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Golf and Yoga
Yoga’s power to create
a state of mental and physical well being
may also rev up your golf game.
Yoga promotes increased
flexibility and range of motion, and when
combined with regular golf practice may show
exceptional results. By practicing yoga you
will also experience an increased ability to
concentrate and focus, you’ll have better
balance during your swing, a higher
resistance to stress factors and an all
round healthier way of living.
Don’t worry. You don’t
have to be able to twist yourself into a
pretzel in order to enjoy the benefits of
yoga. If you're just getting into yoga,
it's important to start off slowly. Over
time your body will become more flexible and
you'll be able to achieve more difficult
poses.
Lots of physical
activities build your muscles and strength,
but many times other parts of your body are
left out. Because yoga is a full body
workout, it can help to check any imbalance
in your muscles.
Yoga also strengthens, tones, and stretches
your muscles, helping to increase your
flexibility. If your body is flexible you
will be less likely to get injured during
your swing.
Your yoga practice will lead to improved
physical fitness, increased ability to
concentrate, and decreased stress. It helps
both your body and mind work a little
better.
And that translates into a better golf game!
Ready to start?
You’ll want comfortable clothing that won't
get in the way of your stretching.
Bare feet are ideal when you practice yoga,
both for the traction they give you for
standing poses, as well as the workout your
feet will get!
If you don’t have an exercise mat, use a
firm pillow or folded up blanket.
It's important to make sure your muscles are
warmed up before you begin your yoga
routine. Never force your body into a
posture or try to go beyond your limits—you
could strain your muscles. Using the correct
form is also key to getting the most out of
your yoga experience, so get into a class
that's right for you (whether you're a
beginner or an expert). And, don't be afraid
to ask your teacher for help! Learning the
correct way to do each pose is important for
overall mind and body development.
If you are feeling sore, you've overdone it!
When to Practice
Yoga can fit easily into your
schedule—taking 10-15 minutes each day to
practice can make a difference (just make
sure to wait at least two to three hours
after you've eaten)
Where to Practice
Find a quiet spot where you won't be
distracted. You’ll need an area that’s large
enough for you to stretch upwards as well as
to the sides.
How to Practice
Always warm up first! Plan a well-rounded
workout that includes lots of different
positions from all of the major muscle
groups (arms, legs, abs, back, chest). Most
importantly, remember to breathe! Inhale
when you try upward and expanded movements,
and exhale during downward or forward
bending motions.
Focus on each position—move slowly making
controlled movements until you feel your
muscles tensing and resisting (you should
feel your muscles stretching, not
straining). Each pose in yoga is an
experiment, so go slowly and listen to your
body. Know when you are pushing yourself too
hard or need to challenge yourself a little
more.
Finally, remember to take 5-10 minutes to
relax your body at the end of your workout.
This will help to prevent sore muscles and
keep them supple and ready for your next
game.
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