Visiting my almost 90-year-old first psychotherapeutic mentor, we marvel in our many years together.  It is she who first encouraged me to combine yoga with my counseling services. As our conversation shifted toward the political, I brought back in the yoga philosophy she directed me to so long ago.

It served us both to raise our consciousness above the divisive and ever toward the unitive. We consulted about cases and shared our personal material as well. I dropped her off at her next appointment as I departed for mine, grateful for our times together. 

What helps to raise your consciousness? Who encouraged you? Ki to Happiness learned from her mentor and continues on the path of integration.

I met with a client in person yesterday. Until then, all of our sessions have been at a distance. It was her birthday and we happened to be in the same general vicinity.

I greeted her with a hug and a gift bag to celebrate as it was her birthday . The session was rich with nuance of three-dimensional awareness of body movements and physical contact. The session ended with her gifting me a pair of yoga socks, and one more hug.

Are there people in your life with whom you interact at a distance? What’s the difference between that and meeting in person? Ki to Happiness appreciates the physical presence yet finds distant interactions work well, too, with visual or just audio.

On our one day off together, my good friend and I did our favorite things. We took a long walk in nature. It required tying our hair back and wearing windbreakers against the strong Prairie wind.

It was also a windy walk from the standpoint of a lot of talking. Both of us have been confiding in one another for decades. Our ease and familiarity continued right along into our Mexican dinner, and movie viewing at home, before an early bed.

What are your favorite things to do? With whom are you easy and familiar? Ki to Happiness walks the walk and walks her talk. 

The full moon in Libra rose pink over the prairie. My good friend and I drove out to witness it above the wide flat horizon. As it rose higher in the sky, it shifted into peach and then golden hues.

Libra loves beauty and balance. Today dawns with a promise of both. I align my practices with these energies and intentions. I send wishes for both out to you, dear readers.

What is full of beauty in your life? What helps you remain balanced? Ki to Happiness balances with beautiful yoga practices. 

My trip to visit my family and friends begins with travel mercies. On time flight, friendly fellow travelers, and easy rental car pick up brought a smile to my face as I drove to my friend’s house. Her cats greeted me, just as mine had seen me off.

She and I walked and talked as our dinner heated in the oven. We both attended to our respective work issues as they came up, and my brother came over when he finished his work. Together with my friend’s husband, we all enjoyed a simple and early evening.

What brings a smile to your face? Are you a good traveler? Ki to Happiness smiles in her birthplace and thanks the travel mercies for bringing me back again.

Sine I returned from my last trip to visit my family, I’ve been dealing with issues requiring many changes in my habits. In these 6 months the results of my efforts reveal my next steps. I’ve come full circle.

Changing my diet, sleep patterns, supplements, treatments and constitution, I am healthier and happier. Hatha Yoga practices provided the structure from which I could witness the feedback of the changes. Like the prayer from the Upanishads, “ All of this is full. All of that is full. From fullness, fullness comes. When you remove fullness, fullness remains, “ I’m grateful for this awareness of Fullness.

When changing your habits, what structures remain?  Where do you turn for feedback? Ki to Happiness turns to the discipline of Hatha Yoga for both structure and feedback.

As I prepare for my upcoming trip, my schedule has been very full. Clients and classes, errands and packing all require focus in preparation for departure. In the midst of the flurry of activities, I laid down with one of our cats and looked out the glass door.

Together, we marveled at the juncos in the budding Maple tree in front of our space. Silent and still, our eyes flitted in unison with their movements from branch to branch. This most natural meditation energized me for my evening activities.

What meditations energize you? Can you take a brief break and breathe in the beauty of nature? Ki to Happiness recharges with nature.

In advance of my upcoming trip to visit my family of origin, I cleaned up my stored photos, so I’ve got room for more as I travel. In doing so, I deleted a lot, and sent many to those who might enjoy them. The process gave me a different kind of life review.

The last time I did this process was shortly after my dad passed away. All the family photos are without him now, as my mom and brother and I adjust to his absence. We are all healing and grieving in our own ways, as the continuity of our lives uphold us.

What is continuous in your life as things change? What is revealed when you review your life in pictures? Ki to Happiness appreciates the continuity of Hatha Yoga Center and our cats.

I worked with a client privately in the morning before class. She stayed and welcomed the next student in who used to be her roommate. The magical reunion spread a loving vibe to all the others in attendance.

My client is pregnant and her former roommate brought her eldest child, age 4. Other students ranged in age from 24 to 84.  Overall the class brought through the reality that yoga is for everyone.

What occasions bring you together with all ages?  To whom do you give credit when magical reunions occur? Ki to Happiness sees Divine Intervention at work.

After the last three weeks of communication, electronic, and transportation issues, we’ve all had a chance to redo, reflect and reorganize for beneficial forward movement. Today, Mercury’s apparent movement is direct, clearing the way for progress. What we’ve learned and improved from our issues goes with us.

There are other astrological influences also affecting this shift. In particular Venus conjuncts Saturn today, ending karmic cycles and rewarding consistent deep abiding efforts grounded in loving truth. Releasing heavy fantasies and moving toward safety and harmony utilizes the energies well.

What consistent efforts would you love to have rewarded today? What heavy karmic load are you ready to release? Ki to Happiness releases fear and embraces safety consistently with Hatha Yoga.