Alexander climbing method workshop (Tarn and Jonte)
Duration : 5 days
France, Occitania
Level : 5c on lead
from 450 € / p. from 2 to 4 persons
Infos & Booking
Description
This 5 day workshop invites you to explore how the Alexander technique can be a powerful tool to transform our climbing.
For many years, the Alexander technique has been used in activities such as dance and music to enable people to better embody their activity and hence increase presence, fluidity and performance. The method offers a subtle exploration of self-awareness and of our reactions to the stimuli that life presents us with.
Climbing is a very powerful activity presenting us with numerous challenges. Staying centered, aware and calm despite these challenges is a prerequisite to safety and success. The stimuli we are confronted with during a climb are numerous. Especially when we want to push ourselves and progress: Pressure to send, fear of failure or falling, route finding while managing fatigue and safety, maintaining coordination with increasing fatigue... the list goes on.
The Alexander technique aims to bring awareness and tools to our climbing that enable us to inhibit harmful habits and tension and instead apply appropriate effort and clear choices. Harmful fear reactions can be transformed into productive application and intuitive movement.
A number of climbers I have worked with using the Alexander principles say that the tools and techniques explored during climbing not only helped finding increased ease, energy and balance on rock but equally in their everyday life.
This 5-day workshop therefore is an opportunity to learn and explore tools that help us flourish and progress not only in our climbing but also in life in general.
A very small group size with no more than four participants allows individual guidance , feedback and maximum learning.
The workshop is suitable for everybody who wishes to explore climbing from a different viewpoint and acquire tools and techniques to evolve in their climbing. I suggest a minium grade of 5c, however the course will equally benefit climbers who climb well into the 6th and 7th grade and who are looking for new ways to approach their climbing.
The course will take place close to the town of Millau in Averyon, in the Gorges du Tarn, Jonte and/or Dourbie. The exact choice of crag will depend on number and experience of participants as well as weather and will be communicated a few days ahead of the course.
The price is 450€ per person for the 5-day course. A discount of 15% per person if you sign up as a group of four.
In the event of bad weather the course will be moved to a nearby climbing wall in Millau.
In case the proposed dates do not suit you please feel free to contact me to inquire about the possibility for alternative dates.
I also offer other courses to overcome your fear of falling while climbing or to transition from indoor to outdoor climbing in the Tarn and Jonte gorges.
Program
Program:
Throughout the week I will guide you through the Alexander technique principles and how these can be applied on the rock:
- Becoming aware of harmful habits and tension that interfere with our movement accuracy and efficiency.
- How to create a mental space in which we can inhibit these harmful habits leading to increased freedom of choice.
- How to direct ourselves towards increased freedom, flow and presence.
- Consolidation and application of the principles and techniques with individual feedback and guidance.
The price includes
- Instruction, supervision and guidance by the climbing instructor.
- Teaching of the principles of the Alexander technique.
- Climbing equipment if needed (ropes, quick draws, harness, helmet, belay device).
The price does not include
- Return transport to the area around Millau.
- Transport to the crag.
- Accommodation.
- Meals.
- Climbing Shoes.
- Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".
Accommodation
- The village "Le Rozier" and its neighboring villages, located about 30 minutes drive from Millau are a central point to easily access the different gorges and crags.
- Here you will find a wide choice of accommodation: campsites, hôtels, gîtes and AirBnB.