As someone who teaches meditation and mindfulness, I’ve always known the power of staying present and centered, no matter what life throws your way.
Over the years, mindfulness has been my go-to tool for navigating life’s ups and downs, from the daily grind to the more serious challenges like family illnesses.
But recently, I found myself relying on these practices in a way I never expected. Read on to find out how mindfulness helped me stay calm and focused during a climbing accident in the Swiss Alps.
A Day in the Swiss Alps
It was one of those days that make you fall in love with the outdoors all over again.
My husband and I were in Switzerland, tackling a beautiful 180-meter route that offered stunning views of the north face of the Eiger in the distance. The sun was shining, the rock was perfect, and a butterfly even decided to accompany me on the way up, as if the universe itself was giving me a thumbs-up.
But things took a turn during our descent, which involved multiple abseils.
An Unexpected Blow
The first abseil went smoothly, but as we pulled the rope for the second one, it whipped back and struck me directly in the eye.
The pain was instant and searing, and I immediately felt my body going into shock.
My vision in my left eye became totally blurred, and panic began to set in.
But just as quickly as the fear started to take hold, my mindfulness practice kicked in.
Years of teaching and practicing mindfulness meant that I knew exactly what to do in that moment: breathe, observe, and stay present.
Mindfulness in Action
Mindfulness isn’t about pretending everything is okay or forcing yourself to feel calm. It’s about acknowledging what’s happening—whether it’s physical pain, emotional turmoil, or, in this case, both—without letting it consume you.
As the shock threatened to overwhelm me, I focused on my breath, bringing myself back to the present moment again and again. I felt the pain, the fear, the uncertainty, but I didn’t let them take over.
With my husband’s support, we completed two more abseils and then started the walk out of the valley. Mindfulness played a big role in keeping me grounded during this time.
I focused on the sensation of the ground under my feet, the rhythm of my breath, and having my husband by my side. Eventually, we made it to the nearest hospital in Interlaken.
A Journey of Healing
The next few hours were a blur of hospital visits and medical assessments. My injury was more serious than I had hoped. The rope had caused a contusion behind my eye, and the muscle that controls pupil dilation in my left eye had ruptured, leaving me with blurred vision.
To make matters worse, I had to keep the pressure behind my eye under control, which meant no more downward-facing dog or other inverted yoga poses for a while—a tough pill to swallow for a yoga teacher!
After multiple hospital visits in Switzerland, I’m now back in the UK, where I’m receiving ongoing treatment from some amazing doctors. They’re working on creating a special contact lens that will help correct my vision, and I’m hopeful that with time, I’ll be back to my old self—on and off the mat.
The Power of Mindfulness
This experience has reinforced for me just how powerful mindfulness can be, not just in everyday life, but in truly unexpected and challenging situations.
It didn’t take away the pain or make everything magically okay, but it did help me stay present, calm, and in control when it mattered most. And for that, I’m incredibly grateful.
If you’re curious about how mindfulness and meditation can help you navigate life’s challenges—whether they’re as dramatic as a climbing accident or as everyday as managing stress—I’d love to help.
Get in touch to arrange a mindfulness and meditation session, whether for yourself or your team. It’s a practice that’s helped me in more ways than I can count, and I’m passionate about sharing it with others.
No matter what life throws at you, remember that there’s power in the present moment. And sometimes, that’s all you need.
Until next time, wishing you Less Stress & More Yoga ✨
Paula 😃🙏
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