Author: Ki McGraw

During this warm Spring heat wave, we need some help with this new space. We moved here during a heatwave last summer, and were too busy settling in to attend to some details. In being settled now, our attention can turn to the need for a new screen for one of our windows, as well as learning how to reset an outdoor electric socket and turn on a spigot.

I turned to one of the members of our community for back up. It’s not so much what he does, but would he knows. In one brief text he told me exactly how we will proceed to deal with all three issues.

Who backs you up? Where do you turn to for those things that you don’t know? Ki to Happiness backs up her community which also backs her up.

Our southern facing studio is protected from direct sunlight now that the Sun’s springtime journey arcs north. With windows open and fans on, it is fresh and cool inside practice. I learned while teaching for years in the tropics to call this fan club yoga.

Feeling the air circulating on the skin, and choosing cooling breath practices bring our core temperature down. Feeling the heat takes us back to yoga’s origins in India where dawn and dusk are the right time for practices. Adapting our practices to natural circumstances aligns with our rightful place with universe.

Are you aligned with your rightful place in the universe? Can you adapt your practices to natural circumstances? Ki to Happiness practices fan club yoga in the heat.



After our Mother’s Day classes, we shared treats with our community. Those gathered appreciated the flowers, teas, and baked goods as we socialized. When we concluded, one of our members told us the safest route to get to the closest beach on our E bikes.

Late in the hot afternoon, we set out. Following the route suggested, we found our way and sat in the grass watching the water, and the families gathered in celebration, as we heard lots of birds behind us in and around a small pond. Looking to check out the disturbance, we saw two blue herons, no doubt protecting their nest.

How did you honor the day? Did you stay cool in the heat wave? Ki to Happiness honored Divine Mother Earth by staying cool and observing her beauty.

If we say “mama’s day” out loud, it will sound a lot like our yogic greeting, Namaste. My mom pointed that out to me years ago when I was a young yoga teacher. I look forward to sharing that memory with her today during our family call.

I’m excited for her to open her gift with my brother there to record her reaction. Now that she is a widow, my brother and I wanted to make sure that she is celebrated especially today. Whatever her reaction to the gift, she will know that she is remembered, appreciated, and loved.

How will you observe Mother’s Day? Who deserves to be remembered, appreciated, and loved on this day? Ki to Happiness wishes you all a Happy Mama’s Day.

Several challenges coalesced into a feeling of setback. Our cat’s food delivery got delayed, the letter of recommendation I wrote for a student wouldn’t send, our desired fun bike rides had to wait for the priority of dealing our housing situation. Now, all of that has progressed.

Bit by bit the challenges have been met. Satisfaction replaces stress. My yoga practices helped me stay centered on my truest intentions and I’ve grown stronger and more resilient from meeting these issues.

How do you deal with setback? What practices help you persevere toward progress? Ki to Happiness practices yoga as progress replaces setback bit by bit.

In between winter’s dark cold and the upcoming heat wave, we’re having perfect weather. Cool clear mornings and warm afternoons give way evenings long late sunsets. Screenless windows, allow the freshness in, without fear of bugs or humidity.

During my first trip to Seattle in the mid 80s I remember having this perfect weather. It made me pause and wonder what I was doing living in a place where we always had to keep windows closed, screened if open. I’m so glad to be here today to enjoy this perfection.

Can you open your windows and let the freshness in? On a day when you experience nature’s perfection, how do you enjoy it? Ki to Happiness practices Hatha Yoga in all kinds of weather.

We extracted ourselves from the issues related to our new property managers enough to take a walk. Bob saw a white lilac bush in full bloom. We stopped and marveled at its beauty.

From that moment on, I let go of the stress and shifted into gratitude for the gorgeous day. One thankful thought lead me to several others. By the time I taught both of my evening classes, I felt in full bloom also.

Can you extract yourself from your issues? What can help you shift toward gratitude? Ki to Happiness lets the simple beauty of nature bring out the attitude of gratitude.

E.Jean Carroll won her court case against the former president as the anonymous jury found him guilty of sexual assault and defamation. The findings and the reparations of nearly $5 million reward her with some measure of justice. That doesn’t begin to offset the vast life changing trauma she survived, as she lost her job for coming forward, after having lost her ability to engage in partnership and reproduction as a result.

The overarching message to all perpetrators is that no one, not even the former president, gets away with illegal behavior. It may take decades, but with perseverance and legal representation, truth wins. Even if $5million is chump change for a bombastic wealthy person, justice sends a signal that truth prevails.

How persistent are you willing to be in your search for justice? Can you stay steadfast in the truth of what you have experienced? Ki to Happiness stays committed to truth and persists in pursuing justice.

When I was a kid, I tweaked my right knee. Through yoga practice and chiropractic assistance, my knee has been strong and functional, pain-free for most of my adult life. On Saturday afternoon, I felt it misalign.

With assistance, it is realigned. I soaked out the inflammation from it and my whole body with three Epson salt treatments. 3 bags of Epson salt, 3 twenty minute baths in 3 consecutive days and I’m fully functional, realigned, strengthen and pain free!

What might 3 soaks do for you? Could you allow yourself 20 minutes for three days in a row to tend to any inflammation in your body? Ki to Happiness suggests experimenting with 3 soaks.

For our 21st anniversary we got bikes. As we took our first ride, one community member showed up and took pictures of our maiden voyage. When we returned, our son took his turn, jumping on my bike and riding with his dad.

Such delight to see my 74-year-old husband light up like a child with his child, now grown, beside him. His stroke did not impair his ability to stay balanced or otherwise propel himself forward. Just like riding a bike, his muscle memory kicked in as he rode.

What lights you up like a child? What do your muscles remember? Ki to Happiness lights up sharing the delight of others, like riding a bike.