Author: Ki McGraw

Today I honor my maternal grandmother‘s birthday. She was born on this day in 1902. Last night to celebrate her, I watched the movie 1917. Considering the global environment when she was just 15 years of age, combined with the flu epidemic of 1918, I am aware that it is miraculous that I am alive. Her behavior was often perplexing to me as a young one in the 60s. And yet as the years go by, I come to understand and appreciate her more and more. I don’t miss her. I feel her with me in my strong limbs, in my willingness to sing and dance, in my black Irish humor and even in my choice of mate and residence.

What have your ancestors gone through? How might that support you as you continue to stay home and stay healthy?Ki to Happiness honors those who’s shoulders we stand upon.

As we stay home and stay healthy, there may be new information that you are discovering there. You may find that there are places in your house that you have not spent much time in. Perhaps you’re afraid of the clutter, or afraid of the others with whom you are sequestering . There may be deeper intimate issues coming to surface. And if you are alone, you may be facing your shadow material. Here is your opportunity for growth.

Here is your opportunity for evolution. Take a breath and acknowledge the fear, the resistance, the avoidance. Recognize the truth in the history of all you’ve been through. And in the light of that, allow yourself a moment to consider that your future could be different in your past. Certainly, your present is different than it has ever been. Imagine yourself for just a moment utilizing the safety you feel right now, right here expanding and increasing.

From the safe space, take a moment to glimpse, or peak, at that what you are afraid of. See it in the new light of possibility. What does it look like now? How safe do you feel? Ki to Happiness faces fears with safety.

I just sent you all an email about Hatha Yoga Center Live Streaming Group on Facebook! Friend us, and ask to Join and you are approved! Jump start your Yoga practices from the safety of your home Now! Go to hathayogacenter.com to make a donation, or purchase classes from our store online. Ki to Happiness is staying home and staying healthy!

As we face another day staying home and staying healthy in the state of Washington, I am aware that we are doing a good job of flattening the curve of the present epidemic. It has been increasingly effecting every single one of us. I wanted to congratulate you for doing your part. It looks like it is working. Keep it up. Also, it looks like the whole country is catching on more and more. And also maybe doing just what is necessary: Staying home and staying healthy.

Did you know that your efforts are making a difference? How appreciated do you feel? Ki to Happiness acknowledges every positive act.

In Bali, Indonesia, there are usually small simple lodgings that are for rent for the tourists. They are called “home stays”. Different from hotels, motels, or bungalows, they are small detached separate dwellings on the property of the family compound.

For over 20 years as a yoga instructor conducting retreats there, all of our students have loved the simple family environment in which they lodge, and meet their simple needs. I am in envisioning us all creating our own homes stays where we are, safely sheltering as we sequester.

How safe are you where you are? Have you provisioned for your simplest needs? Ki to Happiness has plenty in this home stay.

In our state of Washington, today we begin our official “staying home, staying healthy” order. Later this afternoon, the already deserted streets and shuttered buildings will be joined by others, turning the lights off, perhaps boarding up the windows and departing.

Just two weeks ago, this seemed utterly impossible. Unbelievable. Untenable. And now, I am able to except it with grace. And have adjusted all that I can in this direction in preparation. As usual, the impossible takes a little while.

How peaceful are you at home? Are you happy to be there a while? Ki to Happiness is in the heart’s healthy home.

Now, we enter into our first black moon of the spring season. During this time, without the moonlight, we have an invitation into deeper realms of our intention. As we stay home, and stay healthy, it’s of utmost importance that we also stay conscious of our truest desires.

Peace, joy, bliss, happiness, are all within. This time of greater solitude, silence, and social distancing may not only save your life, but also perhaps bring you into this awareness. 

What would you like to have result from this time of staying home and staying healthy? When this, too, has passed, how would you like to remember yourself navigating this global pandemic? Ki to Happiness envisions a more conscious world.

Now that a large portion of Americans are staying home, we are entering into uncharted territory. Like you, I also had no warning, no sense of this coming, and as such it is all very surprising, if not shocking. The adjustments required here have included shifting the way that I serve.

The old adage “ready, aim, fire” doesn’t work. Instead, reverse it. Fire your energy toward the future, aim it toward what you truly value, then ready yourself for the result. Refine and repeat as needed.

What energy are you ready to fire? Which values do you still hold to aim toward? Ki to Happiness is ready.

As more and more of us on the planet are staying home, there are a few simple pleasures we can engage in that will help us. In addition to conscious breathing, and light yoga practice, sipping warm liquids through the day is beneficial.

Keeping the throat moist and warm, and inhospitable to this nonliving crud, will wash it down into the gut where our strong digestive enzymes can remove it. My habit has been to sip third brew jasmine green tea throughout the day. First, I drink lots of warm water with my morning practices…

What do you like to sip on? What good habits have already been protecting you from this and other viruses? Ki to Happiness is sipping with you, blessing all our uplifting choices.

Around the globe we are all affected by this viral pandemic. As I adjust and accommodate to the many changes in the shape of my life, I continue to appreciate the many constants that remain.

My morning practices which I have shared with you in detail, continue. My further daily practices that occur including asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra, spiritual reading all continue. My practice of serving through Yoga instruction, Yoga teacher training and private sessions all continue.

What remains constant and amidst your changes? What positives are you finding in some of the changes? Ki to Happiness  recognizes that the only constant is change. Join me on Hatha Yoga Center’s Facebook page as I live stream all classes.

through yoga class instruction, yoga teacher training, and private sessions all continue, at a distance. Live streaming all classes. On Hatha Yoga Center Facebook page.