to set new intentions for the actions we most want to take. The energy may feel forceful or aggressive. Tempering that energy may lead us to a shift in our consciousness.

Hatha Yoga practices aim toward uniting that masculine energy with the feminine energy within the body. Alternate nostril breathing manifests this by weaving right and left pathways together in the central channel. Directing and witnessing that marriage of energies ascending, brings a higher perspective, ever toward the One.

What would you like to manifest with today’s energy? Can you use it to raise your consciousness? Ki to Happiness weaves all energies toward the One.

As Bob set off on his bike to golf, the sun break lured him out without some of his special gear. I mailed his taxes as the dark clouds rolled back in. Soon, my walking and chanting practice required double hoods up to protect me from the hail.

Bob returned a bit earlier than usual. He got caught in the hail on his way back. We warmed up together with our three scaredy-cat, after the thunder, lightning and hail stopped.

 Are you a scaredy-cat in a thunderstorm? Or are you willing to subject yourself to their clearing nature? Ki to Happiness says Hail Yes, once bundled up.

Those of us living in Washington counties, which were hit with disastrous flooding have an extension on our taxes. The deadline is May 1.This affords us a couple more weeks to take care of them.

Even though we were not personally affected by the floods, certainly our accountant was. He is dealing with lots of others who have special needs, requiring more time and effort. I’m grateful to not be one of them as I wait for my packet to arrive for my signature.

How are you on this Tax day? Have you taken advantage of the Washington state extension? Ki to Happiness is free from stress as I trust the tax extension will give ample time to complete mine.

Mars has transited into its rulership in Aries. Several other plants are joining in this sign of masculine energy of aggression, force and leadership. This affects us each differently depending on our individual natal charts.

When tempers flare or inflammation occurs, there’s a way to make use of this energy without hurting anyone or anything. We can grow more compassionate towards those who manifest this warrior energy. Doing so, we transmute it towards what we truly want, a new era of peace.

How do you transmute anger? Can you grow in compassion? Ki to Happiness tempers the energy ever toward the One.