Mental Health in Climbing: Keep Climbing

by Kat Ku | May 24, 2023 | Announcements

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Written by Hailey McFelia, Edited by Katherine Ku

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month we, here at Sender One wanted to start a conversation about mental health in climbing. We all know working out is great for our overall moods and brain chemicals, but there seems to be something different about climbing. Let’s dive in to see what makes this sport so special.

Recent research studies have shown evidence that climbing can improve overall mood and even alleviate depression. A 2021 paper written by Schwarzkopf, Dorscht, Kraus,and Luttenberger suggests that “bouldering-Psychotherapy (BPT) has proven to effectively reduce depressive symptoms,” which is further supported by research showing that climbing nourishes an increased sense of one’s capability.

Bouldering Psychotherapy combines physical activity with psychotherapeutic content and stems from the idea that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help with depression. Think of cognitive behavioral therapy as positive brain rewiring –now add that with the gains of a physical sport that also works on problem solving. It makes sense that you would see positive results and the ability to reflect on those results.

“Research suggests that climbing is therapeutic. Multiple studies indicate that it can help reduce symptoms of depression, perhaps because it demands focused attention and mindfulness. Some practitioners even use climbing therapy in conjunction with traditional psychotherapy.”

More of this article here

Angela Haupt, Time Magazine

Community is another piece to this amazing activity that can make your brain happy. People do a lot of crazy things to be part of a community – climbers aren’t that crazy though. We just climb till our hands bleed, put our lives in other people’s hands (shout out to our belay partners!), and cheer for a stranger when the try hard is on. We put ourselves out there to help each other reach the top of our projects. Connection with others happens so naturally with rock climbing.

Climbers: Zsana Ramsey, Yuri Ohyabu, Bell Sarian Wong | Photographer: Alex DelVecchio

Personally, it’s what led me to meet so many climbers who have become my emotional support humans. One of them is my “partner in climb,” Raee Lorton. She and I both have our struggles with mental health and she was kind enough to open up and share her story.

“I started climbing in San Francisco when I was going through a hard time in my life. Climbing routes were something I could control. Something I could breathe through. Something I could do on my own without being entirely alone in a gym. When I moved back to LA climbing continued to save me. It gave me discipline and a love for something to get my body moving. Going through a diagnosis for your mental health and starting medicines is incredibly hard. You go through a lot of stress on your body and your mental health expands and collapses in on itself but climbing was something that allowed me to stop and focus on something other than what was going on in my life. I could see myself in a gentle light and see what I was capable of.”

-- Raee Lorton

Raee at Stoney Point | Photographer: Jovanna Reyes

The ability to be able to focus on a climb or problem, is a beautiful way to shift your focus. Head game and brain rewiring is an essential part of climbing. When it comes down to it many climbers have to overcome the fear of falling. That alone is a big part of the reflection that comes with rock climbing. We also tell ourselves positive mantras to help us push past our limits and in a way rewire our minds. For example, professional climber and slab lover Anna Hazelnutt tends to chant “I am sticky, I am sticky” (check out her Youtube channel here!) It’s the powerful insight we gain from turning in and reflecting in a positive light.

So why is climbing such an aid for mental health? Maybe it’s the satisfaction of solving a puzzle with your body? Perhaps it’s the personal growth that comes with climbing? For you it might be being part of a group of humans who are probably in the same boat as you? We all have those heavy days. Let’s do what we can to keep climbing, we want you to stick around, and we want to see you send!

If you are looking to become more involved with the rock climbing community consider joining us at one of our meetups or check out our affiliate groups.

Acknowledging the Land That We Are On

by Kat Ku | May 18, 2023 | Announcements

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Written by Kadisha Aburub

If you’ve ever been to an affinity space meetup or event you’ll often hear a Land Acknowledgement at the start of a meetup. A Land Acknowledgment is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous People as traditional stewards of this land. Land Acknowledgements allow for an expression and appreciation of Indigenous people who have been living here since time immemorial.

A core value in affinity spaces is understanding the history of the land we reside on. By acknowledging its history, we recognize the impact history has had on marginalized groups and begin dialogue on ways to narrow that gap within our community spaces.

So then how do we go about delivering a Land Acknowledgement?

