Author: Ki McGraw

This morning dawns hazey from the wildfire smoke downstate. Air quality is no longer good for outdoor activities. It should clear with rain and wind tomorrow.

I’m so glad we got out and enjoyed the day yesterday before conditions worsened. Adapting our activities to the reality of each season including fire season makes it easier to accept these things we cannot change. We’ll use air filtration and fans with windows closed for healthy yoga classes.

What can you change about yourself to adapt to your circumstances? Are you able to accept what you cannot change? Ki to Happiness grows more wise in each season walking the Serenity Prayer talk.

Happy Independence Day. As we each release the outer constraints on our joy body, we find happiness within. Yoga teaches us how to do so every day.

The fireworks we see within as we meditate don’t scare the dogs. Quietly parading our Higher Selves through our lives, will never disrupt traffic. Freeing ourselves from cultural conditioning, we may delight in exercising our constitutional rights without imposing on others.

What do you need to release in order to experience happiness independent of circumstances? How can you exercise your rights while respecting others? Ki to Happiness aligns independently with the joy body through Hatha Yoga.

Preparing my Independence Weekend vegan hot dogs, which I call Not Dogs, I was going for a nostalgic flavor. Between the bun, the dog, and the chili sauce with mustard, a couple of bites took me right back to being 10. Riding my bike to the pool then, I felt my first waves of independence combined with that flavor.

Riding our ebikes to a nearby beach, that same feeling arose. The kid in me is alive and well, safe and healthy. My adult self celebrates the freedom for me to care for myself in these simple and joyful ways.

How is your inner child doing this holiday weekend? What can your adult self do to celebrate freedom with responsibility? Ki to Happiness rides the wave of freedom, responsible for her own joy.

Entering into this holiday weekend, I prepared food for feasting. Roasted mini peppers, sliced cucumber and tomatoes, corn on the cob will all be enjoyed along with BBQ vegan dogs and burgers. I like to spread out the feasting over these next few days, instead of overindulging all at once.

If I have too much at the same time, I notice that I don’t digest well. Small simple portions, well combined at right times and I am healthy and alert. Abundance of discernment is needed when feasting in any season.

What are your favorite summer flavors? Can you exercise an abundance of discernment when consuming them? Ki to Happiness feasts with discernment.

Happy Independence Day weekend. As we celebrate the red, white and blue, let’s remember the bravery required to stand up for freedom. We do so, as we participate in the way that best expresses our gratitude for being American.

Yoga practice encourages us to find freedom in our breath, posture, and alignment with our spiritual guidance. Bravely standing in our truth, we hold the space for others to do the same. Together, we stand shoulder to shoulder in support of liberty and justice for all.

What best expresses your gratitude for being American? How can you bravely stand up for freedom? Ki to Happiness freely breaths and stands with her spine long and tall aligning with her spiritual guidance.

After working with my administrative assistant yesterday on the sixth revision of my manuscript, I celebrated. Small, private victories deserve the right kind of acknowledgment. Vegan soft tacos and frozen nondairy ice cream enjoyed on our sunny deck felt like the perfect dinner for one before a little walk in the woods.

My evening yoga practice continued the celebration. I felt the freedom and strength of my healthy body together with the calm balanced emotions that come with mental clarity. My spiritual guidance told me “yes” which I interpreted as “good enough for now.”

Any progress you need to celebrate? what’s the best way to acknowledge the small victories? Ki to Happiness celebrates each step on the path that is good enough.

In teaching my beginners class last night, I became acutely aware that the decades of teaching and practicing have benefited me. As class ended, students expressed their appreciation for my teaching skills. Then one of them asked how much I teach.

When I answered, she said “no wonder you’re so strong..” Another asked for how long I’ve been teaching. When I answered, she said “ so that’s how you got to be so patient”.

What collateral benefits do you find in your occupation? What collateral benefits do you receive from your spiritual practice? Ki to Happiness has grown strong and patient through teaching and practicing Hatha Yoga.

Canadian wildfires are creating polluted air for much of the USA. The air quality in the Pacific Northwest is good. I remember other years when we had smoky air and we may again, which makes me appreciate our fresh air now.

In my first trip to India, I choked in the dense pollution. I found it hard to believe that yoga had its origins in a place where it was harmful to breathe. Today, my pranayama practice is enhanced by gratitude for the fresh air.

How is your air quality? Is it safe for you to practice yoga? Ki to Happiness is grateful for fresh air.

I have a dear lifelong friend, who’s amazing daughter Kelsey Piper McCoy is fulfilling, her dream of becoming a large animal veterinarian. I have watched this little one grow into a beautiful, smart, and helpful young adult. As she is on an African internship, she could use an influx of funds to offset the cost.

I am happy to contribute, as is my brother and mother. I shared the link with you, dear readers, in case you have an abundance and a desire to contribute. Your generosity could make all the difference in her ability to realize her dream. https://gofund.me/555cb9a8

How do you contribute to the future? Would you like to help make a young woman’s dream come true? Ki to Happiness gives generously and receives 1000 x what she offers.

During Bob’s second class yesterday, we wanted to use the barre. As more students arrived than could fit comfortably, I made a space at our kitchen counter to accommodate. All fit well,

Later, we worked together to clean the deck from the maple tree debris. We swept and picked up and then mopped and watered the plants. Working together, all is well.

Do you work well with others? Can you make the best of your skill set and let them do the same? Ki to Happiness enjoys working together.