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Climb Catalunya in Ecodharma
For the last few years we have been running Climbing and yoga events in Catalunya (Catalonia in Catalan) with Climb Catalunya. These events are now situated in the delightful valley abode of Ecodharma, up from the village of Abella de la Conca (Bee Valley) to the North West of Barcelona. I lead a Yoga session in the morning, more dynamic to wake up the body and mind and in the evening I lead a "wind down" session using Yin yoga and long hold stretches to help soften and open the body after a hard day of climbing. 
The day is spent out on the rocks near to the valley and further afield. Catalonia has a reputation for some of the best rock climbing in Europe and within an hour of Ecodharma there is climbing for all levels and interests.
The Climb Catalunya team know this area like the back of their collective hand now, and are able to offer good recommendations as to which locations are likely to offer the mix of grades and climbing any given group is after. They also know a large number of crags which don’t feature in local guidebooks meaning that it’s still possible to avoid the crowds despite the growing popularity of the area with climbers from Spain and abroad. To be honest, even some of the better known crags are sufficiently difficult to find and reach that having a host with local knowledge and an off-road vehicle is valuable in its own right.
Ecodharma
Ecodharma is a project offering courses, events and retreats which support the development of an ecological consciousness drawing on the Buddhist Dharma and the emerging ecological paradigms of our time. Some of the climb leaders and guides are members of this community, as is the excellent chef!
Accomodation is in the Ecodharma centre farmhouse and mongolian tents called yurts. We will be doing yoga out in the forest on a covered wooden platform or in the house if the group is small.
The yoga
The morning and evening yoga sessions provide an excellent counterpoint to climbing during the day. Over the last few courses we have developed an approach to the yoga practice that suits climbers very well. The morning class of 90 minutes, starts at 8 am ensuring that all the joints are comprehensively warmed up and supple. It involves gently and deeply warming up the body starting in the supine position (lying on the back!) with some careful hip, leg and spine stretches. We also introduce you to the gently art of Chi kung (Zhan Zhuang- "Standing-like-a tree"). We then do a "flow" vinyasa-inspired practice to warm the body and "get the energy moving", up on the feet. The standing postures are chosen work well to tone and strengthen the legs and open the pelvis preparing the body for the day. We emphasize opening and releasing the upper body, shoulders and arms.
After some floor and sitting work the session ends with a light shoulder balance, again to open the upper back and shoulders and a guided relaxation practice of some 10 or 15 minutes before breakfast at around 9.30.
On return from the walls, we offer a shorter more laid back session to stretch out and lengthen out the body after a hard day climbing. Around 7.30 or 8 pm we do a hour session of yoga focusing mainly on supine and floor work with some long hold Yin yoga poses, as well as stretching with belts and supports, to ease the body into a more relaxed open state which sets you up well to eat supper rest to go for it the next day. The evening practice helps out iron out any cumulative strains over the course of the week. You will certainly feel the benefit, and avoid any of the annoying tweaks and niggles that a week of climbing daily often provokes.
On offer too is a led meditation session after supper before retiring for those interested.
The climbing
Catalunya offers a fantastic range of sport climbing for all abilities, situated in some stunning locations. From our base in a secluded valley in the Montsec region we were within an hour and a half’s drive of a wide range of crags offering everything from approachable slab climbing on excellent quality limestone in the gorge at Vilanova de Meia, to steep, challenging climbs in the harder grades at crags like Perles and Ager. Those with a taste for bigger walls are equally well served with a selection of multi-pitch climbs to choose from, including the epic long routes of the Terradets gorge. Even better, there’s an ever-expanding choice of climbs within walking distance in the valley itself.
On some of the trips out we can visit near by lakes and rivers to take a refreshing dip. At the end of the valley there is a gorge with river and pools for bathing. Reputedly these secret places are frequented by nymphs too! Though I am yet to see one.
