Author: Ki McGraw

During my day of self-care, I remained available for multiple contacts throughout the day regarding my mother‘s progress. Fortunately, she awakened and alerted her assistant to call me. She couldn’t speak yet as she was intubated, but it was very good to learn of her improvement.

She was extubated in the afternoon, and proceeded to walk, and eventually talk a little. My daily morning text was replied to by mom herself! I’m relieved and returning to my work schedule now that mom’s out of ICU and back to regular recovery follow her surgery.

What helps you rebound? How quickly can you resume regular activities after stress? Ki to Happiness rebounds with yoga practices and returns relieved and ready to serve.

I am very good at a crisis. However, afterwards, I often crash. The efforts required to keep myself together as I am facing challenges depletes my reserves.

This morning, I have learned that my mother has made it through her night in ICU and her vitals look good. Surgery took much longer than anticipated, and the amount of anesthesia required resulted in her needing to be intubated since she stopped breathing. Soon they will remove the tubes and her recovery can proceed more gently, as I tend to my nervous system with self care.

Are you good in a crisis? What do you need afterward to replenish your resources and reserves? Ki to Happiness needs yoga practice before, during and after crisis.

In honor of our 24th wedding anniversary, I set up 24 yoga mats in the larger studio space for the Memorial Day class. As students arrived, they chose their location and settled in. Class proceeded with the grounded familiarity of Hatha yoga.

Afterwards, we had our date, reflecting on our years together and making plans for our future. Dinner at Chaiyo and the movie, Remarkably Bright Creatures, made for a memorable celebration. Today is the exact anniversary, which has been overshadowed by my mom’s colon cancer surgery.

How memorable was your memorial day celebration this year? What familiarity grounds you during unsettling circumstances? Ki to Happiness settles down into body mind spirit integrity every day with Hatha Yoga.

After classes and our community gathering yesterday, we took a bike ride down to Matthew’s Beach. Sunshine sparkled on Lake Washington as revelers bumped their jams, tossed frisbees and picnicked. The atmosphere awakened in me the promise of summer fun.

Upon returning, we finished the cleanup from the festivities at HYC in preparation for today’s morning class. New rugs are set up with mats on top for students ease and comfort in our central studio. We’ll pay tribute to the fallen for Memorial Day with Salutation to the Warriors.

 How will you pay tribute today? Can you express your appreciation for the brave who’ve given all they could for your freedom? Ki to Happiness salutes the loving peaceful warriors.

Our kitchen is full of preparations for today’s community gathering following morning classes. Sweet and savory dishes are available as well as a wide assortment of tea. Refrigerator boxes are at the ready for take out.

I waited for inspiration to guide my preparation. It’s so important to use the right energy as an ingredient in any recipe. I stirred in extra gratitude for each and every student, client, and teacher at HYC.

What special ingredient do you stir into your offerings?Can you wait for inspiration to move you toward your preparations? Ki to Happiness waits to mix in gratitude, or doesn’t stir the pot.

Hatha Yoga Center wishes you a safe and Happy Memorial Day weekend. We are celebrating our Seattle wedding anniversary, too. We’d love to share some of our loving union with you in practices and our community gathering following tomorrow’s classes.

Bob and I came together specifically to co-direct HYC as well as to teach our yoga teacher training program. 24 years later it is still possible for us to do so with your support. Thank you all for contributing to our epic journey as we intend to facilitate yours.

How will you observe this holiday weekend? What part of our celebration would you like to join us for? Ki to Happiness thanks you all for helping make this celebration weekend possible.

As I opened the curtains for my morning practice, I looked out and saw fire. I called 911 and the dispatcher routed me to the fire department. It took them six cycles of their voice messaging system to finally have someone answer.

I returned to my practice as the truck arrived, put out the fire, and departed. Likely the fire was set by the homeless drug addicts that I saw had encamped on the north side of QFC when I turned in. I continued my yoga practice, grateful for 911, the fire department, in addition to my long list of blessings.

When’s the last time you called 911? How prompt was the emergency response? Ki to Happiness responds immediately to emergencies by calling for the right assistance and breathing consciously.

Pacing myself, I’m counting down the days until mom’s surgery. My emergency bag is packed, refundable ticket researched, class coverage secured, and clients notified. This is my best method to ensure that I won’t have to go anywhere.

All my practices ground me enough that I am able to stay present. Loving the lifestyle I’ve chosen and helping others continues to align me with the joy and peace that lives within. Healing into wholeness, one day at a time, this count down period too, shall pass.

 What helps you stay present? Are you able to pace yourself when facing the unknown? Ki to Happiness practices yoga one breath at a time, facing the known and unknown.

Next week at this time, we will know the result of Mom‘s surgery. Until then, we wait and organize. Together with my brother, we visualize no side effects and no complications, a successful robotic surgery and gentle healing.

It is said that the hardest part is the waiting. Yoga has companioned me through many waiting periods in my life. So far it has helped me stay present in practice and teaching, and I have reason to believe it will this week, too.

How patiently can you wait? What are you waiting for? Ki to Happiness waits patiently with yoga practice, visualizing the best outcome, experiencing peaceful healing now.

We saw the lights flashing, as the firetruck and ambulance came down the street of our cul-de-sac. One of our neighbors needed emergency response again. As the emergency subsided, I prayed for all our good neighbors. 

My grandmother taught me to do that when I was a child. She treated everyone like a neighbor. Her humble Irish ways stay with me no matter how long she’s been gone.

Do you have good neighbors? What did your grandparents teach you that has stayed with you? Ki to Happiness honors those who contributed to my deepest conditioning, once brought to consciousness.