As Summer rolls gently towards Fall and our Summer wellness classes come to an end, I have been pondering over the many things I wanted to achieve this summer. The places I wanted to visit, friends and family I wanted to see, projects I wanted completed and skills I wanted to cultivate. It is so easy in looking back to judge by what did not happen what was lacking rather than the abundance of joy and greatness which did happen.  The moments of peace, of companionship, the moments of practice, the moments of creativity. The photos below have reminded me of the abundance of joy which summer brought. 

Yoga is a wonderful reminder of the path between the past and future. I imagine this path as walking across an imaginary seesaw - if we are stood on the axis right in the middle this is the only place we can truly exist with balance. If we are walking straight across, facing forward,  the path behind us represents the past, the path in front of us the future.  Turn around and go back to the past or make one extra step into the future and our path will become off center and tilted. The  perfect place to be is right where we are now, in the present and the perfect person we should be in this moment is the one we are now. We can balance the past and present by concentrating on the 'now' staying in the centre of the beam - perfectly balanced in the moment. 

There are many great yogis who have summed this up far better than my seesaw scenario. The seesaw scenario may imply you are stuck in one place - that is not the concept of being present - you are not stuck in the present you are 'being in the present'. The present is fluid; it is the opposite of being stuck - it is a moment ready to be molded. A moment of hope. The only moment we can guide. The only moment we can have the complete power of its direction. 

"Change only happens in the present moment. The past is already done. The future is just energy and intention." - Kino MacGregor.

"Yoga begins right where I am - not where I was yesterday or where I long to be." - Linda Sparrow

So as we look back on summer - do it with kindness and humility. Focus on the moments of abundance and joy, the moments of growth. If there are regrets about things done or not done - exhale deeply and let them go. If there are fears for the future maybe the start of the school year or forthcoming events - exhale deeply and let them go. Then remember to inhale deeply - to fill your lungs with the potential of the here and now make the next exhale an acknowledgement that you are right where you are supposed to be - right here and now. 

Thank you to everyone who attended the Summer Wellness Yoga series our theme was to be present in our surroundings. You did a great job. Here in Colorado we are surrounded by beauty - yet it is easy to get tied up in our lives and forget . Our practice was without music or distractions - we took time to take our feet and hands off our mat and onto the grass. We let the breeze and nature sounds be part of our time. I look forward to offering a Fall version. As the weather gets cooler our Wellness Yoga could move to yoga and a hike.   

It is not too late - there is still one Summer Series Wellness Class left  - Monday 5th August at 9.30am - Broadmoor Bluffs Park - opposite Cheyenne Mountain Elementary.  

NEXT COMMUNITY YOGA - 28th August 2024

Do you know someone who you think would benefit from having Yoga in their lives ? Maybe they have asked you about yoga but are shy to attend a group class? Maybe you know someone who occasionally does yoga but never really learnt the fundamentals ? This class series is for them. Help them boost their confidence in yoga in a small group environment. I would love to welcome them to the Red Cat Yoga Community. Please invite them to join this class. 

Thank you for being part of this community.  

I would love for you to leave me a review (see below for links to Yelp and Google) or just share this newsletter with a friend. Invite them to join us on Facebook. Feel free to contact me at anytime with ideas or comments. redcatyoga@yahoo.com I am here to serve you.  

Stay sthira sukham - Steady and Joyful. 

Laura McCracken

Owner and Founder of Red Cat Yoga