Fitness Tip - Yoga and Golf: Strike A Pose

By Katherine Roberts

Do you think you can buy a better golf game? Club manufacturers are counting on it. The truth is that the best piece of equipment you own is your body.

As you stand on the tee box, preparing to hit your shot, do you feel balanced, physically strong and flexible? Is your mind racing with all the golf tips from your last lesson or are you calm and focused? The elements of strength, flexibility, balance and concentration are essential for golf performance. These same elements are the foundation for the practice of yoga and the motivation behind yoga as an excellent form of exercise to enhance your golf game.

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. Begin by torquing your upper body and lower body in opposing directions - now add 80elements of strength, balance and speed - all executed from a standing, static position. Perform this movement repetitively 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 involved in the mechanics of the golf swing - primarily the spine, shoulders, and legs.

Try this yoga pose which is intended to work the muscles of the spine. The Cat pose will gently and effectively increase your spinal range of motion. Begin on the floor, place your body on all fours - hands and knees. The hands are placed directly under the shoulders - knees directly under the hips. As you begin a deep inhalation, engage the buttocks and curl the spine from the base up to your neck (tucking your chin into your chest) 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. Perform this ten times in each direction - moving very slowly with focus on deep breathing through the nose.

Your body will take time to experience greater flexibility, strength and balance. With consistent effort you will be more balanced in your golf stance, increase your driving distance, and enhance performance. Why yoga and golf? Because your body doesn’t get a mulligan!

Email katherine@northstarcoaching.com