Yoga for Climbers
Laura & Jessica
Laura Olinger - Trail Runner
How do you train for your sports? While training for a marathon or ultra marathon, I spend a lot of hours out on the trail, but love that yoga and climbing can both supplement that as strength training.
Do you participate in any other sports/active hobbies outside of trail running? I am a certified yoga teacher, and also a climber.
What are you favorite JTree products? Lately I have been relying on the arnica Recovery Lotion to soothe my sore muscles. I also love the Anxiety Free tea to help me relax and recover. These products support my recovery from long training runs or hours in the gym. The faster I can recover, the stronger I feel, and the sooner I can get back out and do what I love.
What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out trail running? Be patient. Progress isn't linear. If the activity is truly something you love, you'll enjoy the process and want to keep working at it.
What’s your best “party” trick? Busting out an arm balance. I was recently working with a group of teenage boys who were teasing me that they were stronger, but I think they took it back when I got into a solid Eight Angle Pose.
What is the coolest thing you’ve ever won? I've placed at a few trail races, which always have the best "trophies." Two of my favorites are a piece of cedar wood which smells so good, and a flashlight which I won at a nighttime race.
Jessica Malloy - Rock Climber
How do you train for rock climbing? I use my yoga practice as cross training and for injury prevention. I also do climbing specific training like the system board and the hang board. And of course, I just climb as much as possible.
Do you participate in any other sports/active hobbies outside of rock climbing? Lots of yoga, hiking, and in the summer water skiing.
What are you favorite JTree products? Of all the great products, I think the climbing salve is a staple for me. It was one of the first products I ever used as a climber, and I've been obsessed ever since. I also love the loose leaf tea. Tea is a ritual for me; it can be soothing or energizing.
What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out in rock climbing? Getting tough skin is just as important as getting strong muscles. Also, working mobility and flexibility into the end of your sessions will go a long way to developing technique on the wall (i.e. High steps and drop knees). It's worth the extra 15 minutes (minimum) of adding yoga or some other type of stretching to your routine.
What’s your best “party” trick? Any yoga arm balance. And its fun to get my friends to try them too!
