A Glimpse

When I was six .. I developed a penchant for climbing trees, telephone poles, buildings, rocks, whatever… that got me off the ground.. elevated my perspective.. Just loved getting up high as I could.. capturing those views that one rarely sees standing on the ground…

Then at Nine? or 10?.. I had this wonderful dream.. I was on top of a large rock.. looking down over the edge.. I could see friends and family, strangers as they were passing by below.. it was an exquisitely intoxicating feeling.. being on top of that Rock... That was 60+ years ago, though the dream still remains..

A couple days ago exploring and bouldering.. at my favorite place a couple miles from home.. and Boom I discovered a new Jewel.. a Boulder about 10 feet high that was covered in potential.. Climbing routes that were realistic for this old buzzard.. so I carefully excitedly started working from the easiest to the hardest.. My Whole Body gaining power, renewed balance, flexibility, clarity, confidence and stamina.. as I discovered what moves worked and those that did not.. This appropriately stimulates the brain under a healthy pressure to clearly deliberate and accurately discern.. You don't want to fall so you have to get it right..

Staying within my limits.. I methodically worked my way around the formation.. I was in heaven.. The ultimate gym for a rock climber. Colossal views of the Mono Basin and loaded with bouldering formations for almost a square mile.. Indescribable....

Decades of yoga practice has blessed me today with the ability to climb at the age of 75.. A little arthritic, but my body is still very capable.. It takes work, but boy is it fun!.

Now, if I'm down in Southern California spending time with my children grandchildren, I thoroughly enjoy local climbing gyms.. lots of fun ones to get a good crank in.. Most major metropolitan areas around the country have a variety to choose from… give it a try if you haven't.. gyms are Safe way to explore the world of climbing..

But whenever you can, getting on real rock should be a priority.. Pulling on plastic holds found in gyms though super fun does not release Prana.. They can keep you strong, but real rock generates more benefits.. and a more powerful experience..

One lesser known of those benefits is that through the fingers and hands as you clutch rock.. prana surges into the body.. This is big… The Earths Prana [Life Force..] begins Nourishing the entire human body.. It's like recharging a battery.. with wonderful deeply, revitalizing energy.. all systems of the human body benefit.. From your immune system, to the brain, your bone marrow, nervous system connective tissues… instantly good things happen… somewhat subtle at first, but by the end of the session you will want more.... It's a form of grounding .. Reconnecting to your mother.. Mother Earth… Do it for a couple of hours and you're supercharged.. Feeling on top of the world..

No matter your age, get outside today and play your edge a little.. maybe that's just going for a longer walk or maybe that's pumping some steel.. maybe your Yoga/Asana practice needs a new posture, or a better refined breath to complement a special Asana?

So Keep it fresh.. change it up…

Even If you haven't been quiet as disciplined as you should have been lately.. then start a new and put easy reasonable demands back on the body more consistently and watch it change .. Your quality of life Will also change for the better.. Build your temple back up.. Age has got little to do with fitness.. Dreaming Big has got everything to do with it ..

An 18 foot Highball with a Beautiful swath of Orange sunburst lichen.. top rope time.. I try to stay off the Orange Sunburst.. Mother Natures Rembrandt..

Doug Robinson once said ’Try and move across the stone like a cloud leaving no trace of passage..’ so that's always the goal… but He made the comment while climbing on Half Dome’s high quality granite.. these Aeolian Buttes have a more fragile volcanic composition.. not as burley.. Sections can be very fragile.. so I climb around them and try not to touch some flakes..

North face closer

South face, same formation … a pumpy overhang

The Mono Basin.. the Paiutes refer to it as the place of Great Spirit..

Peace..

We Got This..