Get reptilian!
What do reptiles and restorative yoga have in common? Brumation!
Brumation is a period of dormancy, similar to hibernation, during which an organism becomes physically inactive. It is an adaptive strategy, used by some cold-blooded animals like reptiles and amphibians to survive cold temperatures.
Restorative yoga is a style of asana during which slightly atypical or challenging shapes for the body are held for long periods of time, and supported by props to facilitate ease and relaxation.
So, a human-and-herpetofauna-inclusive definition of brumation might be: a state of productive inactivity in a cozy spot during cold weather.
For a snake, that cozy spot might be a hibernaculum in a sturdy rock wall; for a turtle, perhaps a burrow in the mucky bottom of a pond. For a human, that cozy spot can be a yoga mat (or soft rug, or even a bed) surrounded by blankets and pillows.
How is brumation productive? Simply put, it allows us all to survive. Without it, some animals wouldn’t make it through the winter; and, without the physiological and mental benefits of allowing our bodies productive relaxation, human life is a bit more of a struggle.
~ Guest Blogger and Sun & Moon teacher Alison Zak