Identify tribes
Practice pronouncing the pronunciation of tribes
Acknowledge the tribes in the area you are in
Acknowledge that tribes and its people are ever-present today

Photo credit: Friends of Ballona Wetlands

Here is an example of a Land Acknowledgement of the Garieleño/Kizh and Acjachemen land or what is now known today as the city of Santa Ana, California:

“We open our meetup/event by acknowledging that the land where we climb today is the territory of the Gabrieleño/Kizh, and Acjachemen (Juaneno) tribes. In our daily lives, let us remember that the Santa Ana area is home to the Gabrieleño/Kizh, and Acjachemen (Juaneno) people and to many tribes that camped, hunted, and traded here for centuries. Native people of many Indigenous nations live here today.”

“Kizh” (pronounced KEECH), the name of the tribe that resided on this land, comes from the dome-like dwellings they lived on. The people of Kizh developed ingenious ways of living off the land, were master boat-builders, and traveled along the coast of Southern California.

Check out Sender One's Land Acknowledgment on our Community Programs page. If you perhaps don’t live in the Santa Ana area and are interested in learning about the tribes and Indigenous people that resided on the land you’re currently on, native-land.ca is a great starting point.

Indigeneous territories of Southern California (Photo courtesy of Native Land Digital)

To note the website is imperfect and is meant as a starting point of your journey in educating yourself on the land you occupy.

While these acknowledgements can be powerful they can also be easily taken as a token gesture. Going beyond a land acknowledgement is where the work lies. We all have a responsibility to consider what it means to acknowledge the repercussions of colonialism.

Some action questions to consider:

What are some of the privileges you enjoy because of colonialism?
How can you develop relationships with Indigenous tribes/people in your area?
How can you support/listen/uplift Indigenous tribes/people in your community?
Do you have an understanding of the on-going violence and trauma that affects Indigenous people?

While we cannot undo the past, we can create better relationships through understanding, active participation with Indigenous communities, and having a listening ear.

Interested in learning more? Here are further resources to explore:

Native Land Community Blog
Kizh Nation
Gabrieleño -Kizh Tribal Territory
Decolonizing Trauma Work by Renee Linklater

Decolonizing Trauma Work by Renee Linklater

What to Wear to Your Sender City Session

by Crystal Tan | Mar 15, 2023 | Announcements

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Did Sender City pop up on your Tik Tok and now it’s all you can think about? Or, did you pass by Sender City at the gym and see the enormous slide that brings joy and fear to all climbers that come across it?

However you got here, welcome! Sender City is a fun, interactive, climbing space that all individuals can enjoy. Before you book your session, you may be wondering what you’ll want to wear, bring, and what to expect from your session. Here is what the Sender City professionals recommend!

The Basics

Comfortable athletic clothing is the best for moving up the walls in Sender City. Pants or leggings are a good option to keep you cozy in the harness.
Closed-toe shoes are needed for Sender City, we have back-up rental shoes at the gym but highly recommend wearing your own sneakers.
Remember the slide? You’ll want to wear or bring some socks to give it a try!
Jewelry can stay at home, we don’t want it to get caught on anything. We have places to leave your belongings if you want it close by.
We recommend having longer hair to be tied up in a low hairstyle.

Climbing Gear:

Sender City climbers are required to wear a helmet and harness during the session. Don’t have climbing gear? No fret, we will provide you with all the gear you need to climb like spiderman.
If you have a helmet at home and would like to bring it, feel free! We have special harnesses for Sender City so don’t worry about bringing your own.
Although Sender City is a climbing area, you won’t need your climbing shoes or chalk for this type of climbing. Closed-toe shoes are sufficient!

How do I put gear on!?

Staff will be assisting everyone with getting harnesses and helmets properly fit before the session. If there are any worries about the sizing, fit, or comfort of the gear we have, give us a call!

Book today!

Now that you are a Sender City professional, you are ready to book a session. Book online (Sender City LAX, Sender City SNA) or give our front desk a call to assist you with scheduling a session.

Indigenous People’s Month

by Kadisha Aburub | Nov 16, 2022 | Announcements, Blog

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Written by Kadisha Aburub

Picture this: you and your friends plan a bouldering trip to Joshua Tree and are eager to explore all the areas you have yet to visit. It is easy to forget that public lands were created through dispossession of millions of Indigenous people. As a reminder, we are on stolen land.

