Author: Ki McGraw

I have come to appreciate cyber tools and have learned to respect and utilize them. On this Cyber Monday, I thank all those who created them and distributed them to us for our convenience. I avoid the addictive quality like I learned to turn off the TV.

My grandfather called it the “boob tube”. While others used to watch the TV, I would turn toward them and watch them watch. I learned that these devices can dis regulate our nervous systems so I make sure I take responsibility for my own regulation.

Do you use cyber devices or are you being used by them? Can you take responsibility for regulating your nervous system or you pray to those who would rather do that for you for their own advantage? Ki to Happiness watches and learns responsibly.

As we welcome December, we do so with the new moon still upon us. In case you didn’t emerge from your Thanksgiving celebrations in time to observe this fresh energy, you get another chance today.  Integrating the best of one holiday may help you have an even better next holiday.

We feasted with our 32 year-old son. I had too much pie, so my self correction is to be more mindful next feast. With that intention, I turn the calendar page to December, delighted with all that this year has brought me for which I am grateful.

What would you like to correct about yourself? Can you set that in intention? Ki to Happiness corrects her self intentionally.

Today’s new moon gives us a chance to set our intention for a magical holiday season. Some of us avoided the black Friday consumer holiday in favor of creatively expressing ourselves in the new white Friday movement. I got creative in the kitchen, preparing a feast to share with our son today, and expressed myself musically with chanting and playing guitar.

As I teach classes I’ll play the music and warm the foods. The students will hear and smell some of those efforts, inspiring their own. In these ways, I intend to set the stage for Hatha Yoga Center and our community to have happy, creative and peaceful holidays.

What is your intention for the next month? How can you align with your truest desire today on this new moon to set that into motion? Ki to Happiness makes offerings of sound and scent to create an atmosphere of peace and joy.

While others are madly consuming on this shopping holiday, others have begun a movement to create. White Friday is a good day to make stuff, using skills and abilities. Paintings, clothing, crafting, singing, are some ways you may be moved to share.

In doing so, our Thanksgiving spirit continues to expand outward. To give of ourselves in humble and homey ways may brighten this season more than store bought items. Utilizing our talents could enhance them and encourage others to do the same.

What would you like to create? Can you let yourself make the mess and risk sharing your creativity with others? Ki to Happiness offers simple gifts to the world.

I wish all of my readers a very happy Thanksgiving. Friends, family, students, clients, and all my helpers contribute to my life daily in ways known and unknown. Focusing on my many blessings keeps me with the attitude of gratitude as a lifestyle.

I get to teach my 10 AM class and enjoy the rest of the day in my chosen ways. Our larger studio space is clean and ready to serve all who attend. Our simple fare of stuffed acorn squash, pumpkin soup and baked potatoes await our feast.

Do you count your blessings every day? Can you begin today? Ki to Happiness cultivates the attitude of gratitude with her gratitude journal.

I awakened this morning from a dream in which I found protection behind a huge tree from whatever threatened me. The experience means that on my subconscious level, I am grounded, rooted, growing, and protected. I am forever grateful for all that has brought me to this safety, free from fear.

The yoga sutras of Patanjali state that dream interpretation is one of many ways to become enlightened. By contemplating images revealed in dreams and dreamless sleep, we attain higher consciousness. With each smile, I spread the limbs of safe shelter and deep roots to ground this wisdom.

 What images are revealed in your dreams or dreamless sleep? Can you contemplate the meaning of those images? Ki to Happiness is grateful for all the many ways to attain higher consciousness.

My most recent Ayurvedic treatment included steam applied to one specific nerve path. Removing inflammation from it left me wiped out. After a good night sleep, I feel renewed and balanced at a deep constitutional level.

Unusual benefits arise in other parts of my body.  Far from the site of treatment, other little cranky areas stabilize and heal. Supporting the body with gentle natural approaches allow it to respond in surprising ways. 

Can you be gentle with your need for healing? What requires support in order for your body mind spirit to heal itself? Ki to Happiness utilizes the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda for modern needs.

About a month ago, I started making some lifestyle changes. Tuning up my eating, sleeping and recreational activities has already resulted in gradual progress. I detect improvements in my constitutional balance.

In working with my Ayurvedic physician, these changes have been guided and monitored. Today I have my last treatment as I continue with supplements and root into these new habits. I appreciate the allopaths who said it couldn’t be done, as I took the challenge to heart, and committed myself to seek a 2nd opinion.

What changes would you like to make ? What guidance and monitoring might you need? Ki to Happiness is grateful for 1st opinions as they lead to getting 2nd opinions.

We had a date with some of our community members to go out and listen to the University of Washington’s a cappella group, Furmata. This competitive group came in second place in the nation this year. Next year, they may come in first if last night’s show is any indication.

The whole group opened the first number before they shifted into duets and trios. The first duet had both Bob and myself in soft tears. By the time the trio ended, I was reaching for tissues to mop up, as I watched Bob wiping his cheeks as well.

What moves you to tears?  When is the last time you were moved by artistic beauty? Ki to Happiness is moved to tears by love, harmony and beauty.

The second cyclone did not have the same strength as the first one. We retained power, and made good use of it with Hatha Yoga Center fully functioning. Laundry, cleaning, and cooking all resumed with joy at these simple creature comforts.

We went out for our burrito date, happy that our neighborhood joint reopened, albeit without guacamole. The old guy in front of us in line insisted he be compensated for its lack in an ugly demanding way. We witnessed the interaction and surmised he must not have lost power, been humbled by the storm or experienced the gratitude of power restoration like we did.

What loss has humbled you? How does your gratitude grow? Ki to Happiness grows grateful and humble through each loss.