Author: Ki McGraw

As this winter Olympics comes to conclusion, we witnessed the spectacle of the gala. While competition brings excellence, the gala put that excellence on display with the special spice of joy. Even as Ilia Melinin skated to music entitled Fear, he showed us how it looks when we face that fear.

His physical process is extraordinary. His emotional development even more inspirational. Together with all of the other athletes, we are uplifted by their display of magnificence and possibility.

Where do you find upliftment? What do you do with it when you find it? Ki to Happiness finds it in the excellence of others and uses it to enrich daily practice and service.

The freezing temperatures threatened our sweet tender plants. I gathered them all up and brought them inside yesterday for a little intensive care in our restroom. A nice drink of water, warmer temperatures, and the grow light have them all reviving a bit.

That’s the same kind of intensive care I need from time to time. I revive well with water, sunshine, and warmth. Just like our Primrose, when I get what I need, I can lift up my head and radiate vitality.

What kind of intensive care do you need? Can you provide those things for yourself? Ki to Happiness radiates vitality with her head held high, breathing freely and deeply.

On this chilly morning, I opened my Facebook app to post a spiritual message, which I have done daily for my friend since Spiritwalker passed away. Another post caught my eye, requesting prayers for a beloved brother. It surprised me with the description I recognized as potentially relating to someone I know and love.

I honored the request immediately. Then I double checked the likelihood that this synchronistic coincidence was real.  I’m blown away that I began my day with this miracle, of the highly unlikely connection occurring just as the prayers are needed.

Have you experienced digital miracles? What social media has blown you away? Ki to Happiness witnesses miracles on all planes of existence, including the digital plane.

As we were all resting together before my evening of teaching, suddenly one of our cats got up and made a move for an even more secure location. Padma made a crouching dash for under the bed. Then we heard the snow thunder.

As we got up to investigate, we found rain, sleet, hail, and snow all descending at once. I usually am mesmerized by the first snow, but this display of Mother Nature was different. The safety of our studio and the practices contained us as the atmosphere stabilized for the students’ exit.

How do you respond to unstable atmospheric conditions? What helps you stabilize? Ki to Happiness chooses yoga to stabilize and regulate in any atmosphere.

As I opened the blinds this morning, I saw small green crystals right outside our door. My first thought was that it was broken glass from a trespasser like we have had so many times. I investigated further by checking our other door and I found the same.

It occurred to me that freezing temperatures had been predicted with the potential of the wintry mix. Slowly, it dawned on me before the dawns early light that someone may have spread salt for our safety, even though that has never happened before in our 3 1/2 years here. In the gratitude of safety, I released a bit more of the trauma from the past..

How do you release trauma? Can you use the safety of the present moment to look around you and see that all is well? Ki to Happiness releases trauma and replaces it with gratitude in the safety of the present moment.

Today much of the world is celebrating. This Aquarius New Moon with the full solar eclipse heralds the Lunar New Year of the Horse, coinciding with Mardi Gras and Ramadan. Earth Based Spiritualists, those who observe the lunar cycles like East and Southeast Asians, together with Muslims, and Catholics all are participating in concert with astronomers and astrologers.

Altogether, this represents most of us. Uplifting the fire in our hearts, we look forward to the passionate forward movement this auspicious day augers. Having shed all that is no longer serving, we are ready for this new uplevelment of consciousness.

What are your intentions for the next year? Can you allow yourself to celebrate with most of humanity the possibilities this day represents? Ki to Happiness wishes All a Happy Lunar New Year.

As some observe today’s national holiday with a day off, Hatha Yoga Center remains open. In the 49 years since Bob Smith opened our studio, that’s been the case. Presidents come and go, yet HYC continues.

It’s often a well attended class. Today marks the end of the Snake Year, so we will be desquamating any old dead skin, releasing the past in preparation for the Lunar new year. Tomorrow marks the beginning of the Fire Horse year and we want to be ready to ride into a bright beautiful future.

What needs to be shed? What continues? Ki to Happiness sheds fear and continues in confidence with the peace of the yogic path.

The planet Saturn has shifted from its transit in Pisces and is now in Aries.This indicates that the deep emotional karmas have been brought up enough. It’s becoming time to take action based on what they have indicated.

How this affects each one of us is personal. You may have felt a change in your energy yesterday. As that settles down, things may become clearer before the new moon on Tuesday for our intention setting regarding upcoming actions.

What deep emotional karma has come up for you to examine? What action does it require? Ki to Happiness lets things calm down before taking action.

Happy Valentine’s Day from Hatha Yoga Center. It’s also our 26 year anniversary of becoming a couple. We celebrate by continuing to offer yoga classes, just like we did for years before our joining forces as well as on that first date.

Our union is based on our shared values. Yogic philosophy encapsulates those values most succinctly. We deepen our commitment to our values, yoga and each other with each passing year.

How will you observe Valentine’s Day? What values do you share with your primary relationships? Ki to Happiness values peace and the tools with which to access the peace that lives within the Heart of Hearts.

Freya’s Day, as it’s called in some cultures, is a powerful day. In pre-Christian societies, Freya was upheld as the Goddess. In her honor, rituals and intuition were strengthened.

Earth based spirituality has reclaimed the day away from the superstition prevalent in the modern era. There’s no need to fear the Goddess, our bodies, or the Earth today or any day. In safety, we light a candle and thank the forces of the material plane, imbuing it with gratitude for health, healing, and home.

What’s your association with Friday the 13th? Can you light a candle and give thanks for your physical reality? Ki to Happiness lives the Goddess and all her gifts.