Author: Ki McGraw

Two years ago today our governor shut down the state. As we slowly and safely reopen, there is much to celebrate. Hatha Yoga Center students participated in a couple of partners postures, filling in some of the space between us from our time of isolation due to restrictions.

About 90 years ago today, my biological father was born. When I was about 18 months of age, he shut down his role in my life, no longer parenting me or providing for my needs. The dad shaped hole he left in my life I’ve filled in with Divine Father’s love through many surrogates, substitutes and partners of all of life’s postures.

What has been missing in your life? How do you fill in the space that its absence reveals? Ki to Happiness calls on Divine Mother-Father God-dess.

I am greeted this morning by a client‘s text. It shares joy which is multiplied as it brings me joy also. Most often clients share sorrow in its many disguises, so it may be halved.

Such a power we have in where we focus our attention and what we do with it. As I focus on gratitude in my daily practices, I connect with others doing the same thing. We become an invisible team connected to each other whether or not we’re aware of it or each other.

What sorrow needs to be halved? What joy multiplied? Ki to Happiness shares with all of you who share with me.

Last night during class I received a text alerting us to the sighting of a trespasser in our building. To keep the students safe, I shared with them the information. Then took needed action with Bob to secure our living space.

Our three cats picked up the vibration. Each held a watchful post all night so we could sleep. All is well as we slip into the daylight hours when we will reverse roles.

Who watches over you so you can rest? Do you take turns? Ki to Happiness watches cats watch, learning from their quite stillness, readying to pounce only if necessary.

Last night in Bob’s class we had seven live students. I assisted him with demonstrations as I have done ever since his stroke in early December. The seriousness of the pandemic, like the darkness of winter has vanished.

Bob authoritatively placed the students in the Hatha Yoga Center where he wanted them and taught like he has since 1977. He resumed his bad jokes, guiding students into practices of all levels and had me dog-and-pony-show those few poses he no longer masters.

Have you resumed mirth and joy in your practice? Do you feel how it bubbles up from within? Ki to Happiness resumes her appreciation and respect for the resilience of yoga and its practitioners every day.

Despite restrictions, mandates, on and off, wars on foreign soils, inflation and climate change, the cherry trees have blossomed. The joy that swells in them has burst forth with fragrance and palest pink petals. This year, they are not fenced off from the public.

Seeing them, I align with the natural world. Their joy also swells in me. Happiness, peace, bliss, all come forward just because.

What is blooming in your area? Can you feel it occurring also within? Ki to Happiness naturally opens up.

I greet the Spring with farmer’s market flowers. Daffodils, tulips and hyacinths adorn my clean altar. My fresh green notebook contains my prayers for the season ahead, with juniper incense lifting those intentions skyward.

Having thanked the winter for its cold dark hibernation, many blessings remain from this time of deep reflection. Hatha Yoga Center continues. Bob , Jai and our cats celebrate as we always have.

Have you thanked the winter? How will you welcome Spring? Ki to Happiness smiles and breathes.

This full moon illuminates the many blessings of our long dark winter. As we pause to reflect, we may find we’ve grown stronger as we’ve persevered through these unprecedented times as well, as more aware of our vulnerability.

Covid as shown the world our inter-dependence. Our oneness in fragility and resilience binds us to care for one another as ourselves. Giving love to those who fear shines a light illuminating dark parts of the path, like the full moon on a clear night.

What has this moon revealed to you? Where can you shine your light and share your love? Ki to Happiness radiates it in all directions.

The luck of the Irish was certainly upon me yesterday as I exercised my gift of gab. Glad to have kissed the Blarney Stone when I traveled to the motherland. Making use of that blessing in my words as I speak and write, I followed my coach into true inspiration.

I generally resist the movement of the crowds, as I do my independent research. Instead, I broke that pattern and joined the group my coach suggested. Inspiration moves me.

When’s the last time you were inspired? What pattern might you need to break to open up to the possibility? Ki to Happiness feels the lift like when the spotter at the Blarney Stone brought me back up from the backbend kiss.

On this St. Patrick’s Day, many of us are aware of the dark force trying to overrun the world with fear in order to gain control. In St. Patrick’s time, he drove them out of Ireland, metaphorically. Now it’s up to each of us.

The snakes represent our reptilian evolutionary stage wherein we survive by shedding our skin as we calculate in cold blood when to strike our prey. This is to be driven out and evolved into a warm blooded community of surviving best with bonds of togetherness. Yoga teaches us to continue evolving toward unity with the One in All as we awaken Kundalini (the sleeping serpent within our spine) and direct it from the root chakra to the crown chakra (energy vortex).

Has your sleeping serpent awakened? Can you direct its energy all the way to the One, driving it past the many distraction and detours of multiple divergent energies? Ki to Happiness is feeling lucky to have survived the dark times with the HYC community intact as we all bond with the One.

In preparation for St. Patrick’s Day, this Irish descendent makes vegan Irish Soda Bread. It’s five simple ingredients I first mixed together for a Science Fair in grade school. I got first place, no doubt since the judges got to eat the results.

I cherish the many sweet memories of my childhood. While there are many conflicts today, especially between Russia and the Ukraine, I reflect on my ancestors fleeing their homeland’s strife. I benefit from their efforts as I pray for peaceful resolution for all boundary disputes.

How are your boundaries? What will help you peacefully resolve your disputes? Ki to Happiness offers the bread of kindness, unity, peace, tolerance and love—5 simple ingredients.