Bone Health, Climbing and Yoga

For many of us, climbing is more than just a sport – it’s a way of life, and it defines who we are. And we hope we can continue climbing or enjoying the mountains throughout our lives. I know many climbers who are still very active in their 70s and into their 80s. But as […]

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 sack of gear. Climbing moves such as rock-overs and drop-knees also put unusual strains on the knees […]

Yoga for older climbers

What do I mean by ‘older climbers’? I mean climbers of any age who feel that their bodies don’t respond to the stresses of climbing as well as they once did. Maybe you feel less flexible or more prone to injury; maybe you’re finding that you need more frequent rest days and more careful warm-ups. […]

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 […]

For everyone, but 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 […]

About

I am a climber, a yoga teacher and an exercise referral instructor. I’m lucky enough to have climbed all over the world and to have travelled in many wild places in our van. Yoga started to change my life about 10 years ago. I’d just finished a period of intense computer work for the final […]

Why ‘Vertical Yoga’?

If you climb, I hope you’ve had moments like this. Your body is feeling good; you are feeling good. It’s a low gravity day. The route you’re climbing is close to, but not quite at your limits; you’re feeling challenged but confident. You adjust your hips and core to bring you into fine-tuned balance on […]

New posts coming soon…

More ideas, poses, sequences and reflections coming soon…