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As you prepare to hit your tee shot.. do you feel physically
strong, flexible and balanced in your stance? Is your mind quiet
and focused with a smooth cadence in your swing?
Golfers face many physical and psychological challenges in the golf
swing.
The goal: bring the mind and body into one effortless motion -
sometimes called “the zone”. The mind-body connection combines
strength, flexibility, balance, breathing and concentration for golf
performance. Millions of people are discovering similar benefits through
the practice of yoga and significantly improving their
golf game as a
result.
Thinking you can’t
do Yoga because you’re not a pretzel?
Not true. Yoga is now the
fastest growing form of exercise in America with numerous beginner yoga
classes available. There are many styles of yoga, from the most
physically active called Ashtanga or Power yoga, to the more meditative
and gentle style of Kundalini.
Let’s take a look at the mechanics of the golf swing. You ask
the body to perform a series of complex movements involving over fifty
muscles - all executed from a standing static position with explosive
force. When golfers perform this repetitive movement and it is
understandable that the majority of professional and amateur golfers
suffer from low back, shoulder and neck strain. Many of the yoga poses
are designed to bring greater flexibility to the muscles of the body
impacted by the golf swing - primarily the spine, shoulders, and legs.
Many PGA and LPGA professionals like Gary McCord, Andrew Magee and
Annika Sorenstam
utilize the benefits of yoga for better golf.
In the words of Gary McCord, “Preparing for golf, from the
viewpoint of a professional, is an exhaustive task. You have to tighten
your swing, practice your short game, get in the right frame of mind and
get physically fit. Or you can practice yoga and accomplish all of the
above,”
Try this exercise called the Cat Pose which is intended to work
the muscles of the spine: it will gently and effectively increase your
spinal range of motion and increase distance.
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On the floor, come to all fours -
hands are placed directly under the
shoulders - knees directly under the hips.
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As you begin a deep
inhalation, breathing through the nose only, engage (tighten) the
buttocks and curl the spine towards the ceiling, tucking your chin into
your chest, resembling a cat.
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As you begin the
exhalation, arch your
back bringing your shoulder blades together, moving your shoulders away
from your ears. Be sure not to “scrunch” or hyper-extend your neck
during
this exercise.
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Perform this ten times in each direction moving
very slowly.
Once you make the
commitment to enhance your golf game through Yoga you will see
tremendous benefits in distance, focus, recovery time and over-all
wellness.
"Next time you’re tempted by the newest piece of titanium -
remember a strong, flexible body will give you more distance than any
piece of equipment".
Katherine Roberts is a nationally recognized speaker, writer and
presenter for corporate events on yoga and golf fitness. She is
the creator of the award winning video Yoga for Golfers.. Because
Your Body Doesn’t Get A Mulligan.
She will make a difference in your health, fitness and golf game!
We
highly recommend you Contact Katherine at
www.yogaforgolfers.com
Yoga content provide by Katherine Roberts, web page design by
Shegolfs.com
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