Words by Brianne Schaer       Instagram: @brianneschaer

Images by Crystal Tan              Instagram: @madambackwords

This year's Fall Bouldering League at Sender One Climbing SNA has come and gone, and this year was the biggest one yet!  The 6-week battle-royale gave teams of five a chance to compete for the title of Bouldering League Champions.

There were lock offs, dynos, and comp-style problems.  Each week offered new challenges for teams, who worked to complete as many problems as possible, while building friendships and cheering each other on.

"This is my fourth or fifth time competing," said Corey Cosby from the first-place team, The Pumpernoodles.  "It's fun; I'm friends with a lot of the people competing, and the league offers a good, healthy competitive atmosphere.  Anyone thinking about competing next season should just sign up.  You will meet so many people and make so many friends and lifelong climbing partners that it is worth it for that alone."

The Bouldering League is an inclusive, community-focused competition, and is largely scored based on individual climber growth.  Climbers of all skill levels worked together to push each other to climb their hardest every week. 

"This was the biggest Bouldering League we have ever hosted!" said Wayne Huang, Sender One Fall 2018 Bouldering League Commissioner.  "One of the most rewarding parts of the whole experience for me was convincing some climbers who were either not planning on initially doing Bouldering League, or who were on the fence to try it out, and then later hearing that they had a really great time.  To me, climbing has always had the most open and unique community of any sport, and it really shines through during Bouldering League in my opinion." 

In the spirit of keeping the competition friendly, the actual grade of each route is hidden.  This can encourage climbers to try problems that they may not even attempt otherwise. 

"It's been a good run," said Blaine Smith from team, Over the Shoulder Boulder Holder. "Our team got the chance to cheer each other on and we all really stepped up our game.  The fact that the grades are blind really made this happen.  It's easy to get that grade stuck in your head, but when you come in and just go for all the climbs you think you can do, you surprise yourself.  Most of our team members are climbing at levels higher than what they normally would have attempted."

Above everything, Bouldering League serves to strengthen the sense of community at Sender One Climbing, and to encourage everyone to try hard in the process.

"Joining the Bouldering League has pushed me to do things I'm uncertain about," said Rika Williams of team, Crimpy Jugs.  "I've enjoyed meeting new and supportive people who have helped me to improve.  It doesn't really matter what level you are.  It feels so good to feel that kind of support from people." 

As the chalk settled on the final night of Bouldering League, the top three teams were: 

First Place:  The Pumpernoodles
Team Members:  Anni Vanderpool, Britney Berkstresser, Christian Monter, Clayton Boyd, Corey Cosby

Second Place: I Like Big Jugs and I Cannot Climb
Team Members: Bao Phan, Emily Nguyen, Jasmine CHoi, Paul Huynh, Rikka Cornelia

Third Place: Beta Bots
Team Members: Astrid Dawson, Christine Kim, Diana Keyes, Garrett Keyes, Greg Keyes

This season was also full of many hilarious and clever team names.  The War on Jugs was awarded the best team name.  A few hilarious honorable mentions were: Crimpanzees, Chalkoholics, and Crimp Scampi.

Another team name that holds a lot of significance was, Panda Express.  The name serves as a memory of a team member who suddenly passed away from an unrelated medical issue.  This team member's nickname was Panda Express, and his climbing buddies decided to name their Bouldering League team after him. 

"I'd like to, both personally and on behalf of Sender One, thank every single participant this year," said Huang.  "We wouldn't be here without the community we are lucky enough to host, and each year only serves to further reinforce that to me.  Climbing, specificially in our community, is such a unique space in that it is friendly, open, and welcoming, but also that it sees so many people of all ages and from all walk of life intermingling.  I firmly believe that fostering and supporting meaningful interactions between different people is not only the key to having a healthy community, but also to teaching each person's individual growth."

What's Next?

The next Bouldering League will be held in Spring 2019 at Sender One LAX! There are two leagues per year: one in the Fall at Sender One SNA, and one in the Spring at Sender One LAX.  More information will be released as the time nears, so keep up the stoke and stay tuned!

Words by Lauren Irvine; updated by Ali Gingrey

Happy day after Thanksgiving! When we prepare for the annual feast of gratitude through indulgence, we often don’t think about what happens after the big meal--except for maybe football and a second slice of pie. Or perhaps some more of those mashed potatoes, and stuffing, and cranberry sauce...

Which is why we turned to Sender One’s team of yogis for the best poses to squeeze in when your pants are feeling a bit tight (and before the tryptophan coma kicks in). As a bonus that’s not gastrointestinally inclined, 10 to 15 minutes of these quick stretches will also give you a moment to breathe and relax in the midst of the weekend's joyful chaos. So after you indulge your taste buds, indulge your spirit with these rejuvenating moves.

Wind-Relieving Pose

Aptly named, this Bikram pose stimulates the ascending, descending, and transverse colon, which aids digestion while relieving and preventing uncomfortable gas. Stretch it out in half or full pose, and your family members will thank you.

• Lie on your back. Bend one or both knees into your chest.
• Hug your knee(s) in tight and gently rock your knees from side to side as you breathe.
• Release the knees and slowly lower your legs to the floor. Rest a few seconds, then repeat two to more times.

Seated Heart Opener

Too much stuffing got you feeling stuffed? A backward-bending asana will stretch out your stomach and ease the discomfort.

• Sit on your heels. Slowly lean back and placing your palms six to eight inches behind you, fingertips pointing away.
• Press your hands into the ground, lift your chest, and arch your back. Tip your head back to increase the stretch.
• Hold for five breaths, and then sit up.

Twisting Triangle

Digest and detox! With this pose you alternate between compressing and releasing the colon. As you do this, it stimulates the body to release waste and toxins.

• Stand at the top of your mat with your feet hip-width apart. Raise your arms out to the sides, palms facing down.
• Turn your left foot in 45-60° to the right and your right foot out 90°. Align the right heel with the left heel. Center your right knee over your right ankle.
• Turn your torso to the right, keeping your hips as square as possible, and lean forward over the front leg. Reach your left hand down--either inside or outside the foot--to the floor or to a yoga block (rest it against your inner right foot). Raise right hand up. Look forward (neutral) or up at your hand (more advanced).
• Hold pose for 30-60 seconds, exhale, and release the twist to return to a standing position. Repeat for the other side.

Bow Pose

Stretch out your stomach muscles with this stimulating asana that will get blood flowing through your entire body.

• Start in Downward Facing Dog. From there, lower your knees to the mat until you’re on your stomach.
• Bend your knees up, then reach back with your arms and grasp the outside edge of each ankle, one at a time. (Use a strap if you can’t reach your feet.) Point or flex your feet.
• Lift your feet up as you shift your weight forward so you're resting on your navel.
• Hold for three to five deep breaths, then slowly release.

Spinal Twist

This simple pose calms an upset stomach through a gentle side-to-side massage.

• Lie down on the floor and hug your knees to your chest.
• Drop your knees to the left, using your left hand to push them down gently.
• Turn your head and stretch your arm out to the right.
• Hold for five to ten breaths, then return your hands and knees to center. Repeat on the other side.

Enjoy your yoga and your weekend! And, while you do your Black Friday shopping this weekend, don't forget to check out Sender One's deals happening through Sunday! Check out the Santa Ana deals here, and LAX deals here!