Edmond climber leaps into yoga plan

EDMOND — Freddy Harth has opened a business where he doesn’t mind having a lot of people hanging around.

Harth has taken his passion for climbing to show others the thrill of hanging from a rocky cliff. After owning a successful climbing center for more than a decade, Harth sold his business to open Holdistic Climbing and Yoga at 14709 Bristol Park Drive in Edmond.

Harth offers simulated rock walls and bouldering, a sharp-angled wall that doesn’t require a rope, for those needing more of a challenge.

"Bouldering is really extreme,” Harth said. "It will satisfy the more advanced climbers.”

Harth said Holdistic’s rock climb is designed after Quartz Mountain in southwestern Oklahoma. There is also slab climbing and a stunt pit filled with foam.

Weekday rates range from $10 for a day pass for climbing, to bouldering and pit use for $15. Group discounts and memberships also are available.

While Harth focuses on climbing, instructor Sky Checotah will run the yoga side of the business.

In July, Checotah will offer hot hatha yoga classes. Hot hatha yoga is practiced in a heated environment to warm muscles, soothe joints and to detoxify through sweating.

Harth, who started climbing in rocky places in the western United States in 1992, said climbing may not be for everyone, but it does appeal to those who do not play team sports.

"Kids comes in and are soon taken with climbing and become a different person after a while,” Harth said. "It’s not only challenging, but it’s a sub-sport where we encourage each other.”