Message to Ines: any space? Reply: yes, there is! Message back: okay, I'm in! Whether it's just women or not, I don't think about that. What concerns me more is the yoga: the only time in the past that I attended a week of yoga and climbing, I injured a tendon in my waist on the first day while doing Sun Salutations (which I couldn't do then and still can't) trying to keep up with the others. It hurt for a year. My ambition has diminished somewhat since then, but unfortunately not my focus on performance. I have aged more than two decades, and in that time – in addition to all the beautiful, good, happy moments – a lot has happened that has hurt my body and soul, internally and externally. When climbing, for me always associated with the fear of falling, I have become even more anxious. Well. Signed up is signed up, I set off for Kompanj in Istria and jump into the icy sea on the way to Trieste for my first spring swim and enjoy watching its vastness, an image that I will carry with me into yoga.

I arrive. Nobody is there yet. I leisurely look around and take in the atmosphere. The Mountain Lodge Istria is located in a small hamlet behind Roč, near the small tourist town of Buzet. First impression: every detail of the two renovated houses, one sweet and small, the other larger, has been conceived, created and carried out with love. Second impression: birds are singing, even a hoopoe can be heard, fruit trees are in bloom, a dog is barking, the rocks behind the lodge are caressed by the sun and the cold “Bora” wind. Third thought: a paradise where life moves a little slower than almost everywhere else. In the evening, only the owls can be heard, with a dog barking now and then. A place made for coming to oneself – and for meeting others and opening up to them.

The ladies arrive, even the only dog is a she. Why did the other six women – from America, Germany, Switzerland and Austria – sign up? I don't know precisely. But it's like for me: it's as if they all had to be there that week, as if we had to spend a few days together in exactly this composition. As if a small protected space had to arise, where we had to let our strong and fragile, our vulnerable and determined, our joyful and mournful female selves come to rest. And maybe that also applies to Ines, our strong as a bear, tireless climbing queen, and Jasna, our composed, gentle yoga master, and even for Karin and Derya, our kitchen souls, who spoil us with their arts - versatile, exquisite, colorful, creative, tasty, warming and strengthening food - from morning to evening. We can also get a massage from Karin, while Derya gives those who wish for it a haircut and a healing face mask. Ines, for her part, once gives us a lecture about her mountaineering, on another evening she shows us an impressive film about one of the greatest solo climbers in the world, who unfortunately died in an accident several years ago. Food for thought, in addition to the sponsors' pretty gifts.

We go climbing. Some of us are beginners, others have been climbing for years. The routes in Kompanj are old school, rated hard, technical. Ines rushes back and forth, helping and teaching. Wild asparagus grow under the rocks, destined to end up in the breakfast omelet the next day. And thanks to the yoga in the morning, we are warmed up and more agile. The next day, in Vela Draga, a protected karst canyon with bizarre towers and formations, the climbing is also demanding. Not everyone is always happy, there are even tears, often it is the high expectations that cause us to fall – on the rock or in our heads. But we support and encourage each other. For me, the crisis came the day before. Perhaps a congestion of feelings, triggered by grief, tension, confusion, pain, fears. And above all: the pressure to perform, which I often can't let go of, even though I know that it no longer helps me, but only obstructs me. I have long known the issues I can and have to work on, and climbing relentlessly exposes them once more. In yoga, my tears flow; it's no longer about Sun Salutations or other contortions, but about my balance. I think of my mother, and after class I find a heartfelt message from her on the phone. One of the ladies gives me a long and loving hug. And every detail of the lodge, the beautifully crafted wood, stone, tiles, flowers, pictures, the magnificent yoga room, into which the sun shines every evening and warms us, lifts my spirits. In the evening, we are served delicious fresh truffles from the area. I find peace again and sleep deeply and soundly.

Limski Kanal. The beautiful, quiet area high above the fjord, which runs inland from the sea, reconciles me with myself and with climbing. Or was it the day before, the hike to Vojak, the highest mountain in Istria with the best views? We talked a lot while we were walking, each of us has her bundle, each of us has a well-filled backpack, from the youngest, 26 years old, to the oldest, 58 years old, and when I hear other life stories, it annoys me that I often complain about my injuries and pains. Women among themselves – we open up quickly, we get right down to things. Each of us wanted to come here, to be here, in this week. The energy is constantly getting stronger and better. So that we laugh more and more, especially when, how could it be otherwise, the topic of relationships, that is, men (or women), comes up... We are doubled over with laughter. Relieving, releasing, letting go. There will be other days for seriousness, soon enough. And so, we end this week climbing in Kamena Vrata, having an aperitif in the pretty town of Buzet, sitting around the fireplace in front of the lodge and at the great and fun final dinner. Have we improved our climbing after this week? Some have, I haven’t, but that's not important, or rather: other things are more important. The vibrations that arose, during yoga, on the rock. The exchange. Tears and laughter, weaknesses and strengths allowed to be shown without inhibitions and pretense.

At the end of the last yoga session and before saying goodbye, it seems that everyone has wet eyes. And everyone is grateful. Thank you, Ines, and Jasna. Thank you, Karin, and Derya. Thank you Sherrod, Gina, Tanja, Steffi, Bettina and Toni.

Christine