Downtown Yoga

I recently had the opportunity to take some beautiful photos at Downtown Yoga, one of the studios where I practice. I always enjoy going there because I love their hardwood floors, airy studios, and industrial-size windows.

It's easy to find mindfulness and peace in such a beautiful place. I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to practice here!

Climbing + Yoga

I can't think of two physical activities that complement each other better than climbing and yoga do. In my mind, they are yin and yang– yoga is yin, relaxed, soft, and mindful; while climbing, as yang, is active, dynamic, and powerful. Yet true to the concept of yin and yang, both disciplines embody characteristics of the other. Yoga can be an outward expression of energy and power, while climbing can encompass inward reflection and focus.

Besides the more philosophical complements of the two activities, there are also physical complements to consider. For example, in climbing, the wrist is almost always bent at a forwards angle while using the holds.

See how my wrists are both at a slightly forward angle (meaning they are bending towards the direction of my palms)? This can cause wrist pain and even tendonitis for many climbers.

Whereas in yoga, many poses require the wrists to be bent backwards (meaning the direction away from the palms). 

Similarly, many positions like this one in yoga can cause discomfort or even pain in the wrists (especially when in performed in the improper form). 

But by using the wrists in both activities but in different ways, it strengthens them in a very balanced manner.

That is just one facet by which yoga improves my climbing performance and vice versa; I could continue listing the skills that they both require, such as:

1. Flexibility
2. Smooth, controlled movements
3. Proper use of breath
4. Power transitions between poses/holds
5. Two words: CORE STRENGTH.

And so on. 

I'm so lucky that I find such enjoyment in yoga and climbing. Both have transformed my life in different ways, and I can't wait to continue my journey of improvement. 

The Heist

In a previous post, I wrote about The Heist, an all-women's bouldering competition, that I was going to compete in. I had pretty low goals for myself (I'm much better at sport climbing than I am at bouldering), but I wanted to go for the experience. 

What I didn't expect was to have an amazing time, in addition to pushing myself out of my comfort zone and succeeding. 

Bouldering, for those of you who don't know, is a form of rock climbing that requires one to ascend or traverse the wall (or rock) without any sort of safety gear. Usually in indoor rock climbing gyms, the wall height rarely exceeds 15 feet or so (unlike the one these crazy kids are climbing on the cover of Dead Point Magazine):

However, the gym that was hosting the competition (Central Rock Watertown) had a bouldering wall that you had to top-out on; meaning you climbed over the top of the wall, simulating an actual boulder. This means you are required to hoist yourself over a thick ledge 15+ feet off the ground, after your fingers and forearms are swollen from a strenuous bouldering problem. Woof.

The whole toping-out thing was especially scary for me, considering I went to the ER on a  bad bouldering fall not two months ago. Still, the whole point of me competing in The Heist was to push myself out of my comfort zone, so I stuck with it.

But let me tell you something about bouldering comps. It is intimating as all heck to have a dozen other girls (including professional climbers) watching you attempt to flash a problem for maximum points. My hands shook on every single problem I did, even though I wasn't competing for points. 

My main goal for the whole competition was actually just to complete one route cleanly. Not a lofty goal, for sure; but my climbing buddy Abby told me they bumped up the difficulties for competitions. 

In the end, I surpassed my goal by more than I even imagined– I completed 10 routes cleanly, with the hardest being a clean, first-attempt V2 (something I've never even done practicing in the gym). I guess that's one good thing about having low goals– it's really easy to meet them!

However, this was a great lesson in learning how to believe in myself. In fear of disappointing myself and my friends, I set really low goals that I felt confident I could meet. But I am so much more capable than that. In a recent yoga class, we meditated on how each and every one of us contains a reservoir of grace, light, and strength that is waiting to be tapped into. We, as individuals, have infinite possibilities within us. Having faith in that potential is (for me) a continuing practice. 

I'm so glad I competed in The Heist, even though I was nervous. It was an incredible learning experience that I'll never forget. And seeing all those amazing girls climb was incredibly empowering. Women are amazing and multifaceted (and can apparently amass more muscle than your average male). Seeing what my competitors were capable of only inspired me to work harder at my training and become a better climber.

Abby, Erika, and I goofing around

(Also, a HUGE shout out to Abby, who won THIRD PLACE in the Beginner's Category! Congrats Abby, you earned it!!)

Bucket List: Deep Water Soloing in Mallorca

Yesterday, I sent my first 5.11-. It wasn't the cleanest climb I've ever done (I had to stop and rest a lot), but I made it to the top. As physically demanding as this route was for me, it was just as much of a mental problem as it was athletic. When I got to the crux of the route, I had to try a few different positions to get past it, almost reducing me to tears of frustration. However, when I finally got past the crux and pushed my way to the top, I felt such an incredible sense of elation and accomplishment like I've never felt before on the wall. Even though my forearms were pumped and my fingers were locked, I felt so proud that I didn't give up on the route.

But what was the most satisfying was knowing that I was improving. For a while, I felt like I had plateaued on 5.10's, but I wasn't really stepping outside my comfort zone to push myself onto harder routes. So it was really gratifying knowing that I could succeed even when I was reaching the limits of my ability.

To reward myself for this improvement, I allowed myself to dream about the day when I'm good enough to go Deep Water Soloing in Mallorca, Spain.

For those of you who don't know, Deep Water Soloing is a form of free-climbing where you're not attached to any ropes or safety equipment– it's just you and the rock. But when you fall, you'll just fall into whatever body of water is beneath you. How awesome is that?

One day I'd absolutely love to travel to Mallorca and do some climbing there. Obviously, I'd like to wait until I'm good enough to enjoy the routes, and not struggling through them like I often am now. But I know that waiting will only make it more worth it when I finally do go!

Taking a Step Back

This past week was pretty tough. As this is the first time in 17 years that I haven't gone back to school in the fall, it's been hard adjusting to the relative monotony and seriousness of corporate life. Don't get me wrong– I'm beyond grateful to have a job in an economy where many are still struggling to find work. It is this gratitude that keeps me going.

However, at some point in our lives we can't help but stop and wonder– what are we working for? What's the end goal? Are we just working to have money so we can enjoy life? Or are we in it for the job and the fulfillment of our careers? 

One thing's for certain– corporate finance is not my life's passion. Although I'm not entirely sure what is my passion, I know it's not that. Now, I'm left to figure out if I can create a full and happy life having that as my job. Will it be enough to just be a "weekend warrior", living for the times I can be outside and truly enjoying life? Or will I eventually need to make a change?

I don't have the answers yet.

This past weekend, I wanted to take some time alone with my pup to reflect on life and the future. We took a lovely hike together in the woods, letting the beauty and simplicity of nature cancel out any of the stresses or worries of the prior week.

After a hike like that, I always come out feeling stronger, calmer, and more in-tune with myself. It's amazing the transformative effect that nature has. And although I'm still not totally convinced that I won't give up corporate life and live in a cabin in the woods à la Walden, I feel refreshed and energized knowing that the world outside will always remain there for me.