4.2 Design & Refine
Complete the exercise, then summarise your findings in the comments box below.
Exercise 1: My Routine // Duration: 20 minutes (plus climb, if desired)
Using the template provided or in your journal, complete the exercise to explore your own pre-climbing rituals. It might help for you to go climbing to identify unconscious rituals.
Instructions: Sketch out your pre-climb activities or rituals in words, notes or drawings using the following categories as the basis of your explorations. Include inconsistencies, what works best, what you notice.
The month before
The week before
The day before
The night before
The morning
At the wall
At the crag
Exercise: The Rituals of Others // Duration: 5-10 mins
Read the article: Arcteryx – Rituals Blog Post
How do the rituals described in the article compare to your own experience? Write a response in your journal.
Benefits of a Pre-Climb Ritual
There are evidenced benefits to developing a preparation ritual. Preparations before and after taking part in physical activity have been shown to help people to:
* Reduce the real risks
* Reduce the illusory fears
* Calm the mind
* Create positive feelings
* Make conscious & informed decisions
* Focus the mind in the moment
Leave a comment about what you’ve learnt about your own rituals and how it might impact you in your climbing. When you’re finished, click next.