“Rock climbing is like a meditative dance to me. It’s a sport that requires you to be present in the moment, fully aware of every muscle in your body.” This flip side of the seemingly gruelling sport made Bengaluru-based climber Gowri Varanashi fall in love with it. Varanashi tussled with the steep rocks of Badami, Karnataka, in 2018 to become the first Indian woman to execute ‘French Indian Masala’ – a daunting climbing route that very few women dared to attempt at the time.
A passionate environmentalist and avid climber (with numerous successful climbs in India, the US and Peru under her belt), Varanashi has been helping push the sport through her community-based initiative, Climb Like A Woman (CLAW). Varanashi and the CLAW core team – climbers Prerna Dangi, Mel Batson, Lekha Ratinam and Vrinda Bhageria have been working towards changing the way Indian women perceive the sport. “CLAW has never been about training people to become super strong. Our goal is to help women break the narrative they’re fed. We want to make them realise they can do these seemingly ‘impossible’ things and have fun while at it.” Varanashi’s advice to young women attending CLAW sessions is concise and effective. “I tell them to listen to their bodies and trust the process. There’s no point pushing too hard and sustaining injuries. Their goal should be to have fun climbing and develop a close relationship with their bodies.”
This story is from the May 2022 edition of Grazia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2022 edition of Grazia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The 'Science-Ification' Of Skincare
With pseudoscience slowly but steadily seeping into the core of skincare, how can one separate fact from fiction?
FASHION'S NEW ALT STARS
Is luxury fashion looking in new direction of celebrities for representation and relatability?
48 HOURS IN DUBAI
Need a fun getaway but short on time? We share the ideal 48-hour itinerary to experience the best that Dubai has to offer
HOMAGE TO OLD DELHI
How will a changing Shahjahanabad, on whose horizon lurks a revolution, change the fate of a princess?
Back Again
As Panchayat’s new season releases and Kota Factory’s next chapter is almost here, actor Jitendra Kumar delves into details about his decade-long journey, his loyal fan following, and what to expect
GET THE SCOOP
It's thandai, or your favourite mithai, but it's a creamy ice cream. Why are artisanal brands bringing more and more Indian spices, ingredients, and flavours into their menus?
LA DOLCE VITA IN A BOTTLE
As Bvlgari Parfums launches its latest fragrance that encapsulates the freshness of Italian summer in a bottle, master perfumer Jacques Cavallier shares details on his vision, focus, and on the importance of understanding fragrance
NOT SO BENIGN
A vaccine preventing cervical cancer has been around since 2008. Why are we still in the dark about it?
ANARCHY Of BEAUTY
Exploring the art of make-up and its contribution in building an alter-ego with the coolest drag stars
THREE ON THREE
Are recent on-screen representations finally opening wholesomeness of a threesome? our society up to the