Author: Ki McGraw

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.

Last night during Bob‘s 530 class, new neighbors moved into our building. At the same time, one of the attending students moved out of her house of 15+ years. I talked with an old friend from Illinois who had just moved her mom out of their family home of 65 years.

All the moving in and out makes me very glad to stay put. I welcomed the new neighbors, cheered on my old friend, and congratulated our community member for their respective moves. Afterwards, I looked around our humble space and settled in evermore deeply.

What kind of movement is happening around you? Are you able to settle in more deeply in your chosen space? Ki to Happiness celebrates the movements of others from a stable home base.

My older brother and I speak on the phone weekly. We started doing that a while ago as our stepdad‘s health begin to fail. We anticipated the need to be a stronger support system for our mom, which has worked well.

Yesterday, he was late for our call. I witnessed my mind attempting to come up with a reason for his lateness, then rested in prayer as I surrendered to whatever the truth would reveal in its own good time. When we talked, I let him know how important his brotherly love is for me for our family, and for the community I serve.

Who’s love supports you behind the scenes of your life? Can you let them know how important they are? Ki to Happiness loves her brother.

We welcome October with fresh new socks. Bob and I shopped for some at our nearby TJMax. With warmer feet we enjoyed our afternoon walk into the glorious changing foliage of our neighborhood.

Students have been wearing their socks to class. As they warm up through the practice, they take them off. Upon leaving, they are so warm, they forget their jackets but remember to smile and say thanks.

Have you got what you need to stay warm? When all your needs are met, do you remember to smile and express gratitude? Ki to Happiness is smiling, warm and grateful.

A friend of my posted an old song by the Jerry Garcia band in honor of this full moon. I hadn’t heard it in a long time and turned up the volume. Soon I was singing, dancing, and crying.

Music moves us into patterns of interacting with the world. Reconnecting to those particular old patterns brought me back through all the years since I heard it last. As my tears subsided, I kept singing and dancing.

What music makes you want to dance and sing? What better way to interact with the world? Ki to Happiness participates with the world through chosen patterns.

The energy has been building towards today’s full, super moon in Aries. It wants us to take action. This occurs during the sun sign of Libra which wants the action to be diplomatic, graceful and compassionate.

For some of us, this will feel like a contradiction, as if the energies are in conflict. The yoga practice of alternate nostril breathing brings harmony to these energies during any sun sign or the moon phase. Coming into balance between male and female, action and reception, right and left is what Hatha Yoga (meaning union between sun and moon channels) is all about.

What action wants to happen? How can you best temper that with compassionate, diplomatic grace? Ki to Happiness practices alternate nostril breathing.