If you’re a Mountains Person, learning what you resonate with can be a game changer for your quality of life.

Or maybe someone in your close circle is a Mountains Person and you want to understand them better — these tips will help you recognize when a Mountains Person is comfortable and vibing in their space.

This is great for parents to consider if they have a Mountains Kid, as Human Design was initiated so we are better able to support our children.

These suggestions are playful and light; designed to get you experimenting with the space around you in an approachable manner.

If something doesn’t land with you, leave it, and take the rest. Remember these suggestions are not hard and fast rules, but a spacious way to get in touch with yourself.

Solo Time

For Mountains People, disconnecting from the community around them is what not only brings clarity, but helps them process by viewing things correctly. When a Mountain Person is too “in it” with their community or people, they lose their perspective. It’s important for Mountains People to find ways to disconnect and prioritize distancing themselves from their communities. Ironically, this will help make them feel closer to their communities as they will have had the space to consider them more intimately. They’re not here to get all caught up in things — but take the high road. These people see things differently than most people because they have a different vantage point.

Singing & Breathwork (and yoga)

Oxygen in-take is significant for Mountains People. By living in a higher elevation, the air quality shifts and may be better for them. Singing helps strengthen diaphragmatic breathing and develops control of the breath. This can be very restorative for Mountains People, and many of them are drawn to singing in some way. Singing in the car can be deeply restorative for Mountains People as being in the car can often be a get away. Singing through that helps clear out the Mountain Person so their perspective is restored. Breathwork is similar, as it trains the body to use the breath and change the breath through various techniques. If you’re a Mountains Person, exploring these practices may help you increase your body awareness and breath.

Smoking

I listened to Ra Uru Hu — a smoker! — describe this part of Mountains in detail and it piggybacks off breathwork. By inhaling smoke, the breath is shifting. Having a relationship with plant material as it is inhaled (or ingested) I feel is part of many spiritual practices. While some may smoke cigarettes, I find more are drawn to cannabis, and other plant material. I’ve witnessed great healing in a couple Mountains People who were able to develop a relationship with cannabis that addressed some societal conditioning (and lack of education) they had been carrying around cannabis. Some Mountains People I’ve worked with said they chose to burn incense or herbs in a dish rather than inhaling, and found the billowing smoke to be restorative. You’ll have to run this one through your own system even if it is in the original translations from Ra.

Elevations

Mountains People may be drawn to higher elevations, such as an apartment or two-story home. I appreciate that some Mountains People live in a sprawling bungalow in the middle of the Prairies — but if there is an opportunity for elevation change, I highly recommend it. This can be climbing a rock or tree in the backyard (you may notice Mountains Kids doing this), or moving the bedrooms to the upper floor of the space you dwell in. If you are ever feeling unwell, move to the upper floor of a space, or to higher elevation. Sometimes it’s the kids’ treehouse! If you have the opportunity to be selective with this, seek out lofts or loft-like locations, or multi-story homes. Conversely, a one-story space that is part of a tall building that overlooks the city is still a change in elevation. Elevators! And, interesting, notice the “elevaters” in your life (those who elevate you).

Fresh air (Stale air)

Back to the breath! Never underestimate how restorative fresh air can be for Mountains People. A crisp walk alone is a getaway — perfect for Mountains People. But it’s also about the air and air quality. Forest bathing through a hike between the trees can help clear a Mountains Person and help see their correct perspective on things. Many Mountains People are outdoor enthusiasts and participate in outdoor-specific activities. Walking the dog, escaping to the lake, lounging in the backyard — these are all getaways anchored nature. Cyclists, hikers, BMXers, gardeners, rugby players — notice the activities you’re drawn to and if any of them are done outdoors. “Getting away” from it all is a big mountains thing, and this often means being drawn to getaways, countryside, rural space, or solitude.

Travel

Here are the travellers. Though I’ve met some Mountains people who are homebodies (their homes can often be quite isolated and tucked away somewhere), I’ve met more who have a home away from home or who prioritize travel in their life. Traveling somewhere else is the ultimate Mountain move, and for good reason — it renews their perspective. It’s a get-away moment.

Rural/Country Life

As the first Landscape Environment, Mountains People have moved away from the Hardscapes of Caves, Markets and Kitchens and are more about the wider space around them. They are not so concerned with what is available to them within the hardscape, but what is available around and through the landscape around them. Wherever these people find themselves drawn, whether thats rural or urban life, they typically look for places that have access to some go-to resources around them based on their personal needs. The Mountain is all about knowing your go-tos and who or what is a reliable resource to you based on your interests.

Wide View

You can find “the Mountain” no matter where you are. If you’re ever out in public, head to a restaurant or even visit a friend, choose to orient yourself so you have the widest view of the space. Don’t sit in the very middle of the room — this is the Kitchen. You may be drawn to corners, lofts or elevations. If you head to a restaurant, choose to be seated far from the rest of the patrons, or tucked in a corner or spot that has the widest view of the entire space. Hallways and cubbies won’t feel great for Mountains People. They can’t “see”.