When I first got to Seattle in the 90s, coffee was on every corner. I chose Tully‘s as my regular spot and had a lovely barista who knew my order by heart. She attended some of our yoga classes, but didn’t continue with us for long.

I stopped drinking coffee long before Tully’s closed. I wondered what became of the lovely barista. Yesterday when she attended my 9 AM class, I found out she’s been very busy raising her three kids, but plans to resume practicing with us now that they’re big enough for her to have some time for classes.

What keeps you away from yoga practice? When can you return? Ki to Happiness welcomes returning students and daily attendees, grateful for the practices that unite us.

Our analog clock hanging on the wall in our studio space stopped. We took it down and tried to get it to work again and it looked like it did. Hanging it back on the wall it stopped again.

Removing it, we noticed the number of times that we look to the blank space on the wall to check the time. Its absence heightens our awareness of that behavior. Now it’s always Now.

Are you a clock watcher? How often do you come into the present moment of Now? Ki to Happiness is peaceful Now.

Today’s full moon arrives with the merry merry month of May. It brings the Earth into the glory of blossoms, buds and the promise of bounty. Ritual celebrations honor fertility, femininity and festivities.

Having cleared out the debris and detritus of winter, we welcome renewal. Grounding practices like Hatha Yoga connect us to the earthly part of ourselves. Walking in nature, barefoot if possible, may further our healthy celebration of life today, and everyday.

How can you ground yourself today? Can you take off your shoes and walk on the good Mother Earth or practice yoga? Ki to Happiness will do both.

One of our community members is moving. A couple of others helped her with some of the big stuff yesterday. During my second class last night, another of the students learned about it during check-in, and offered his truck to further assist as necessary.

Witnessing students helping students brings joy to our community. It encourages further helpful actions.  It also brings gratitude to this teacher‘s heart.

Who helps you? Who are you willing to help? Ki to Happiness appreciates all who help.

As Spring continues, first light comes earlier and earlier. Today it occurred just as one of our stray cats arrived for breakfast. After feeding him, our three indoor cats looked out upon him and three geese flew above, honking their morning greeting.

The freshness crackles my indwelling joy outward. I’m grateful to be alive in a world of cats, birds, flowers, and trees. I’ll serve my clients and students from this overflowing bounty of goodness.

What crackles your joy open? What will you do with it? Ki to Happiness gives it away and watches it return, multiplied. 

Yesterday I had to deal with tech gremlins. I couldn’t get emails on my phone nor could I live stream on Facebook. Working within my meditation, I received guidance and acted on it, which worked.

It took a long time for my body to calm down from the stress. My afternoon walk, a light supper and my evening yoga practice soothed me into an early bed. This morning, I’m grateful for a new day, refreshed and rejuvenated.

How do you deal with tech gremlins? What helps you recover after stress? Ki to Happiness forgives her bodies reaction as well as the gremlins and heals with yoga, nutrition and nature walks.

After morning classes yesterday and one private client, Bob and I sat outside on the deck. We had our mango smoothies and spread out our yoga mats. We laid there in the sunshine for the first time this year.

We reminisced about our Balinese wedding 24 years ago. Grateful for our mild sun as we remember the sweltering heat of our ceremony. We rested after enough vitamin D, only to return for dinner Al fresco, vegan eggplant and mushroom lasagna.

How much time do you spend outside? What are your favorite activities there? Ki to Happiness lives outside and sleeps indoors as much as possible.

24 years ago today, we graduated our yoga teacher training participants in Bali with a fine ceremony afterward. We asked the local priest to bless our wedding rings intended for our wedding ceremony in Seattle a month later. The blessing turned into a traditional Balinese ritual with all of our graduates witnessing, feasting and celebrating together.

Mystified by the ancient Sanskrit and symbolism of the ceremony, I asked our Balinese staff what was said. They said they didn’t know, but it was the same as when they married.

What constitutes a wedding ceremony to you? How wedded are you to your culture, language and symbolism? Ki to Happiness celebrates Union in all ways, always.



After the past eight years of the planet of Uranus transiting through the sign of Taurus, today it shifts into Gemini. What remains of the deep erratic, revealing of all things related to home and health can now settle into place. Soon our communication and creative expression will receive the Uranian treatment.

This gives me pause to especially appreciate those things that have helped me remain stable during this erratic period. Yoga practices together with our nearly 8 year old cats are at the top of my list. Greater strength and resilience result from the past challenges, which I’m happy to communicate with you here.

What has changed in your health and home practices during the last eight years? How does that affect your creative communication? Ki to Happiness expresses gratitude for all that stabilizes during changes.

Today, Shirley MacLaine turns 92. Her book, Out on a Limb, awakened many readers to her vast experiences beyond her celebrity. She inspired me to keep singing, dancing and spiritualize my offerings on and off the various stages of my life.

Her quiet elder years out of the spotlight have been inspirational as she retreated from criticism yet continued her path. Her periodic appearance as a character actor draw me to view how she continues to weave her perspective into her roles. Her books and movies leave a legacy of transcending success for the richer rewards of Spirit.

Who do you include in your list of mentors? How do you honor them? Ki to Happiness thanks Shirley MacLaine by following her and her footsteps beyond success into Spirit.