Author: Ki McGraw

In this recent heat wave, it’s been too hot to do much. Changing my yoga practices to utilize the cooling breath gave me enough relief to take small steps toward progress. I located our nearest drugstore for a couple items which satisfied our humblest needs.

With today’s fresh candle lit on my altar, and some tuna fish for the cats, I await students arrival with new cups for their water. Homemade lemonade chills in the fridge to refresh our upcoming hot afternoon. It isn’t much, and it is just the right amount of progress for the small steps taken.

How do you change your practices when you cannot change the weather? What small steps can you take to align with your present circumstances? Ki to Happiness chooses cooling breaths in the heat, taking small steps in the right direction.

Amidst the ongoing details of life as we settle in our new space, I stopped tending to my chore. Something caught my eye in the multiple mirrors on our East and West walls. The infinite reflection of images repeated as they bounced back and forth forever.

As if I slipped into another dimension, I held myself erect in wonder. One glimpse into this portal empowered me to extend gratitude outward eternally. My slender strong body, clear mind and balanced emotions welcomed my spirit to guide me toward the awareness of perfection in all things, just as they are.

What do you see in the mirror? Can you use your looking glass to open up the portal into the Infinite? Ki to Happiness shares the blessing of one conscious glimpse.

I start my practice in the dark each morning. In a new location, the cats and I watch as first light enters. Today, dawn offered us wispy pink clouds, as if from God’s paintbrush.

The crows flew their morning pattern southward, winging their way from their roost, out against the canvas of sky. I fly my pattern here, to you now dear readers. Enjoy today’s artwork and the artist will know.

How does your day begin? What might help you enhance your appreciation of the great artist’s work? Ki to Happiness appreciates this unsigned, ever changing canvas.

One of Bob‘s first students from the late 70s attended class yesterday morning. He was still living in Seattle when I arrived in the late 90s. The three of us worked together on a piece of performance art back then, deepening our connection as he continued to take classes from both of us.

To see him in our new location after he’s been living out of state for over a decade brought a sense of continuity through all we experience. I could see in his mouth the downturn of days, uplifted by his silly sense of humor. I recognized myself in his feet, in the way that each student’s foot prints are indelibly stamped on my soul.

What do you recognize in yourself that you can only see when you look at someone else? How deep are the connections in your community? Ki to Happiness remembers herself to everyone’s efforts along the path.

Our new location is along the flight path of the crows who roost north of us then fly to their respective territories during the day. Like clockwork, I’ve been watching their patterns as I am up with them before dawn for my practices. Then in the evening, I have adopted the new practice of going out to our nearby creek to watch them go home just before sunset.

In our old neighborhood we fed them regularly. I told them we were moving 3miles north as the crow flies. It seems like some of them fly overhead and look down upon us, offering us their blessing.

What natural patterns do you observe from where you live? What new practices do they inspire? Ki to Happiness takes inspiration from nature.

As the moon subsides it’s super fullness, the intensity of the last few days calms. Now is a time for integration of the energies stirred. In quiet reflection, we may make the most of all that has come to light.

Yoga practice and teaching has sustained us through our transition to our new location. Like sea creatures all piled up on a rock, we rest in the summer sun and heal from the pounding waves and current of change. Yoga is our rock.

What is your rock? Can you rest on it as you heal? Ki to Happiness rests and integrates with Hatha Yoga.

All the great religious paths honor those entities of protection and healing. Archangel Michael is revered by the pathless path as well. In times of need for justice, he may be involved by anyone.

Once during an initiation process when all my guides and guardians were invoked, I experienced him as the leader of an army of protectors, insuring justice and healing for all who petition. From time to time I have called on him, and they all show up. In the light of this full moon, ask for the justice, protection and healing you desire and allow his magnificent wings to wrap you in a field of grace, trust and faith that all will be well in right timing.

What has come up for you in the light of this full moon? Who do you turn to for protection, justice and healing? Ki to Happiness asks and receives an abundance of Archangel Michael’s grace.

Ki to Happiness celebrates its 3 year anniversary. Of course I had no idea what I was getting into when I started. I could not have imagined the pandemic or how this daily blog post might serve.

I think of others who kept silent throughout the last 3 years, who didn’t try to offer counsel or encouragement, and instead left us alone to find our own way. I’m glad I had connection to a source of inspiration, bubbling up, like a fountain. It has renewed me, along with those who open up to read these few words.

What bubbled up in you three years ago? Does it continue to support you and those you serve? Ki to Happiness loves daily connection to Source and sharing it with You.

I got up in the middle of the night for no apparent reason. No loud neighbors or playful cats disturbed me. Yet, I awakened completely and look and around.

I saw our new home and work space illuminated by the waxing moon. The cats and I were feeling it. We are in synch with nature.

How in synch with nature are you? Do you feel this moon already? Ki to Happiness will salute both the sun and the moon daily until full sleep returns.

This morning I will go to a new bank branch. I received a gift check in the mail yesterday to feather our new nest. Thanks, Mom.

When the pandemic closed down my bank branch, I felt a desperate need in my life for its reopening which now I have moved away from. We informed our mail carrier of our new address personally, after he spent delivering our mail in University District for over 20 years. Mom’s continued love and support continues, whatever my address or bank branch.

What is continuous in your life? What did you once cling to which now you easily release? Ki to Happiness releases those things that have served their purpose to embrace all that continues to serve.