October 2026

Happy October lovely friends and yogis,

This month I traveled to the UK to see my family and it was wonderful. Making space and time to go and celebrate my Mother's birthday was the best decision I have made this year. Seeing my family was uplifting. The weather was stunning. And my calendar was free from the usual jobs and events, so I could enjoy every moment. Being at home with my family reminded me that you can return to a space of comfort many, many times and still feel renewed by that comfort and acceptance.

Freedom from thoughts of upcoming events and freedom from thoughts of events which had passed allowed me to live in the moment and allow the comfort and joy of being with my family soak it into my soul.

In yoga there is a word called 'Atha'. 'Atha'is the first word of the yoga sutras and it means 'now' in sanskrit but it is a little more than that direct translation. 'Atha' is a little more than just being present in a moment. 'Atha' presumes that there has been a past lived experience that has lead to up to this 'now'. This 'now' is more than switching off and becoming present it is accepting everything which led you to this moment. It is the feeling of comfort which I felt returning home.

Our brains are built to think in the past and future. If you could write down all your thoughts today you would probably find that the majority of your thoughts are about something you did in the past or something you need to do in the future. Thoughts about the past and the future with some present moments sprinkled in between.

'Atha' encourages us to experience the past and be thoughtful about the future but to return to the 'now' with focus and renewal.

Atha allows us to reset. I have recently heard it described as a gentle metronome swinging from future and past but always returning to the middle. Returning to the middle where the 'now' resides. In yoga coming back to the now the 'atha' is a conscious decision. A decision not to dwell in the past which can trigger despression or stay in the future which can produce elements of anxiety. A decision not to endlessly wonder through our fears, our desires or fuel out egos. But to be the master of the one thing you can control - THIS MOMENT.

'Atha' is a constant renewal it is always fresh and vibrant and undemanding.

I feel as though I felt this in the UK and I feel this in yoga. In the UK, I was freed from my usual routine and constraints I could embrace each moment as a new one, free from expectations. This is how I wish you could feel during your day and each time you return to your mat for your practice.

Allow your mat to be your gentle metronome. A gentle sway back to the present. Something you do without it feeling forced or a burden. The sway gentle guides you back to this moment propeled and fueled by all those experiences you have had up until now.

'Atha' on the mat is the falling out of a balance pose and trying again. It is letting go of urges to push into the stretch or pose which felt simple yesterday and feels hard today.

Off the mat it is the making mistakes and getting back up and trying again. It is letting go of that awkward moment or lack of judgement you made today.

On and off the mat 'Atha' offers us the grace to forgive the past not be scared of the future. It is the ability to find releif that it is how you chose to behave in this present moment that really matters.

I invite you to chose the word ATHA as your mantra this month to allow you to return effortlessly to the now and treat each time you do with curiosity not judgement. To allow yourself grace to make mistakes with a new sense of impowerment and lightness. To inhabit the now without the heavy haunting of the past or the weight of future expectations.

Treat the power of this perpetual return to the 'Atha' as a return to a space of comfort you can visit many, many times and still feel renewed by that comfort and acceptance. Just like my trip back to my family where I feel ease and acceptance. I wish that for you in that comfort of 'Atha'.

If I can help you in your yoga practice or on your mindfulness journey, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Laura McCracken

Owner of Red Cat Yoga

Our own Red Cat Monthly Moment - Hello Alfie.

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Pose of the Month

Wind release POse

(Pawanmuktasana)

Benefits

Improves digestion.
Reduces Bloating.
Lengthens the spine.
Lower back release.
Releases tension in the lumbar region.
Releases stress and tension.
Balances emotions.
De-stressing and relaxing

did you know we have a whole page dedicated to POses ? CLICK HERE

Thank you so much for reading this - you are so valued.

Please consider joining me in a community lesson or private lesson - in person or online. I would be honored to assist you in your Yoga or Mindfulness journey.

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