Author: Ki McGraw

My day begins with the news of Robert Thurman‘s having passed away. His Buddhist offerings have inspired generations towards mindfulness practice. May he rest in the peaceful silence and stillness of the Unnameable.

Once, I witnessed him portraying the One in All. He sat, gazing and breathing, accepting what he witnessed. That was all and that was enough.

 How closely do you identify with your witness state of consciousness? Can you sit still and accept what you observe for a moments mindfulness practice? Ki to Happiness thanks Robert Thurman for his service to humanity as his consciousness transitions to another plane of service.

My strategy for dealing with the recent heat wave included going outdoors early. Taking a little morning sunshine, grounding, and watering the garden before welcoming students served us all well. With four fans in each of our studio corners, the air circulation kept us all comfortable.

The heat did not rise as much as predicted. That gave me a chance to go outside again and “cut the grass”. Our birdfeeders drop seeds under our maple tree and some took root. I used a pair of scissors like our man in Bali taught me.

How easily can you adapt to present circumstances? What gifts do you find when you do? Ki to Happiness adapts and is gifted with beauty, health, comfort and memories.

After morning yoga classes, we had our smoothies in the sunshine on our deck, surrounded by the flowers in our garden. We rested in the shade inside until taking a bike ride down to Lake Washington. The sound of the lake lapping at the shore cooled us down.

Retuning, we tended to our animals before settling in for new moon quietude. Counting our blessings of the Spring, we look ahead to a bountiful Summer. Solstice is near, with abundant sunlight and heartfelt warmth to share with all our relations.

What cools and refreshes you in the heat? Can you include that in your new moon intentions for the Summer ahead? Ki to Happiness refreshes yoga practice with cooling breaths in the airy HYC studio and looks forward to a summer of more bike rides to the lake.

On this new moon, I celebrate my 43rd anniversary as a psychotherapist. The old role is renewed in light of all it has served. I pray it continues to serve for another 43 years.

Practicing yoga gives us a space in which to integrate the blessings of therapeutic endeavors. Releasing physical traumas and stresses, our body becomes a safe place from which to witness our reactions to circumstances. With greater access to our witness state of consciousness, we become empowered to take responsibility.

What intention would you like to set on this new moon? Would it help to practice yoga? Ki to Happiness finds the new inside the old through yoga practice.

One of our beloved students has been in the hospital this last week. Our community has rallied behind her with support. I’ve been in touch with her just about daily.

Last evening, we got the text that she is coming home! Happy to share in her joy of being discharged. Looking forward to her resuming her practice with us as she’s ready.

Which communities do you belong to? Are they supportive in good times and bad? Ki to Happiness invites you all to participate in our loving supportive community.

My brother has gotten his two new kittens. He shared his joy through pictures and texts with our Mom and me. In this way, his joy is multiplied.

In serving my clients and students, often they share their struggles. In doing so the struggles are diminished. Being aware of this very easy math, I choose to consciously share my joy of yoga, cats, gardening, cooking, singing, dancing, and connecting with all who are willing.

What struggles would you like to diminish? What joy would you like to see multiplied? Ki to Happiness does the math.

I reached out to my initial supervisor and mentor regarding a couple of clients. At 90 3/4, and still working, her perspective is completely valuable. She’s not presently taking new clients, as she’s aware she is unable to commit for any length of time.

Like her, I hope to continue working and serving others until the end of my life if it all possible. It’s important that we have role models for all stages of our life. I am beyond blessed to have met her when I was only 22, to have followed her guidance to become a yoga teacher, and all these years later to be able to speak with her about cases and classes.

Who do you consult with? How long do you intend to be of service? Ki to Happiness consults with those who intend to be of service throughout the lifespan.



One of my clients recently referred to me as a Soul Feeder. We are all hungry for tools that help integrate body mind spirit. I’m happy to feed the hungry.

Classes, private sessions, and community gatherings offer a banquet of soul sustenance. As we sup, we may nourish our ability to feed ourselves better, with little movement and meditation snacks as needed. When we are full, we have more than 1000 little things with which we can offer our world.

What is your soul hungry for? What nourishment do you have to offer others? Ki to Happiness dines before dawn on the light within darkness and the silence within sound.

As we all are resuming our regular rhythms, mom has gotten her all clear from her surgeon, my brother is getting two kittens to entrain with his two adult cats, and I dreamt we got two kittens, all clear from any disease or disorder.

We are One. My regular rhythms are enhanced by these recent experiences. Yoga practice shines the light on unified consciousness for us to glimpse this and heal from the perception of division.

Where do you see the light of Oneness? What enhances it? Ki to Happiness cultivates the experience with rhythmic yoga practices.

As we welcome Monday, this new week starts off with possibilities and promise. The glorious sunrise reflected on the airplane overhead invites me to take to the friendly skies. I begin to look forward to summertime travel, now that mom is settled into her home and healthcare workers as she recovers from surgery.

My brother resumes his regular schedule, returning to work today. He is celebrating with two new kittens in his designated nursery as his two adult cats indulge in his having come home after tending to Mom. Cats, classes and clients will fill my new week with the joy of purpose and purrs.

 What will this new week bring for you? What fills your life with purpose? Ki to Happiness looks forward to a purrfect week.