It’s no secret that yoga is great for the health of both body and brain, but many climbers underestimate just how beneficial this practice can be for performance on the wall. We also tend to forget that yoga does much more than just improve flexibility and lower your blood pressure. Today, we’re going to break down a few of yoga’s more underrated perks and unpack how these translate to sending success…
CHILL OUT
Being a human is pretty stressful these days. We’ve all been powering through the end of the world, and it’s all too easy to push yourself to breaking point. To disconnect from the hustle and focus on your own wellbeing is the best thing you can do for your health right now. Yoga’s ability to calm the mind is not exactly underrated, but many of us might not realise how much difference this can make in climbing.
First of all, yoga does not simply teach you how to unwind; it teaches you how to remain calm and collected while pushing through physical challenges. A great illustration of this is yoga’s focus on breath control. By learning how to synchronise our movements with the flow of our breathing, we gain the ability to push our physical limits without becoming flustered and frantic… and that’s pretty important when you’re hanging off the side of a cliff.
FUEL UP
This may seem counter-intuitive, but yoga is just as good for getting energised as it is for calming down. Not only does it get those endorphins pumping, but it also acts as a sort of ‘reboot’ for your body’ (a bit like turning your computer on and off again). Even just a quick session forces you to disconnect from whatever tension (physical and mental) you may be carrying, and that means you actually have energy for the important stuff. The more you do this, the better you become at letting go of unnecessary stress and redirecting your energy where it’s needed most (i.e. climbing).
Plus, taking care of yourself is pretty hard, and dedicating precious time and energy purely to uplifting your health is no small feat. That’s why it feels so damn good when you do. So, take the first step, get that well-deserved boost of pride, and ride the wave as long as you can.
TUNE IN
One of the most important skills you need to develop as a climber is the ability to be fully present and focused on the wall. Whether you’re in the gym or at the crag, you will almost always be faced with myriad distractions while you’re trying to send; if you can’t shut those out, you can expect many failed attempts.
Two of yoga’s foundational pillars are mindfulness and awareness of the body (also known as ‘proprioception’); these work in synergy to foster a deep connection between mind and body, which means vastly improved coordination and accuracy. The more often you engage in focused, intentional movement (like yoga), the better you become at manipulating your body in the correct ways to successfully achieve your objectives. Plus, you’re less likely to fall over and walk into things.
Yoga may not be the answer to all of life problems… but it’s pretty close. Give it a bash, keep an open mind, and prepare to become a lean, mean sending machine!
