Unconventional Athletes Issue 3
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SEEKINg THE THRIll!<br />
Step 1 is just getting back in a tree. I find this to be very rewarding for<br />
my students. This thrill alone provides a new-found exuberance and<br />
exhilaration. Just as when you were a kid, you don’t have to go all the<br />
way to the top. In fact, I recommend a lower tree with nice sturdy<br />
branches that allow for multiple foot placements and hand holds. You<br />
want to feel somewhat secure as you get reacquainted with your inner<br />
child. Meanwhile there are some pretty cool physical benefits you are<br />
reaping.<br />
REBOOT YOUR DORMENT AgRAIAN CAPABIlITY!<br />
First, and perhaps my favourite; grabbing. We don’t grab things much<br />
in the modern world. Think about it, the remote, a glass of water, some<br />
laundry maybe. This is a far cry from even 150 years ago when much of<br />
the world was still agrarian. Then you grabbed many objects throughout<br />
the day, tools, crops, animals, rocks you name it. So I really like that when<br />
you begin to explore and move about a tree you are constantly grabbing.<br />
This is a fantastic way to regain the lost mechanism of humans.<br />
First, and perhaps my<br />
Favourite; grabbing. we<br />
don’t grab things much in<br />
the modern world. think<br />
about it, the remote, a<br />
glass oF water, some<br />
laundry maybe.<br />
MAKE FEAR YOUR FRIEND<br />
Second, and this begins to happen as you move more comfortably up,<br />
down and around the tree: awareness. I love preaching the good news<br />
of awareness. There is a certain level of fear that comes with climbing<br />
anything (I am speaking in general, not to the elite or professional). This<br />
is a good thing. Fear is that little voice saying, “Easy now, make sure your<br />
foot is set. Whoa there, that branch looks dead, don’t pull on it.” It is self<br />
preservation keeping you from making a critical mistake. I like that we<br />
have to PAY ATTENTION, when doing something physical. It creates a sense<br />
of awareness. My hope is that through this type of practice we retain this<br />
skill in our day to day rather than mindlessly going through life unaware<br />
of our surroundings and situations. Awareness is a big teaching point of<br />
mine and I believe that climbing trees helps establish this life skill.<br />
<strong>Issue</strong> 03 - Volume 1 Page 34
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