YOGASCENT – ALBERTO MILANI AND CRISTINE SPIEZIA – THE CONNECTION BETWEEN YOGA AND CLIMBING
This final reductive conception, with the addition of that
All of this gives us well-being in addition to performance.
fake oriental halo that makes it so cool, easily attracted a
Therefore, if you are only interested in this “practical” ap-
growing mass of people, and many climbers are among
proach, you will find the technical explanations to achieve
them. Great part of the “vertical population” has (re)dis-
that here. However, even in that case, remember that be-
covered Yoga only as a complementary tool for climbing
tween Yoga and stretching or fitness there is a substantial
training: a positive aspect, but reductive. Another part of
difference: in the practice of Asanas the mind must remain
them, instead, approached Yoga with that anxious need for
present, concentrated and focused on the body, on what
performance and physical strength, that often characteriz-
we feel while we keep the position, on a calm and deep
es the attitude towards climbing.
breathing flux and on self-awareness.
Coming back to the starting point of this introduction, the remarks mentioned should not be revised now because the
Awareness. Presence in the “here and now”, to be in the
diffusion of Yoga has finally revealed its connection with
moment. Mind control together with body control. These
climbing, but because, now more than ever, it is funda-
aspects are fundamental in the practice of Yoga, even if on-
mental to remember what the meaning of this millennial
ly limited to training. Otherwise, if you are interested in
discipline is, without which it is impossible to understand
Yoga not only as a set of techniques, but as a spiritual path
the true and deep connection with climbing.
of inner exploration, then you will be able to experience it
Yoga is not stretching, it is not cult of the body, it is not
in its most true and complete nature. This is the starting
becoming more skilled in executing Asanas (positions): it is
point also to look at climbing from a different perspective,
first of all a path of self-awareness starting for sure from
discovering that it can also be practiced with a deeper
the body, but using it as a means to explore the deepest
awareness, so as to be considered a real form of Yoga! This
states of our consciousness. The body is only the starting
handbook thus is not intended only to give some sugges-
point and Asanas have the objective to bring it back to a
tions on “Yoga for climbing”, but it has the more challeng-
healthy state, purify it from toxins, improve the psy-
ing purpose to help consider “climbing as Yoga”.
cho-physical well-being and release the energetic channels
This is why, as a first step, we will analyse how, in fact,
to prepare them for the next steps.
climbing and spirituality have always been connected!
These prerequisites are important both to understand how to get closer to its practice and to its connection with
Living spiritually is living the moment. Yoga brings us in
climbing. Surely, not everybody can be interested in going
the present moment, making us aware of our
beyond Asanas, and this is even more true when Yoga tech-
posture, our movements and breathing.
niques are connected with climbing. If well executed, positions are useful to prevent injuries, increase flexibility,
Swami Vivekananda
as climbers. In the same way, Pranayama or meditation
SPIRITUALITY, YOGA AND CLIMBING: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
techniques are perfect to work on breathing or on mental
A close relationship always existed between spirituality
and emotional aspects connected with climbing.
and the concept of mountain!
fluidity, balance, concentration, strength and thus improve
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