Author: Ki McGraw

As the moon continues in her dark phase, the restless energies of Pluto and Mercury retrograde can make it hard to rest. Harnessing the energy to direct it toward creative solutions is recommended. In two weeks when the moon is full, the results of efforts made at this time will be visible.

Walking, practicing yoga, counting one’s blessings, all give respite. Riding the wave of energy into its trough, then resting there lets us companion ourselves through this process. In this way, we deepen our connection to our Higher Self and it’s Guidance.

Have you been feeling restless? Are you able to rest in these energies? Ki to Happiness rests in the Highest Guidance.

This national holiday lands on a new moon. While we enjoy a day off to honor the fallen, we might spare a prayer for our future, since we still have one. All the efforts of those who have gone before us bring us to this moment.

For the future of freedom, liberty and justice in this democratic republic each of us has a part to play. Overthrowing the internal dictatorship of fear, scarcity, and illness is an act of personal revolution. On this new moon our efforts broadcast into the next month, rippling outward, making the personal political.

What is your part to play in our national future? How can you best broadcast that today on this new moon?Ki to Happiness ripples freedom, abundance, health, balance, creativity, clarity and connection to the One in All.

After teaching my morning classes I walked up to the farmers market. From a distance, the buskers drew me in. Jazz, folk and rap all mixed together, keeping the blues away.

A couple of licks sounded so familiar my bones started moving before I identified the Grateful Dead song, Bertha. I let my bones do what they do, like they did decades ago when I was a deadhead and played this very tune in a dead cover band. Time stood still as I connected with the band and the audience, all as one family.

Can you relate to the Grateful Dead? What music makes time stop for you? Ki to Happiness sings” I have to move…really have to move…”

Happy Memorial Day weekend. As we pause to honor the fallen, we celebrate their dedication to service. Each of us has benefited from their efforts, whether or not we are aware of it.

What we remember of those who have gone before us is their legacy to us. They fought for us. We are forever blessed by their efforts.

What legacy will remain of your efforts? Who do you fight for? Ki to Happiness prays we would stop fighting in the awareness that we have the legacy and inheritance of Divine peace within.

Hatha Yoga Center‘s mascot returned to class after 2+years of the pandemic. Merle Girl entered and wagged her tail as she sniffed the scents that remain in the studio. She made a cameo appearance on the live stream as I reclined for core work.

She came close to me, sniffing, then licking. She sat on me, obscuring the camera’s line of sight. I could only surrender to the joy and pleasure.

What helps you surrender? Can you let go of control? Ki to Happiness recognizes Dog is God spelled backwards.

We were different people 20 years ago when we married in Seattle. In our vows, we committed to being together as long as possible. Despite the many great challenges, it is still possible!

We support one another most often by giving each other enough space to take care of ourselves. Our shared yoga philosophy, lifestyle and habits give us common ground. Hatha Yoga Center classes, students, clients, cats and our son all are expressions of our commitment.

What love is still possible in your life 20 years later? How do you express that love? Ki to Happiness shares Eternal love with The Great One who we are all madly in love with.

When we experience stressors in our personal life, all our energy goes towards us. This distracts us from the greater issues on our planet, in our country and closer to home in our community. I like to apply the serenity prayer to both, the inner and the outer.

There is much to be done in our inner realm, changing what we can about our selves and our circumstances. This may motivate us to effect change in the outer realm, although there may be much we need to accept. Let stress grow your serenity muscle as you wisely learn the difference between what we can and cannot change.

What can you change in the inner/ in the outer? What must you accept in the inner/outer? Ki to Happiness grows wiser and more serene as she knows the difference.

In my walking and chanting practice to the woods yesterday, I freed myself from the leftovers of the street fair. In Bali we call taking a walk “cuci mata”. That means wash your eyes.

Deep in the ravine the afternoon sun shown on the giant redwoods. Inspiring green glowed from within the Alder leaves. Rabbits munched on the new grass as crows gave me the side eye, perhaps recognizing me from all my years of feeding them.

How do you wash your eyes? What do you see after you do? Ki to Happiness sees a natural world and takes her place in it.

Demonstrating for Bob’s classes with the street fair raging just outside our windows used up my reserves. My practice was solid, and the students were appreciative of the classes. Afterwards, both Bob and I hit a wall.

We each took responsibility for our coming to the end of our respective patience and tolerance rope. Separately, we rested and resourced. When I got up, I went into the fair and immediately changed my perspective as I became one with the sea of humanity.

Are you able to take responsibility for your limitations ?How do you shift perspective? Ki to Happiness rejoins humanity once resourced.

Teaching yoga during the University District Street fair gives me an opportunity to practice what I preach. In the midst of upheaval, chaos, and full catastrophe living, yoga gives us tools with which we can remain balanced and centered. When the performing artist started up his amplified show, juggling, singing, making jokes and involving the audience, I led the students in one legged balances and inversions, focusing on our breath.

Going out into the human zoo after teaching, I continued to remain centered. In the throngs of every kind of people, I saw the light radiating from their eyes connecting us. I wanted to pet them, but I knew it was not that kind of zoo.

How centered can you remain amidst the throngs? Can you see the light connecting all of us in this human zoo? Ki to Happiness balances and centers with Hatha Yoga.