Indiana & Yoga Magazine Winter 2017 Issue 2 | Page 59

PHYSICAL YOGA

To the Top ! A Rock Climber ’ s Yoga

By Danielle Wolter Nolan
I began practicing yoga nearly ten years ago , and within the past five years started implementing yoga into my pre and post athletic training . Studies indicate , having a dynamic and active warm-up routine that engages body and mind can improve performance and decrease injury for athletes . Yoga is becoming not only a standalone practice , but also a complement to numerous sports to increase athletic ability .
Rock climbing is gaining a massive amount of traction in the United States . This year is experiencing a 13 percent growth rate for rock-climbing gym openings , the highest increase expected in the history of the sport . Epic documentaries , such as Meru and Valley Uprising , are beginning to increase awareness and make the sport more popular . I began rock climbing in college but did not get serious about the sport until several years ago . My wife and I started climbing together to switch up our own workout routine . Soon we wanted to take our skills to the next level with an outdoor climbing trip , so we could become “ real ” rock climbers .
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