How to climb the Himalayas. . .
. . . one step at a time.
I was inspired by the spirit of an article in Straits Times Life! page 7, "Trekking with altitude". You can read the online version at: http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/life/story/0,4386,262293-1090360740,00.html? The box story is not on the online version. It is there that the writer gives some tips on how to prepare for the demanding journey.
In particular, she listed:
Physical: Do 50 squats a day for a month to develop strong thigh muscles.
Mental: Hone a never-give-up mentality and an open mind -- how else could you experience something so different from home?
I've read and talked to many a mountaineer/adventurer talking about their feats. Mostly, they will end up talking about their feet. . . Up to a certain point in their journeys, the entire adventure becomes reduced to focusing on merely "putting one foot in front of the next". Sure the pre-trip preparation and physical toning helps but in the end, it boils down to whether you have the determination to simply go on when you want to stop.
You do not need to go to the Himalayas to have the chance to practise this. Right here, in our daily lives -- think of all the things you may want to give up because they are becoming tiresome, tedious, boring -- then think of the view up there at the peak, your dreams, your wanting to experience "something so different from home", different from your usual life -- then put one foot in front of the other. Breathe. Trek on today. Everyday presents a chance to live entirely in the moment -- be aware of your climb step by step. Each step becomes a bond linking your mind and body -- a single concentration -- this is yoga.
On a separate note, I am also inspired to help you out by doing more squats -- let's work up to 50 a day together! See you in class!. . . I hope!
I was inspired by the spirit of an article in Straits Times Life! page 7, "Trekking with altitude". You can read the online version at: http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/life/story/0,4386,262293-1090360740,00.html? The box story is not on the online version. It is there that the writer gives some tips on how to prepare for the demanding journey.
In particular, she listed:
Physical: Do 50 squats a day for a month to develop strong thigh muscles.
Mental: Hone a never-give-up mentality and an open mind -- how else could you experience something so different from home?
I've read and talked to many a mountaineer/adventurer talking about their feats. Mostly, they will end up talking about their feet. . . Up to a certain point in their journeys, the entire adventure becomes reduced to focusing on merely "putting one foot in front of the next". Sure the pre-trip preparation and physical toning helps but in the end, it boils down to whether you have the determination to simply go on when you want to stop.
You do not need to go to the Himalayas to have the chance to practise this. Right here, in our daily lives -- think of all the things you may want to give up because they are becoming tiresome, tedious, boring -- then think of the view up there at the peak, your dreams, your wanting to experience "something so different from home", different from your usual life -- then put one foot in front of the other. Breathe. Trek on today. Everyday presents a chance to live entirely in the moment -- be aware of your climb step by step. Each step becomes a bond linking your mind and body -- a single concentration -- this is yoga.
On a separate note, I am also inspired to help you out by doing more squats -- let's work up to 50 a day together! See you in class!. . . I hope!
