Author: Ki McGraw

This season of cold darkness brought us many blessings. Hibernating in our new home and studio with our cats has gifted us with new roots in this location. As we left our winter coats behind and walked out into the sunshine together, Bob and I reflected on how far we’ve come since last winter.

I climbed a tree in our nearby park and laid back on a broad limb in the late afternoon sun. We shared a bit of refreshment on our deck, remembering teaching classes on the railing here last summer before our son installed our barres. We waved at our neighbors and pet their dogs as they walk by, in appreciation of our new neighborhood.

What blessings have you received during this long winter? What rituals of Spring bring you most delight? Ki to Happiness thanks winter and tends to her spring bulbs.

While serving my Irish soda bread and shamrock shakes to our students after the morning class, I looked out the window. I saw the tree limbs on the parking strip across the street where the city moved them to open the sidewalk after a winter storm knocked down the tree. Inspiration motivated me to set them in place to block the unhoused drug users from one of their usual hang outs.

Acting on one inspiration, another impulse guided me to plant summer bulbs near our neighboring creek. On the warmest day since October, I felt the sun on my back as I followed inspiration and acted on its guidance. Regardless of the outcome as to whether the bulbs bloom or former hang out stays safe and clear for our classes, I’m grateful for my Higher Self nudging me to act.

How are you inspired to act? What stops you from following through? Ki to Happiness acts on Inspiration and detaches from the outcome with love.

As this St. Patrick’s Day begins, I hear from my mom. We greet each other in our traditional ways. She embodies my first Wild Irish Rose, and her shenanigans inspired me to be on the look out for others.

I heard from several others already before 6 AM, Women friends from around the world all of Irish descent remind me of our common heritage. We are all lucky to have come from those who went before us and evolve the gifts we’ve inherited.

How do you observe St. Patrick’s Day? Are there wild Irish roses in your life? Ki to Happiness’ Irish eyes are smiling.

The practice of yoga may limber the body although these days, we also need a flexible mind. Our area experienced big layoffs and power failures yesterday. None of the challenges are personal, and yet they may effect us personally.

I was called upon to be flexible with my time yesterday. Changing some private work from 1130 until 330 meant I needed to hustle for my evening class set up. Technical problems resolved just in time to welcome students and their smiles.

How flexible is your mind? How does that show up in your body? Ki to Happiness stretches her body, opens her mind and adapts her schedule.

Taking a break from work, we walked out into the sunshine. Free from wind, the moments without clouds heated me to the extent that I removed one jacket layer and tied it around my waist. Robbins and jays dug for worms and seeds.

A sudden burst of yellow caught my eye. I got closer to witness the blooming dandelions. Later, in the summer, they may seem like weeds, but on this walk they brought delight like a bouquet of roses.

How is your work-life balance? Are you getting enough fresh air and sunshine? Ki to Happiness stops to smell the blooming dandelions.

Springing forward continues to have its Jetlag effect on everyone. Upset digestion, headaches, and general irritability underly efforts as we adjust. Walking, drinking water and practicing yoga help this process, and just about all others.

When we see the neighborhood dogs, we immediately smile as we greet each other. Seeing the ducks in our local creek, we feel blessed. Feeding them feeds us.

What activities help you adjust? How readily can you choose them? Ki to Happiness chooses walking, drinking water, practicing yoga and readily smiles with the dogs and ducks.

Bob surprise me by wanting to view the Oscars last night. We watched several of the movies throughout the year that were up for nomination. That gave him extra interest in the outcomes.

Everything, Everywhere, All at Once surprised us with several awards. When we first watched it, it seemed too difficult to follow for Hollywood’s general viewers as it portrayed several complicated concepts. Glad to see the progress in the Academy as well as many dreams coming true.

Did you participate in this American tradition? Could you see cultural progress and evolution? Ki to Happiness applauses those who’ve realized their dreams.



We set our clocks forward one hour in the early afternoon yesterday to prepare for today. In doing so, we got on the schedule with early meals, and early bed. The cats also seemed to get the message as if they auto reset with the computers.

Getting up at 4 o’clock, which we know is really 3 o’clock, our world is exceptionally quiet. Practicing yoga at this time, the stillness and silence goes deeply into my consciousness. I smile without reason.

How well did you prepare for this spring forward morning? Can your practices help you adapt? Ki to Happiness breathes and smiles in the silent stillness.

Dawn is breaking at 6 AM now. My practices get me up early enough to watch the spectacle. Staying in tune with natural rhythms, I connect more to my nature.

This is one of the magic hours of the day. Sunset at 6 PM brings about the second magic hour of the day. Balancing light and dark, all in between are balanced and bracketed by the magic of the near equinox.

How do you stay in tune with nature? What Will help you reconnect? Ki to Happiness honors natural rhythms.

Now that Saturn has transited into the sign of Pisces, there is a greater need for sleep, Pisces is the mutable water sign, and its dreamy qualities come forward with adequate rest. In resting, we heal, and integrate the many lessons from the last three years when Saturn was in Aquarius.

Unfortunately, my cats did not get that astrological update. They’ve been wanting me to get up at 2 AM, so had to I rigged up my door to keep them out until 4. Resting soundly until then, I started my morning practices with renewed appreciation for sweet sleep..

Can you allow yourself the luxury of resting as much as you need? Does it bring up fears of being lazy or depressed? Ki to Happiness let go of her alarm decades ago.