Author: Ki McGraw

The beautiful snowfall disappeared in the day’s warmth. The prediction of more coming in the cold night and sticking did not occur in our area. Students continued to attend our classes, if in smaller numbers.

My private sessions, all at a distance continued without being hampered. Bob and I bundled up with extra layers so we could continue with our afternoon walk. Altogether we deepened our commitment to keep practicing yoga including serving others.

With threatens to hamper you from practicing the habits you want? Knowing that there have always been these hindrances, can you use the challenge to strengthen your commitment? Ki to Happiness keeps practicing.

Our morning snowfall beautified Bob’s classes and didn’t stick. We were able to venture out in the afternoon safely on foot and e-bike , without slippery pavement to meet our few humble needs. The evening snowfall landed on cold ground and has accumulated to less than an inch

More is predicted later tonight, but so far it seems likely that all can continue without disruption. We will be saluting the snow in my morning class at 10 AM. Our safe and clean studio will welcome all who venture out. 

Can you modify your practices to adapt to the changes in your area? Would it serve you best to stay home and practice with the live streaming classes, those already posted or join us in person? Ki to Happiness appreciates having options and offering them to you.

This weekend, we are at midwinter. Some observe it as Groundhog Day (2/2) others as Imbolc, which can last several days starting 1/31 and continuing past St. Brigid’s feast on 2/3. In celebration, we had our first snow yesterday as if the weather pattern aligned with our calendars.

We sat inside our snow globe of the Hatha Yoga Center and gazed upon the marvel of rain, turning into snow, then back to rain in between sun breaks. The cats watched the marvel with us as we drank fig date smoothies with yogurt and crunchy granola. Walking out into it, we witnessed eagles soaring above seagulls and crows.

Do you have the time to marvel at the spectacles of nature? What forces of nature inspire you most? Ki ti Happiness takes the time to reflect on midwinter and is inspired by all forces of nature, seasonally cycling through life.

As this new month begins, we sit on the edge of potential winter storms. Having prepared in every way, perhaps nothing dramatic will happen at all. Whatever the case, our safe and clean studio will continue to provide a space for yoga practices.

I took the wind chimes down and secured the remaining ferns. Their sights and sounds will cheer us again when the threat has passed. I have hyacinth bulbs waiting to be planted when all is clear.

How prepared are you for the potential storms? What act of hope reminds you that “this too shall pass”? Ki to Happiness is ready and hopeful.

The clear cold has given way to warmer wetness. At the end of this driest January, we need the fresh rain. It’s predicted that this won’t last long and we may have a snowstorm on the back end of the system.

In our area, it is advised for us to prepare just in case. Since the bomb cyclone before Thanksgiving, I have continued to remain prepared for weather changes. What doesn’t change are my yoga practices so I remain stable, grounded and balanced.

Do you change like the weather? Or do you remain consistent with your practices? Ki to Happiness continues to hold steady and witness the benefit of the changes all around.

After the festivities of my birthday and Lunar New Year, today my family observe my Dad’s 2 year anniversary of passing away.  They say time heals all wounds, and certainly with healthy grieving, much has healed since his exit. Our family dynamics have changed a lot with him gone, and we’ve all adjusted.

I cherish the dreams I have had of him. I feel his presence in my life every day. I celebrate him regularly, quoting some of his most often repeated statements.

Do you ever hear other peoples voices coming out of your head when you speak? Can you honor them and give them credit? Ki to Happiness quotes Dad with “Das ok” , diminishing drama and remembering his sweet steady temperament.

Today’s new moon occurs at the time of the lunar new year. Snake years auger a time of transformation and transcendence, represented by their shedding of the skin. Having cleared out the tail end of the epic Dragon year, we welcome in the new energy with the intention of releasing the tough old dry skin necessary in the past so to face the new with tender vulnerability.

It’s a great day to wear red, gift others from our abundance and pray for transformative growth and transcendent consciousness. With all cleaning done yesterday, we allow in the new energy and avoid removing it. Open windows, healthy foods, and positive visualizations all are ways to make to best of this opportunity, as we avoid conflict and sharp objects. 

What is your most transcendent prayer for the new year? What transformation would you like to see in the planetary, political, and personal realms? Ki to Happiness prays for all levels of consciousness to align and integrate with the Highest.

Today concludes the lunar year of the dragon. As its tail takes a swipe at us, its fantastical epic year ends. Tomorrow’s new moon ushers in the year of the snake, and its energy of transformation. 

In preparation, today is a great day to clean up any messes the Dragon year has left it its wake. Sweeping, mopping, changing the sheets, opening windows (and our new door) will welcome the freshness of the Wood Snake. It promises to be a year of shedding one’s skin, transforming and transcending after all we’ve been through in the last 13 lunar cycles.

What do you need to clean up? What is your highest vision of potential transcendence and transformation? Ki to Happiness cleans up after birthday celebrations and envisions a more peaceful world.

Those assembled in yesterday morning’s class sang the Beatles song to me when we finished our practice. We had an impromptu birthday party afterwards with healthy treats and tea. This morning, I opened my gifts as part of my meditation.

In these years on the planet, I’ve learned that we have all we need. All we need to do is open up to receive the many gifts of guidance, council, healing, and direction from within. Each year, I am challenged to open up even more to receive the abundance of blessings so that I might be an even better vessel to contain them and allow them to overflow.

What helps you open up to receive your many gifts? How can you best share them from your abundance? Ki to Happiness thanks you all for being alive with me at this time and sharing the yoga path a while.

After teaching my morning classes, we had a surprise visit from our son. He and his dad presented me with birthday flowers. There are so many, each with a special blessing for all of our years together.

 The three of us have always gotten along, as our astrology shows our unique connection. When my husband and I make a composite astrology chart, the result is our son’s birth chart. He’s the beans in our vegan burrito.

How do you celebrate your life? Who surprises you with unexpected visits? Ki to Happiness celebrates with flowers, parading planets, and vegan burritos.