Joshua Tree National Park is an otherworldly desert destination that climbers, hikers, and sight-seers come to set eyes on its beautiful boulders, landscape, and "spiky" trees. Since time immemorial, the Oasis of Mara (known as present-day Joshua Tree National Park) sustained Native American tribes including Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, Serrano people, as well as the ancient Pinto culture.

As Indigenous People's month is celebrated throughout the states we thought we'd take the time to realign our connection to the land from one of dominance to one of reciprocity. When we hike, climb, or backpack let us be intentional in how we do so.

Steps to take before/during your climbing trip:

While you're on your climbing/hiking trip there are ways you can ensure you are being mindful of Indigenous culture, practices, and land. (This is by no means a comprehensive list and doing specific research on your local crags/areas is highly recommended before recreating outdoors.)

1. Is the area/crag sacred to Indigenous communities? If so, reach out to Indigenous leaders and/or conservation professionals who are aware of whether or not sharing specific geographic areas will negatively impact the area.
👉WHY? Many of these areas do not have proper protection in place to handle a large amount of visitors.

2. Honor spaces that are specifically closed for Indigenous purposes. If you peruse through your Joshua Tree Bouldering Book or Black Mountain Bouldering book you'll find that there are crag areas that are completely closed to climbing/hiking. Respect these closures.

3. Understand that cultural sites/formations/structures are still used in traditional ceremonial practices today. Avoid touching or damaging rock art.

4. Stay on marked trails.

5. First Ascents and exploration are NOT more important than cultural resources.

6. Understand that Indigenous communities exist in the present-day in various outdoor/urban areas.

8. Take time to understand Indigenous communities that are currently and have previously resided in that area.

Source: @indigenousfieldguide. You can sign their pledge here.

**How to support Indigenous communities this month and every month**:

1. Do your research before going outdoors: an awesome all-around resource is the organization @indigenousfieldguide they provide public education on accessing the outdoors through an Indigenous lens.

2. Connect with a land advisor: connect with Indigenous guides and advisors to help you navigate how to ethically recreate outdoors.

3. Support Indigenous Brands/organizations: @nativesoutdoors, @indigenouswomxnart, @indigenousfieldguide @queernature @indigenouswomenhike @wildernesssociety

4. Educate yourself. Here are some starting points: Which Indigenous lands are you on?, Books written by Indigenous authors, Native American Art in Joshua Tree, Organization that is dedicated to conserving land in Twenty-Nine Palms,

'As Long As Grass Grows' by Dina Gilo-Whitaker

Join us for Monday Night Meetup Nov 21st:

To show our support we will be hosting a raffle at Monday Night Meetup on November 21st in support of Native Women's Wilderness Fundraiser. For every dollar donated by Sender One members, they'll be entered to win an Edelrid Boa Eco 9.8mm 60m rope! You can participate at any of the Sender One locations.

Where to find more information about the organization: https://www.nativewomenswilderness.org/

Where to donate to Native Women's Wilderness: https://www.betterunite.com/nativewomenswilderness-everest

Take home:

When we advocate for public lands let us also advocate for the Native people who still feel the impact of 1492. People and land are inherently valuable and non-exploitable. When we evaluate our impact on the land and Indigenous communities we acknowledge that earth is not a commodity but a partner to us that we need to respect and give as much as we take.

Sender One Westwood Update

by Kat Ku | Sep 22, 2022 | Announcements, Blog

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An update on the Sender One Westwood bouldering gym

We’re excited to announce that after 2 years of delays from COVID and city permitting, construction on our Westwood bouldering gym is finally underway. Just as UCLA students are returning to campus this fall, we’re making progress on turning the Mann Festival Theatre, which closed back in 2009, into a beautiful climbing gym.

Sender One Westwood will feature 10,000 square feet of climbing, yoga, and fitness. This space will even include an upstairs mezzanine dedicated to climbing-specific training, including equipment like adjustable training boards.

Progress in building up this gym is especially meaningful, as our CEO and co-founder Alice Kao (UCLA ‘01) fondly remembers watching movies at the Mann Festival Theatre during her time as a student. With these nostalgic memories, her excitement for the new gym opening is mixed with some sadness in seeing the historic theatre go.

