Author: Ki McGraw

Our plane departed late in the Pea soup dense fog in Seattle. Heavy turbulence intermittently on the flight, gave me a feeling of surfing in the air as I returned from the restroom to my seat. In-flight entertainment, and chummy seatmates made the trip easy and enjoyable.

Upon landing, I opened my window shade and looked out to the city of my birthplace. The streets, alleys, buildings, and their architecture all immediately anchored me here. My girlfriend with whom I share nearly 50 years of life gave me gave me a warm welcome in the sunny 80 degree day.

How far do you live from your birthplace? How often do you get back there? Ki to Happiness shares her homecoming from her travel altar after a soft morning practice.

I’m up super early on this foggy fall morning. I asked my higher self to wake me at 3:30. That’s what the clock said when I opened my eyes.

I travel today to the Midwest. I’ll be picked up soon on the curb to make my early flight. I pray that Sts. Christopher, Anthony and Raphael protect me on my journey to visit my family and return me back safely here when that day arrives as well.

What would you like to ask your higher self to do for you? To whom do you pray when you are in need. Ki to Happiness gets up early to meditate and pray.

Several of our students have participated in our yoga teacher training program over the years. One of the many who continues to teach, referred one of her students to us while he was in our area. He attended my 530 class last night with his aunt as part of his training program with our graduate.

It’s an honor and a privilege to represent yogic lineage, which is called a parampara in Sanskrit. I give thanks to my many teachers who shaped my approach to teaching. Through me, they have affected others, who teach others to prepare to teach others…

What lineage are you part of? Who is your downstream? Ki to Happiness lets the yogic lineage flow through to all who open to it.

Today, my yurt is 13 years old! The original yurt meister, my dad, is no longer here with me to celebrate. Yet his legacy and generosity live on as I prepare to go stay in it as I visit my mom.

He had never heard of yurts, yoga or yogurt and confabulated the three to our joy. I smile as I remember our many times together there, taking care of the “temporary shelter”. Dad’s care will still shelter me as I celebrate Raven, as Mom and I reminisce.

What did you build 13 years ago? Does it still exist? Ki to Happiness still stays in her yurt so yoga practice continues as she visits mom at her home of 50 years.

Last night our area experienced a 4.2 earthquake. Bob and I were watching a movie together at home on the first floor of the Vista apartment building with three floors above us and a garage below us. The whole building shifted to the west, and then the east.

We’ve been through other earthquakes together and had a sense that all was well. We felt no aftershocks. I was glad to see posts about it this morning, validating our experience.

Did you feel it? Have you been through other earthquakes? Ki to Happiness has been through much worse, and is grateful that all is well.

After teaching two lovely classes, Bob and I sat outside in the sunshine having our smoothies. We reminisced about a community member from long ago who just suddenly passed away while paragliding. One of the many benefits of our 26 years relating to one another is we have lots of shared history aligning with our highest values.

Later, one of our new neighbors who created disturbance a couple of days ago saw me sitting out there on our deck. He apologized for his inappropriate angry outburst. We re-introduced ourselves to each other and shook hands, then he greeted Bob for the first time.

With whom do you share memories? What new memories are you creating lately? Ki to Happiness remembers to align with her highest values.

Establishing a morning practice requires a boundary.. Maintaining that boundary is a part of that practice. It need not result in anger or frustration, although this process may be part of the overall practice.

Getting up early and having time to oneself to practice asana, pray, mediate, chant, breathe and set intentions for the day must become a top priority or it won’t happen. Protecting that priority while respecting the needs of other with whom one lives is a dance. Negotiating and compromising are the steps in that dance which will transfer to these needed skills when dealing with the rest of our day, every day.

What is your top priority? How flexible can you be in negotiating and compromising? Ki to Happiness maintains her semipermeable boundaries as she becomes more skilled.

In the gorgeous fall weather, I taught my morning class and attended Bob’s evening class. The pink, crimson, red and maroon foliage inspired multiple layers of yoga clothing.. I released layers one at a time, feeling that they were like fall leaves.

Practicing yoga with time outdoors in nature daily nourishes my soul. I love staying connected to the natural world and embody that in my practice. These things have sustained me over my long, healthy life.

What practices sustain you? can you give those practices a little love? Ki to Happiness gives her yoga practices a hug.

I awakened this morning to the good news. Leo James.Stamey has arrived to his loving family’s arms as HYC’s manager, Chris List shared on Facebook. Her joy over her first grandchild radiates outward for all.

Chris and I were working together at the end of January when her daughter and husband came by to share the news of her pregnancy. Their delightful expectancy has contributed to our community ever since. Now HYC’s newest honorary member is here, safe, healthy and loved.

How do you react to someone else’s good news? Do you allow yourself to share in their joy? Ki to Happiness lets the joyous news ripple ever outward.

Last night, one of my students showed up a bit frantic, looking for her yoga mat. She left it behind during her last class here on Friday. Her 16 year old son had asked for it at home, and when she couldn’t locate it for him she got nervous.

I loved seeing her face light up when she saw it here, safely awaiting her return. Her teenager doesn’t practice with her, but they both completely value the practice, and the prop that facilitates it for them. Personally, I don’t have a mat, never have, as I started practicing long before they were invented, although I use HYC’s mats depending on the nature of the flooring.

What does your practice require? Is it something you can leave behind? Ki to Happiness requires breath and intention which are always available.