Boulder has been a climbing mecca for decades. From the early days, when CU students were putting up some of the more difficult routes on the Flatirons, to the explosion of climbing in the ’80s & ’90s and the challenge of the Eldorado Canyon walls. Climbing is one of those sports in Boulder that never seems to lose its appeal. Maybe it’s the thrill of the climb, the satisfaction of completing a challenge, or the beauty of being outside in the fresh air. 

Regardless of why you love to climb, there’s always room to improve and stay healthy.

It’s no secret that Boulder is home to many climbing communities. Whether traditional, sport, or bouldering, climbing continues to grow in popularity. In 2018, there were approximately 9.84 million participants in climbing in the U.S., up from 9.68 million the previous year.¹

Most climbers expect a fair amount of bumps and bruises as a part of their sport. Injuries like rotator cuff tears, pulley tears, tendonitis, and shoulder subluxations are common enough. 

Kaiut Yoga can be another tool to help climbers recover (and even avoid) physical injuries. When we expand our viewpoint, however, Kaiut Yoga can also help climbers improve their mental game to take their climbing to another level.

Here are 4 ways that Kaiut Yoga can uplevel your climbing skills:

1. Improve focus and concentration: Climbing is as much a mental game as a physical one. During a Kaiut Yoga class, students are able to practice a variety of mental challenges. KY includes attention/awareness practices that stimulate new neural connections across the body, upgrading the entire system.
2. Learn how to disengage from intensity while remaining calm inside:
   Kaiut sequences offer a variety of intensity levels to engage with. Life often presents different levels of challenge, as well as, intensity. On the Kaiut mat, we have times when we practice observing ourselves mentally during a more intense physical challenge. The practice here is that we’re not overriding the body or nervous system, nor becoming numb to or ignoring the intensity. We are recognizing recurring stories and mental habits attached to physical sensations and pain. And then, we have the opportunity to re-route the approach. This skill of being fully aware of our internal terrain while experiencing a physical challenge is particularly beneficial for those who love climbing.
3. Build flexibility and fluidity: The ability to move fluidly in tandem with the rock is an important aspect of climbing as well as bouldering. Because of the finger holds, the stress on the shoulders, and the repetitive external rotation of the pelvis/thighs- even the best of climbers can become locked in their physical movement patterns. The inherent variety within the Kaiut Yoga practice is critical for climbers and other athletes who want to maintain a high level of mobility and fluidity.
   
4. Improve recovery time:
   Upon asking our student athletes, “What are you noticing the most from your Kaiut Yoga practice?” Within one month of practice, the most common response is that recovery time has significantly improved and that a sense of wellbeing has increased. Kaiut Yoga’s approach to circulation, the nervous system, and joint mobility has a very positive impact on an athlete’s recovery time.
   

Whether you’re a casual climber or you’re looking to advance in your sport- Kaiut Yoga just might be the tool to not only compliment your climbing passion but to take it to a new level. Checkout the Kaiut Yoga Boulder class schedule.