We are so proud and feel fortunate to have the opportunity to be part of the growth of Westwood Village while building up the future of rock climbing as a community and as a sport. Follow along for more updates via our website and social media platforms. For more information and Sender One Westwood, visit this article from the UCLA newsroom and this blog post!

Mini update on new Sender One locations…

In other news, Sender One Lakewood is about to go into permitting! We hope to start raising the roof early next year with an expected opening in late 2023. In the meantime, Sender One Huntington Beach is still slated to open in 2024. Thank you for being a part of our community and growing with us!

Facilities Upgrades at SNA (Santa Ana)!

by Soph Fuchs | Apr 29, 2022 | Announcements, Blog

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So it begins! The renovation project we have all been waiting for has arrived. We’re adding laundry & towel service to our main gym in Santa Ana, as well as two gender neutral and family restrooms (with a shower in one of them)!

These upgrades mean better service from start to finish. Laundry facilities ensure we can leave as clean as we came in (no more damp towels in your backpack). Gender neutral and family restrooms ensure all climbers feel welcome and safe to come off a hard climb sparkling clean.

Whether you’re climbing on your lunch, with your kids, or seeking a gym that’s as inclusive as its routes are rad, these upgrades will mean a better visit for you.

This long awaited project begins on May 2nd and will last until end of July. Yes, there will be some hurdles to overcome, but when all is said and done, everyone will have something new to appreciate!

During construction, our main gym restrooms will be closed. To ensure everyone is able to climb comfortably, we’re providing additional service and restocking at the restrooms and showers of the Yoga & Fitness studio next door, which will remain open. Additionally, on-site mobile restrooms will be available. The nice ones, don't worry 😉!

Check out the timeline of the project and learn more below.

May 2nd

🚽 Main Gym bathrooms will close on both sides. Portable toilets arrive for Sender City and parties!

🎉 Hallway to Party Room will close

🧘 Yoga & Fitness Annex bathrooms will remain available

May 4th

⚒️ Demolition begins and the project gets underway!

🗓 No construction will occur on weekends

🚪 Parties will enter through Sender City side door to party room (instead of down the hallway)

May 27th

🎊 Estimated opening of the two gender neutral / family bathrooms on Sender City side!

June 6th

⚒️ Estimated date we'll begin the mezzanine stair demolition

🧑‍🏫 Intro classes will be held on the "shorty wall," directly across from the current intro class area

🧗 The "Top Out" boulder will not be able to be topped out during this time. Setters will modify it to allow down climbing from this section during construction
 
There is a possibility we will get started on the mezzanine sooner, and we'll (happily) notify everyone should that occur!

July 27th

🥳 Estimated completion date for mezzanine stairs and reopening of all facilities.

Bathroom Upgrades

Our bathroom upgrades provide facilities for all sorts of people. Folks visiting with little ones will have a dedicated space separate from the main facilities. Those not served by the facilities up front will also find a safe space for their needs, without having to sacrifice the joy of a hot shower after a long session! If you're looking for where to go before these facilities open, this little map should help you out!

Upgrading the Mezzanine

Our new mezzanine will add more than a new set of stairs. With the new layout, we will have more space to host our intro classes, making first-time climbers feel more comfortable and welcome. Frequent members will appreciate the added space's improvements to the flow of foot traffic too - especially in those busy hours! Also, it will look nice!

Laundry Area & Towel Service

Anyone who's ever worked out knows how beautiful a clean towel really is. Bringing in towel service to Santa Ana is one of the top requests from members, and we are overjoyed to see its premiere on the horizon.

Why now?

As some may know, these upgrades were originally slated for January. However, as you’ve probably experienced outside the gym, supply chain issues have interrupted plans in every aspect of life this year. When we found out we were able to jump on the opportunity to get the upgrades rolling, we knew not to miss the window. Our members deserve these upgrades, and the sooner the better!

It's a lot of work, but these changes will help us better meet the needs of our community and ensure Sender One SNA remains the best place to climb in Orange County. When you visit the gym, you'll notice plentiful signs to help you navigate and staff will be on hand to help.

Once it's all done we'll all wipe the sweat off our brows, toss the towels in the new laundry machines, and look back on this as an amazing investment in our gym's future.

Thank you all for coming along with us as we project these upgrades together!

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Mental Health in Climbing: Keep Climbing

Acknowledging the Land That We Are On