Author: Ki McGraw

I start my Christmas morning with an empty stomach and a full heart. I abstained from having dinner so that I would awaken fresh and clear to be with the Light within. Meditation, chanting, and prayer fill my heart better than the pizza might have.

My thoughts go out to others who are sad, sick, disappointed, alone. I send them the joy of one full breath, igniting the light in the heart and its dream. We are all doing our part to bring about the reason for the season… Christ (Buddha’s, Highest, call it what you will) consciousness manifesting on the Earth in each of us.

How will you celebrate? What will renew your heart’s dream? Ki to Happiness wishes you all a merry Christmas today and everyday.

On this Christmas Eve morning, we have a new moon in Capricorn. With it, there is a feeling of hope and anticipation of newness. The rain is washing away the remnants of the bomb cyclone in answer to many prayers.

As we thaw, we release the past, the fear of how bad it might have been and we shift into cleaning up the aftermath. What remains for me is a greater sense of community as we all pitched in to help one another: my new neighbors, our students and HYC teachers, and friends and family near and far all prudently checked in safe. Today is a fresh day of gratitude for setting intentions for the rest of 2022 to end well for a Happy 2023!

What do you need to clear out in the aftermath of the bomb cyclone? How do you intend to end 2022? Ki to Happiness lets love replace all fear.

As our country is plunged into the bomb, cyclone of polar, arctic, cold, wind and freezing rain, I count my blessings. When I grew up in the Midwest, I experienced many terrible winter storms, blizzards, and treacherous conditions. I am blessed to live in the Pacific Northwest where we’ll soon warm up and thaw out.

Walking out into the frozen world, memories of car wrecks, broken water pipes, and stressful holidays came up from their storage spaces in my body. Releasing the traumas with yoga brought me present to my current safety, relative warmth and contentment with my choices. Until we warm up, I will continue to sip jasmine green tea, practice yoga and pet my cats.

What traumas are stored in your body? How can you safely release them? Ki to Happiness lets this bomb cyclone move through her as she thaws out the past.

In the frigid temperatures, we walked out onto the snowy icy earth. Bob wanted to see the beauty in the sunlight reflected on the trees with icicles sparkling. We bundled up and made our way into the elements.

The simple joy brought tears to my eyes and infused my classes and private sessions with a felt sense of Winter Solstice. I continued to see light glistening from my students, and heard the beautiful sounds of my client’s voices as they make their way through the darkness into the light of consciousness. We honored the moment’s blessing with meditation and sun salutations.

Where do you find beauty at this time of year? Can you feel light returning within as you face your darkness? Ki to Happiness sees beauty in the light of consciousness.

Happy winter solstice. During this coldest, darkest time of year, I reflect on my warming and illuminating practices. Only those that can bear up against the snow and ice of days with only eight hours of dim sunlight will go with me into 2023.

With green warm tea and candle light, I give thanks for that which sustains us. My healthy body, clear mind, balanced emotions are sustained by Grace. I’m grateful for nearly 62 years of seasons and cycles, witnessing miracles.

What sustains you in your coldest and darkest times? What miracles have you witnessed that bring you hope? Ki to Happiness has seen healing, forgiveness, and compassion.

We went out yesterday for a little Christmas shopping. We returned to find a delivery on our doorstep. A box of chocolate Santas from Bissinger’s was sent to us to share some sweetness with our community.

The thoughtful gift took me back to my memories of growing up in St. Louis and window shopping at the great confectioners. My girlfriend and I loved to browse around the central west end where the hippies and international students freely ranged long before the area became gentrified. Those memories are rapped up in the gifting as one by one I distribute the Secret Santa’s to our students.

What memories does this Holiday season bring up for you? Can you remember some sweetness? Ki to Happiness shares the treats.

After Bob taught the last Sunday classes of 2022, I served vegan treats and tea for our small gathering. I used my grandmother’s poinsettia tablecloth to spread out the trays of scones, blueberry bars and a fig bread wreath with ginger and jasmine green tea service on the studio floor. We enjoyed the intimate ritual celebration and wished each other well as we said our goodbyes until Sunday class resumes in 2023.

Bob and I settled in to watch a holiday movie, resisting the new trends and avoiding the old traditions. In between, we landed on the first Christmas Chronicles. Silly, light and uplifting, Bob’s laughter let me know we made the right choice.

What traditions and rituals will you observe this holiday season? Which will make you laugh, uplift your spirit, and dispel the darkness? Ki to Happiness choose Hatha Yoga Center community celebrations and anything that makes Bob laugh.

I taught my classes yesterday to old students who’ve been coming to Hatha Yoga Center since the 80’s along with new students from our new neighborhood. I marveled at their blending. Community has its true meaning in these instances.

On the live stream, old and new students participated as well. After offering 1800 live streaming classes, the new technology blends with the old method of instruction seamlessly. Old and new are holding hands in my heart.

Are you able to integrate the old with the new? How healthy is your sense of community? Ki to Happiness cherishes moments of healthy integration.

Yesterday I blogged for the 900th day in a row in this way. 350 days before that I blogged in a different way, so it’s not counted as part of my “streak”, but I count it. What counts to me is consistent efforts to express something of my journey in a way that might companion and inspire you.

To do anything for 1250 days in a row digs a deep pattern in one’s psyche. Where I once had ignorance this technology, fear of mistakes and anxiety over continuing through traveling, instead now I have replaced that with knowledge, skill and confidence. And YOU…thanks for reading.

What have you done for 1250 days in a row? What deep pattern would you like to create? Ki to Happiness wants you to begin…again and again.

Each day, there is a color and a scent suggested for making offerings on our altars as deemed by Earth Based Spirituality. I align with these suggestions to amplify the best possibility of each day. Today’s scent is vanilla.

As I place drops of vanilla oil into my burner the scent warms me and I smile as I inhale. It brings a feeling of safety here on this beautiful earth, replacing any feeling of being in the wrong place. This Earth is my hOMe for now and I want to continue to care for it and it’s creatures, naturally.

Have you ever felt like a stranger on the Earth? What has helped you ground into a sense of belonging here? Ki to Happiness grounds with Hatha Yoga and daily offerings, including Vanilla today.