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Mindfulness and compassion techniques for regaining composure in climbing

Climb what you can today, not what you think you ‘should’ be able to

Flow: the basics

This intriguing mental state describes everything about optimal climbing performance, and our best experiences.

Can meditation and mindfulness make us better climbers?

Mindfulness and meditation can positively impact our well-being, but can also improve our climbing performance in more ways than one. In this article, we'll explore how meditation and mindfulness might improve our climbing and how you could benefit from having a mindfulness practice.

Visualisation for bold climbing

I’ve enjoyed the process of bold climbing ever since I became a climber. I’ve always been drawn to the psychological challenge, what bold climbing can teach me about myself and [in particular] the headspace required to be calm and in-control in a high-consequence situation.

Fight, flight, freeze

Fight, flight, or freeze is activated by our sympathetic nervous system in response to a stressful situation. The stress caused by the fear of falling or failing can be detrimental when climbing. So, how do we recognise this response and overcome it? This article provides a small insight into what is a very broad and well-researched topic. In the Strong Mind Course, we cover this topic in depth.

Where do people go wrong with fall practice?

Fall practice is a tricky area in climbing. Apart from being neglected or completely overlooked, it’s often done badly. There are common misconceptions about fall practice and a few conventions in the climbing world that lead climbers against the principles we can learn from science. Not only is a bad fall practice less effective, it’s more dangerous, can often ingrain fear and perpetuates the idea that we can’t or shouldn't train our minds for climbing (or falling!).

What are some important types of ‘Mindset’?

In this article, we break down four types of mindset that if applied, can benefit your climbing.

What is Mindset and how can you work on it?

In many cases, mindsets do not change overnight but they shift slowly in one direction. In terms of changing behaviour and thinking patterns, making sure that we are part of the decision-making process and recognising the things that are within our control can be enough to begin the shift to a better mindset.

Why does climbing feel harder when we are scared? And what are affordances?

Given that stress affects our affordances, it’s important that we understand how to manage and train our minds for climbing – for our performance if not for our enjoyment and wellbeing too! This is what mental training is all about.

Is trying to calm down really helpful?

How reframing your anxiety into excitement can boost your performance

The Power of Trying Hard

Have you ever had the feeling that only sheer will power has kept you on the rock? Perhaps you weren’t even on great form, you’d been stressed or a nagging injury was affecting your climbing, but you sent a route at your limit—not because you floated up it, or got into flow state, but because you tried really hard. It can feel like you tap into a new level of determination—or your body takes over and you let everything else go—and somehow find yourself on the finishing holds.

Why the distinction between rational and irrational fear isn't that helpful

In this blog we discuss why making the distinction between rational and irrational fear or real and perceived risk isn't that helpful.

Hazel answers common questions about mental training for climbing and the Strong Mind course

Hazel answers common questions about mental training for climbing and the Strong Mind course

A conversation with flow-state expert Cameron Norsworthy

Cameron Norsworthy from the Flow Centre chats to Hazel Findlay about what flow state is, how to access it and what the barriers to flow are. This conversation was recorded for the Curious Climber podcast.

Free Taster Course

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Strong Mind coaching exists to provide climbers and other athletes and performers with the tools, practices and strategies they need to manage their fears instead of being limited by them so they can perform at their best.
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