Book Club: Recommended Reads by Zéro Gravité Staff
The Rock Warrior’s Way (Mental Training for Climbers) by Arno Ilgner
Edition : Éditions du Mont-Blanc, Catherine Destivelle
A recommanded read by Gabrielle Soucie :
The Rock Warrior’s Way (original title) is built on the premise that the body and mind are one and that the mind plays the most crucial role in progress. In other words, climbers seeking to improve and safely push their limits must engage in deep introspection. This helps them stay connected to the reasons driving their passion for the sport and transform their inner dialogue to better face challenges.
I really appreciated the first four chapters for their universality. What I mean by this is that, for me, even though the book often refers to situations encountered in the context of climbing, there are countless parallels we can draw with our personal lives. It talks about breaking mental habits that hinder our growth, developing agency, channeling our attention, finding joy, and building self-esteem. In short, these are all principles worth exploring to feel more aligned with the life we are living.
As for the later chapters, they mainly consist of practical exercises to be carried out while climbing (both climbing itself and, especially, falling) as well as writing exercises (written reflections). I would say that this is not a book to read in one go; it’s worth letting the ideas presented take root and gradually trying to apply the principles during climbing sessions or training. Essentially, it’s a book that encourages back-and-forth between action and reflection. Thanks to the numerous subtitles and generally short chapters, it’s easy to return to the sections that resonate most with us.
