YOGA BREATHWORK FOR CLIMBING

Awareness and control of breathing is fundamental to yoga. It helps us to bring mindfulness to our movements; to come in and out of poses; to enhance stability and posture; and to achieve a calmer and more relaxed state of mind and body.

All of which, of course, can be invaluable in climbing too.

DOWNHILL FROM HERE?

CLIMBING THROUGH MIDDLE-AGE AND BEYOND
The gradual loss of physical performance with age can be frustrating for any keen climber. In this article I attempt to find the balance between an acceptance of the inevitability of aging, and a determination to keeping enjoying both climbing itself, and its physiological benefits.

YOGA FOR FLEXIBLE HIPS

High steps. Wide bridging. Toe jamming in cracks. Awkward moves under bulges and overhangs. All these movements are more accessible to you if can move your hips freely. In my experience teaching yoga to climbers, lack of hip flexibility is one of the most common reasons climbers want to give yoga a try. This article suggests ways yoga can help improve hip flexibility – in all directions of movement.

YOGA BASICS: EFFECTIVE STRETCHING

You know that yoga is supposed to improve flexibility, but what’s the best way to gain the improvements you want to see? This article is particularly aimed at climbers who are new to yoga, or who are struggling with flexibility. But even experienced yogis can benefit from learning more about the physiology of stretching.

YOGA, SCAPULAR STABILITY AND CLIMBERS’ ELBOW

Causes and effective treatments for elbow tendinopathies like Climbers’ Elbow must be one of the most contested topics in climbing performance. There’s an emerging consensus that reduced scapular stability and poor posture may increase your susceptibility to elbow tendinopathies. This article explains the importance of scapular stability and suggests how yoga can build awareness, alignment and strength in your shoulders.

BONE HEALTH, CLIMBING AND YOGA

This article is to draw attention to the importance of bone health, and the steps you can take at any stage of life to optimise your own bone health, now and for the future.

And of course I’ll be talking about how yoga can help – whether for people living with osteoporosis, or for those wanting to develop good postural habits earlier in life.

YOGA FOR KNEE HEALTH

Climbing and other outdoor activities keep us healthy in many ways. One exception is the wear and tear our activities inflict on our knees! Crag approaches are often arduous: steep; on rough ground; and usually carrying a heavy mat or sack of gear. Climbing moves such as rock-overs and drop-knees also put unusual strains on […]

OPENING THE HIP FLEXORS

Desk work, driving and (unfortunately) climbing can all cause the hip flexors (muscles at the front of the hip) to become shortened and tight. Tight hip flexors can affect the alignment of pelvis and femur, ultimately leading to back and knee pain. Poses which release and lengthen the hip flexors not only reduce back and […]

ESPECIALLY FOR WOMEN OUTDOORS

Most toddlers can squat easily, but in our western lifestyle we can lose that ability. Regaining our ability to squat has benefits for everyone. Whether we’re unpacking gear from a rucksack, talking to a small child, or loading a washing machine. Because if we can bend fully at the knees and hips, we don’t need […]

MINDFUL BELAYING

When belaying a leader or top-roper we need to stand steadily, look up, and not get distracted – the last of these being especially hard at a busy crag or wall. Yoga techniques can help us to improve the posture, stand more steadily, and focus the mind. Next time you’re on a long belay, try […]