Conquering Everest! Key Habits Lifting Me Toward The Summit
In May 2023, I fulfilled a dream trip years in the making: trekking to Everest Base Camp (EBC). As both a yoga instructor and a high-altitude trekker, I knew this adventure would test not only my physical endurance but also my mental resilience. However, I didn’t fully realize just how integral my yoga practice would be in helping me navigate the challenges of the Himalayas. Yoga became my anchor throughout the trek, guiding me through each step of the journey.
Preparing for the Climb
Trekking at high altitudes requires a delicate balance of strength, flexibility, and stamina. As I geared up for the EBC trek, yoga became a crucial part of my preparation.
Daily asanas like Virabhadrasana (Warrior Pose), Utkatasana (Chair Pose), and Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog) helped me build the leg and core strength needed for those long days of uphill climbing. Holding these poses not only increased my stamina but also prepared my body for the steep ascents that lay ahead.
The rocky, uneven terrain of the Himalayas called for flexibility and balance. Poses like Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) and Uttanasana (Forward Fold) helped me move more fluidly through challenging landscapes and recover faster from any muscle stiffness after a long day of hiking.
Acclimatizing to Low Oxygen
One of the biggest challenges of trekking at high altitudes is the thinning air. The lower oxygen levels can make even the simplest tasks feel exhausting. This is where pranayama (breath control) and yogic breathing techniques were a game-changer!
I relied heavily on practices like Anulom Vilom (Alternate Nostril Breathing) and Kapalbhati (Skull-Shining Breath) to regulate my breathing. These techniques helped me acclimatize to the high altitude and maintain my energy levels as we climbed higher and higher. Every breath felt like a conscious effort, and yoga equipped me with the tools to make each one count.
The Mental Challenge
Let’s understand, the Everest Base Camp trek isn’t just a physical challenge; it is also a significant mental test. The unpredictable weather, long days of trekking, and the sheer scale of the mountains can feel overwhelming. This is where the mental clarity and resilience I developed through yoga became my greatest asset.
Yoga’s practice of mindfulness helped me stay grounded and present, especially when the journey ahead seemed daunting. Instead of worrying about how far we still had to go, I focused on each step, each breath, and the beauty that surrounded me. This mindset shift made the trek feel more manageable and allowed me to fully appreciate the awe-inspiring scenery of the Himalayas.
When exhaustion or doubt started to creep in, my meditation practice became a lifeline. A quick five-minute mindfulness session in the morning or a more extended meditation before bed helped reset my focus, calm my mind, and keep my spirits high. It reminded me of why I had embarked on this journey and helped me push through the tough moments.
The Trek
As we climbed higher, my body and mind were tested in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Altitude sickness, muscle fatigue, and freezing winds were a constant part of the trek. But yoga had taught me an invaluable lesson: how to sit with discomfort without resisting it. Instead of seeing the challenges as obstacles, I began to accept them as part of the experience, trusting that my body could adapt.
Even on the trek itself, yoga remained a constant companion. I found time to stretch in the mornings before we set off and did gentle asanas in the evenings to help my body recover. Practicing pranayama in the thin mountain air not only aided in acclimatization but also helped me stay centered and calm.
Whenever I felt overwhelmed by the enormity of the journey, I paused to meditate, surrounded by the serene beauty of the Himalayas. These moments of stillness became my reminder that, just like in yoga, the journey was about being present in each moment, not just reaching the destination.
Reaching Everest Base Camp was an incredible achievement, but the journey wasn’t just about the physical climb. It was also a profound inner journey—a test of my mental strength, patience, and resilience. Yoga didn’t just prepare my body for the physical demands of the trek; it gave me the tools to stay grounded and present, even in the face of uncertainty and challenge.
If you’re considering a trek like EBC (or anything a little ‘less epic’ to boost your vitality and well-being), I highly recommend incorporating InsideOut’s Yoga Classes into your training. The combination of physical preparation, breath control, and mental clarity will make the journey not only more manageable but deeply transformative.
The Himalayas are a place of immense beauty and power, and yoga helped me connect with that energy in ways I never anticipated. As I stood at Everest Base Camp, gazing up at the world’s tallest peak, I realized that this journey had been as much about self-discovery as it had been about reaching the summit.
Namaste!
By S. Mehta