This holiday season has thrown off our regular rhythms. With midweek days off, this Friday feels more like a Tuesday. It makes me happy for my daily practices, stabilizing me in grounded gratitude.

No matter what the day on any calendar, or what the weather, conscious breath work and movement, meditation and prayer, walking and drinking water all center me. These choices have helped me face injury, illness, loss, change and all that life brings. “Absorbing the shocks of infatuation and sorrow” is how Charles Johnston translates the Yoga Sutra passage which I embrace on this Tuesday Friday.

What practices are independent of weather conditions and schedules? How stable are you when presented with the shocks of life? Ki to Happiness faces the fluctuations of life with the stabilizing tools of Hatha Yoga.

Bob and I tallied the votes of our participating 53 community members. The arm balance posture, Crow, Bakasana, won. Pranayama came in 2nd place and Happy Baby, Ananda Balasana, came in 3rd.

For those that have a hard time with their wrists in Crow, we will offer alternatives of forearm plank, Phalakasana, for arm and core strengthening, or Happy Baby for stretching. Other alternatives are also welcome like Horse, Vatayasana, for stretching and strengthening without upsetting wrists.

How do you feel about the results? Are you willing and able to adjust and adapt to your needs with the option of variations? Ki to Happiness respects the votes and variations.

Happy New Year, and new month with the new moon energy still upon us. Having removed holiday decorations, laundered the linens and cleaned the space, I opened the windows to let the freshness in. Cool 36 degree air cleared my head as I sat in my morning practices.

A few lingering fireworks went off to startle the cats. Otherwise the peace surrounds us with a promise. All is as it should be for optimal conditions for a blessed New Year. 

Did you celebrate last night in a way that allows you to start fresh today? What intentions do you have for 2025? Ki to Happiness welcomes the New Year with fresh optimism for a transformative year.

As 2024 ends, we say goodbye to those things we wish to leave behind. In doing so we are available to welcome 2025 and it’s new beginnings. As the new moon is still upon us, we have support for setting intentions, refining our choices and evolving.

Blessing each farewell redeems the effort involved in the past. This frees up the energy to make use of it for the future. Along the way, we build on all those things that continue with gratitude.

What ends with 2024 for you? What begins in 2025? Ki to Happiness is grateful for all that continues, leaving behind the past and welcoming the future.

Today’s new moon is the second one in the month of December. That is referred to as a black moon. It invites us to set intentions for the upcoming month as well as the whole next year.

The holiday season is always a great time to reflect on our relationships as well as our progress in the year. Especially this year, we are wise to do so, making good use of the black moon. I got some new tools for the occasion and will begin to use them today to build on all the positive transformations of 2024.

What has this holiday season revealed to you about your relationships and progress? How can you make use of that information as you set intentions for next month and next year? Ki to Happiness takes greater responsibility for health and happiness, building on the good parts of the past and letting go of the rest.

As this your concludes, we are all invited to reflect on the transformation 2024 has brought. I am grateful for Hatha Yoga Center continuing to serve its community. I’ve been blessed and honored to work privately with many of our members.

My family is happy and healthy. I have many friends around the world who have checked in with me during this holiday season. My spiritual connection has never been stronger. 

How is your reflection on 2024 going? Can you see how despite the many issues in your life, you are growing wiser? Ki to Happiness reflects on 2024 to refine intentions for 2025.

I’m happy to be instructing this morning‘s classes. Last year at this time I was unable due to injuring my left wrist. I’m grateful to have been able to get the classes covered, thanks to Chris List.

2024 brought a lot of challenges for all of us. I’m thankful that it is coming to a joyous conclusion for me, with my body intact and my heart full of lessons to offer others as blessings. I pray 2024 ends well for each and every reader, student, client, friend and family member of HYC for a great start to 2025.

Are you beginning to reflect on your lessons and blessings from 2024? What have you learned from your challenges? Ki to Happiness reflects with gratitude for challenges becoming opportunities for evolution and healing.

The sun broke through the clouds just in time to illuminate my photo shoot. It’s been 5 years since launching my website and new pictures will refresh it, my brochures and business cards. One of our gifted community members has taken on the project and is bringing his talents and skills to the task.

We worked well together, making use of the beautiful light. We captured the images we had hoped for. Soon, the next steps in the process, we will be underway for the new year.

How well do you work with others? Does the universe cooperate with your efforts by giving you right conditions, lighting, and timing? Ki to Happiness appreciates the sun breaks at the precise timing, lighting up our planned photo shoot making it easier to work together.

The day after Christmas is a good day to let go of our excesses. The Canadian tradition includes boxing up stuff that’s no longer needed to gift to those who are in need of such things. Especially after opening gifts yesterday, you might find that you have an abundance and are willing to offer something to others from your generous heart.

19 years ago, my parents renewed their vows on this day. I have an abundance of memories which I offer to you here. Their loving union spanned over 50 years with many holidays together around the tree, opening gifts and feasting.

What do you have an abundance of that you might offer to others? Can you box it up and give it away? Ki to Happiness has an abundance of joyous memories that could never fit in a box.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas from Hatha Yoga Center. My morning practice is full of gratitude for each and every one of you. Thank you for awakening the spirit of Christmas in your heart all through the year.

 Every day is Christmas with our practices.  Awakening to the light within and seeing it in others unites us in the higher consciousness called by many names. Sharing that gift brightens the darkness, warms the cold, and brings joy and peace.

What practices continues the Christmas spirit throughout the year? How can you share that gift? Ki to Happiness wishes you a Happy Holiday today and everyday with Hatha Yoga Center.