Finding Balance: A Climber's Journey

Catalog description

The central purpose of the course is to help students develop a conceptual and hands-on framework that supports both physical and mental wellness. Part philosophy, part physical practice, this course uses somatic modes of attention, putting into practice lessons in readings on Zen, Yoga, mindfulness, dance, and meditation. In addition, we will use climbing as a metaphor to explore “the wilderness within”—examining topics such as the psychology of risk, fear and stress, failure and success, ethics, and the body’s lived experience of politics, trauma, and social challenges . This course is open to all students; no previous climbing experience is needed