bouldering, balaying & climbin'

My kids call HANGIN' HIGH - their other home! They go 2 - 3 times a week & continually ask (even before we leave) - "When are we coming back?" I love that they love to climb! It has built their confidence, not to mention their upper and lower body strength! Last week, I started a 10-week training with the owner of Hangin High - Kekoolani "Boni" Garrido. She is wakin' up some muscles that have been resting (okay they've been asleep) for quite some time! The feel good sore sometimes doesn't feel "so good"... but I am really enjoying "MY TIME" once again... prioritizing fitness is something I don't always do - especially with 4 kids who need me 24/7 (so it seems). Thankfully, I have a super fantastic & supportive hubby that steps in when needed!

Salsa & Tahitian Dancing, Tai Chi, bouldering, climbing, pilates, yoga, pole & chair work, isolations & various cardio exercises has me & 2 other girls sweatin' at Hangin' High! The variation is the fun part... and the fact that I can bring my little Mia with me during the morning and afternoon workouts - makes training with Boni actually do-able!

Last week my kids learned how to "balay". Balaying is working the harness and guiding the "climber" and being able to support the climber if they fall or when they reach the top - the balayer brings the climber down slowly with control. If you see the collage above... the bottom left photo has Daniella balaying someone twice, maybe 3 times her weight... and as she lowers her down... Dani is literally lifted in the air while anchored to the base - she is able to lower the climber down to safety. THEY LOVE THIS NEW CHALLENGE! And it really builds their CONFIDENCE, TRUST & overall look on life! Giving them that belief of, "Wow, I just did that - I can do anything!!!"

Below are a few video clips of the boys bouldering unharnessed. I'm so impressed because I have yet to accomplish this bouldering wall. My kids are giving me tips and encouraging me... I LOVE THAT!!! The bouldering wall has a marked path of only certain "holds" you can use to climb on... and with a slight angle to the wall - it's even MORE challenging! On the collage photos above... the top right photos show the angle of the wall they're climbing. Believe me... it's a lot harder than it appears!

If you haven't tried climbing... I encourage you to do it! Go out and get your climb on!!!! You'll love how it makes you feel!