Author: Ki McGraw

Hatha Yoga Center and I wish you a very blessed day of giving thanks. The studio is set for class at 10 with service of a few healthy treats after practice. Our son joins us for our humble feast later in the afternoon.

I’ll have a FaceTime call with my mom and brother. There’ll be a neighborhood walk, maybe in the rain. For all of this and so much more, I give thanks.

How will you observe this day? For what are you thankful? Ki to Happiness approaches this day and every day with an attitude of gratitude.

Today as the preparation for the holiday ramp up, I’m already ready. My grateful heart awakens me to the life I love. Healthy body, mind and spirit integrate into simple joy bubbling up as if from nowhere.

I sit on the chilly floor for practice with a candle lit, incense burning, and jasmine green tea cooling. Smiling from my heart, I recognize how my whole life leads up to this day, It’s been worth everything it’s taken to get me Now Here.

Have you deepened into nowhere enough to to find Now Here within? What practices will help? Ki to Happiness is already ready to give thanks for the many practices that bless me with conscious Presence.

Each morning, I wake up to my needs. I bow to them as I’ve learned to, and begin again to ask for help meeting them. I open myself to receive the assistance I’ve requested, whenever and however it comes and let go of the outcome.

The humility of recognizing my limitations turns into petitions and prayers. I’m willing to seek, and in doing so I find what I need. We are not alone, as there are nonphysical Helpers everywhere who need to be needed, for which I am forever grateful.

Are you willing to seek? In doing so, what do you find? Ki to Happiness seeks peace and finds it within the communion of Spirit.

Among my holiday preparations, I made a yam crisp. It was an afterthought, with ingredients on hand and a warm oven leftover from other purposes. The moment’s inspiration set us up for a spontaneous lunch with our friend.

14 students attended the second class. I offered some healthy treats to those gathered as I put the yam crisp in the oven to warm up. when everyone else left, Bob and I sat with our buddy and enjoyed the sweet warmth of our togetherness as we nourished ourselves.

When inspiration strikes, do you let it move you? Have you been rewarded for that? Ki to Happiness lets inspiration flow, moving her to the reward of seeing what It has in Mind.

Bob selected this movie for our viewing. Shot in the PNW, it tells the story of a logger’s life of love and loss. Slow and deep, it holds relevance whether or not it wins the awards it’s up for.

I was raised on train dreams, as my grandfather was a career inspector on the railroad, which allowed us to ride for free. Like the protagonist in the movie, some of my earliest memories took place as we rocked away the miles. Those dreams have also brought me to lessons of love and loss which I connected with through the deep slow development on screen.

What are your earliest dreams? What have they brought you to? Ki to Happiness remembers what brought her Here.

In preparation for the upcoming holiday holidays, we did a deep cleaning yesterday. With all the crud removed, I rolled out the red carpet runners to brighten and warm our space. Day by day, we will get more festive.

My favorite aspects of this time of year are the most ancient. Reminders of the cyclic nature of life and staying focused on the light at the darkest times tether me to the meaning of most of our seasonal rituals. Honoring all traditions, yoga embraces those that preceded commercialization.

What traditions do you observe? Are you aware of their deep origins? Ki to Happiness observes the symbolic elements inherent in all Ways.

In addition to having several students for both of our classes yesterday, we also had two dogs. They got along well. Our three cats didn’t object.

Neither did the students. Instead, they suggested that we offer zoo yoga. While we won’t do that exactly, we do welcome all good animals and their owners who know how to behave and always have.

Are you an animal lover? Does that include their presence in your yoga classes and practices? Ki to Happiness’ love for animals includes them in class when agreeable with all who attend.

In my yoga practice, I am strengthening and stabilizing my structure. This year has brought me opportunities to deeply cleanse and realign. Having done so with lots of assistance, the rest is up to me.

While I continue to ask for help as needed, I take responsibility for meeting the daily detailed demands this body mind requires. Renewing my commitment with this New Moon, I give thanks for the chance to listen to Guidance and act accordingly. I encourage my clients, students and you, dear reader, to do the same.

What does your body mind require? Can you recommit to taking responsibility for it as we approach the holidays? Ki to Happiness strengthens and stabilizes.

During this phase of the dark moon, I am planting bulbs for the holiday season. The fragrance and beauty of their growth may uplift the spirit during this cold, wet time. It’s a natural way of setting intentions for joyous gatherings to benefit all our students, clients, friends and family.

Every planting is an act of faith. We put the seeds or bulbs in the dirt and cover them up, like a burial. As germination and sprouting develop, life rebirths, like the Spring after Winter.

What are your intentions for this holiday season? Can you make an effort towards that during this dark moon? Ki to Happiness acts in alignment with intentions. 

As the upcoming holiday approaches, I plan to teach my morning 10 AM class. I’ll also offer healthy shots of turmeric and ginger with black pepper to offset any indulgences of the season. Afterward, we will feast with our son.

 We are grateful to plan and prepare, yet we also remain flexible for reality to reveal itself to us. Without attachment to outcome, we avoid any disappointment. Thanksgiving is a daily practice for spiritual growth regardless of gathering or feasting with others.

Do you have a daily gratitude practice? Can you release attachments to the outcome of your holiday plans? Ki to Happiness celebrates Thanksgiving daily in writing journal pages of gratitude for the many blessings.