Author: Ki McGraw

The snow has melted in the welcome return to our more seasonal pattern. Seattle is known for its cloudy, rainy days, and now that the Polar vortex has moved on, regular activities resume. Class attendance was back up to normal and all enjoyed treats from our Valentine’s altar. 

Some treats remain for those who attend today. Our anniversary date renewed our memories as we made a new one. The values we share continue to bind us to Hatha Yoga Center. 

 Can you welcome the return of clouds and rain? Do you appreciate regular activities? Ki to Happiness delights in the deep patterns of healthy habits.



This Valentine’s Day begins with soft snow flurries. 25 years ago when Bob and I had our first date in Mexico we had different kinds of flurries. We celebrate both the romance and the reality of life centered on common values today.

It will be a day like any other. We will work first, serve our community and tend to our responsibilities. Afterwards, we will have a date at our local Mexican restaurant as we share a flurry of memories and make another new one. 

How will you observe Valentine’s Day this year?  With whom can you celebrate Divine Love? Ki to Happiness wishes you all a very Happy Valentine’s Day filled with Divine Love.

In my evening classes last night, a couple of students expressed an interest in meditation. On the full moon without any brand new members, I offered the tools of mudras to direct energy to chakras at the end of class. It was well received.

Some of us are more kinesthetic learners than visual or auditory, and the hand movements gave them the felt sense of the energy centers in the body. Some practitioners can awaken the energy centers through visualization while others can follow the sound vibration of instruction to do so. Optimally all three pathways of learning are presented in every class to reach each and every student.

Which pathway of learning works best for you? Visual, auditory or kinesthetic? Ki to Happiness learns best through repetition and the combined approach of all three.

Today’s full moon is called the Snow moon. The record breaking polar vortex has synchronized well with it as we have still have some white stuff on the ground from last week and more is forecasted. Grateful for warm clothes, shelter and heat, we bundle up for classes and slowly disrobe as we warm up.

The chill brought birds to our suet for the first time. Our ferns are wintering in the bathroom at night, drawing our curious cat noses to the closed doors. These tiny blessings warm our hearts as we practice and teach the Salutations to the Moon, and Sun, meditating on the wonders of nature and ground in knowing we are part of it.

What blessings are you aware of during this full moon? What treasures appear in the cold and dark of winter? Ki to Happiness salutes the moon and sun, dark and light, cold and heat as is the tradition of Hatha Yoga, finding balance between these opposites.

The great storyteller of the countercultural movement, Tom Robbins, has passed away at age 92. His writing inspired many generations from the 60s onward to free themselves from the cage of conditioning and experience “Joy, in spite of everything”. From my first read, I became hooked on the rascal’s outrageous fiction and read all he wrote. 

He inspired my own writing, in addition to outrageous Halloween costumes over the years, and an immediate camaraderie with others who delighted in his works. He infiltrated my consciousness during my 20’s and grew me up into following his footsteps in ways I only now am beginning to realize. Like Rumi and Patanjali, he holds a place of high honor on the internal library of my life.

Who’s writing inspires you? How do you honor those whose words linger long after you’ve turned the page? Ki to Happiness does so by choosing Joy, in spite of, because of and despite everything, to paraphrase Tom Robbins, Rumi and Patanjali.

My recent birthday color analysis revealed several items no longer desirable in my closet. I weeded them out and set them aside to give away. Following each class yesterday, I invited students to take a look and choose any they may want.

During my time at the Kripalu ashram in the early 90s, I learned vairagya is a practice of detaching dispassionately. One application of this principle I used to embody by scheduling regular offerings of gently used items to our community. Yesterday’s giveaway revived that practice spontaneously and brought joy to those who participated.

What are you ready to detach from? What joy might it bring to someone else? Ki to Happiness loves and detaches, so as not to be possessed by possessions.

Practice began this morning during another snowfall. It disappeared before landing with no accumulation, despite the freezing temperature. The cats and I marveled at the dancing flurries in the glow of the security lights on our deck.

When it stopped, they settled into their nesting spots around me as I continued my yoga practice. It won’t interfere with travel or class attendance. It’s as if it happened just for us to behold this wonder of nature, from the safety and warmth of our shelter. 

What natural beauty have you witnessed alone, or perhaps just with your pets? Can you feel sometimes how nature shows off just for you? Ki to Happiness sees the Creator in each snowflake.

In between snowfalls, we had 11 students attend Bob‘s morning class yesterday. This morning’s fresh accumulation will no doubt hamper students today. It came as a bit of a surprise, not specifically forecasted before I went to bed.

All three cats settled around me for my morning practice as we all witnessed the spectacle. Gorgeous and pristine, it covers the slushy melt and frozen earth with a fresh white blanket. The biggest class of the week may have already happened, but the few who venture out today will be blessed by this peace and beauty. 

Do you change with the weather? What remains constant? Ki to Happiness remains steadfast in practicing and teaching. 

Icy roads linger after the snow melt froze. Few will attend class in person so the live stream may benefit those who want it. We stay open to those who venture out. 

Treacherous sidewalks had me opting for walking on the clearer streets in my neighborhood. I was raised with the expression “safety first”. While that hasn’t always been my mantra, at long last I am willing to take heed.

 How safe do you feel with yourself? Have you noticed that your Higher Self always wants you to be safe? Ki to Happiness feels safe following Guidance from Higher Self.

One of the projects I’ve been working on with my chiropractor has resolved. When we first took a look at my x-rays, he said it would be impossible. My immediate reaction was “do you want to bet?”.

Yesterday during our session, he said that it is done. As usual, the impossible just takes a little time, persistence, and willingness to follow guidance. Inside the word, impossible, are those words ”I’m possible”. 

What have you been told is impossible that you have found your way to accomplish? What has been required for you to achieve it? Ki to Happiness accesses possible healing with assistance, time, visualization and Hatha Yoga.