HONR 203 — Finding Balance: A Climber's Journey: 3 Credits (1 Lec, 2 Lab)
(F, Sp) This course sits at the confluence of the bodies somatic experience (as framed through the lens of climbing movement) and socio-political analysis, exploring how 21st century stressors like social media, hyper-partisan politics, global warming, Corona virus, and socio/economic inequity are experienced bodily and in turn how this effects our thinking. The central purpose of the course is to help students develop a conceptual and hands-on framework that supports both physical and mental wellness. Part philosophy, part physical practice, this course uses somatic modes of attention, putting into practice lessons in readings on Zen, Yoga, mindfulness, dance, and meditation. In addition, we will use climbing as a metaphor to explore “the wilderness within”—examining topics such as the psychology of risk, fear and stress, failure and success, ethics, and the body’s lived experience of politics, trauma, and social challenges . This course is open to all students; no previous climbing experience is needed
Prerequisites: HONR 201US, HONR 301US