om body
I
t’s that time of year again when my
duvet begins to generate its own
magnetic force field. The closer I get
to it the more I’m drawn towards its
cosy, squishy, warm loveliness, and
the longer I want to stay.
In this part of the world there are a
number of reasons why our favourite
comfort blankets are becoming even more
irresistible. For some of us it’s the darker-
than-dark mornings; I find it hard to get on
with people who are chirpy in the mornings
at the best of times, but if you’re one of
those people who spring into a December
morning with a skip in your step we can
never be friends.
Or perhaps it’s the gloomy evenings that
seem to start drawing in even before you’ve
finished your lunch. When you’re going to
work in the dark, coming home in the dark,
and seeing less sunshine than Dracula, it’s
no wonder that you figure you might as
well cut your losses and climb under the
eiderdown at any opportunity.
Of course, as we’re barreling towards
yet another festive season your inclination
towards creating an impenetrable fort with
your favourite bedding could have more
to do with the impending arrival of every
annoying relative you’ve so far managed to
avoid at family gatherings.Whatever the reason
- I feel your pain
But here’s the good news. It’s not our fault. In
winter we have a natural tendency to want to
conserve energy. Scientists have researched
this stuff, and discovered that it’s part of our
evolutionary heritage. When it comes down
to it, whilst we’re living in the 21st century
our basic genetic make-up hasn’t changed
that much since we were living in caves and
grunting at each other. (Again – maybe that’s
what your Christmas is going to feel like.)
In prehistoric times we needed to avoid
the risk of starvation, and whilst we couldn’t
quite go into a full-on hibernation like some
of our furry friends, we definitely needed to
adapt our behaviours. So it was natural for
us to slow down.
The fact is that when our exposure
to daylight is reduced, our melatonin
production increases, which in turn increases
our need to sleep. Our autonomic nervous
system kicks in to conserve energy; our
heart rate slows, our sex drive decreases,
and our need to take on calories increases.
(Another mince pie, anyone? Oh go on –
it’s biology.)
Yet here we are in the modern world, with
artificial lighting and heated environments,
which means we can keep on keeping on.
As we overcome and conquer nature, we
find ourselves totally out of sync with our
Circadian rhythms.
Of course, I’m not suggesting that we all
shut up shop, hunker down and do nothing
until Spring pops up over the horizon, but
taking a moment to recognise that sometimes
our bodies need to slow down and be nurtured
in different ways at different times of the year
can do us the world of good.
So with that in mind, and as a homage to
my terrific togged friend (the duvet) here are
some gentle, soothing, nurturing poses you
may like to try. For extra loveliness you don’t
even need to leave your bed to do them. Try
and stay in each pose (and make sure you
do each side where appropriate) for at least
30 seconds.You’ll have to amend the way you fold/
roll your duvet depending on its size
and squishiness. If you need a bit more
padding feel free to treat yourself by
using a couple of pillows or cushions too.Meg Jackson is the founder of Real Life Yoga- a movement to help real people bring a
little (or a lot) of yoga into their real lives.
Join her for 1-2-1 lessons and group classes
in London, her workshops around the
country, and (coming soon) retreats around
the world. Find out more: reallifeyoga.net
Nesting and nurturing...
Roll your duvet into a long tube
shape. Wrap it around your lower
back and find a comfortable way
to sit cross-legged. Use as many
blankets and cushions as you need.
Bring the duvet all around you, so
that it supports under the knees and
covers your feet. I love the feeling of
having my lower back warmed, and
my toes toasty warm. Stay here and
breathe. Whenever the mind wanders
bring it back to your breath.Continue sequence >>>