| So how do you get your golf buddies to stop making | | | | stretch the spine, drawing the crown of the head |
| fun of you for doing yoga? How about ripping 14 | | | | down and the face toward the knees. |
| tee-shots past theirs next weekend. It's a fact: Yoga | | | | 3. Inhale and slowly roll up to a standing position. |
| increases flexibility and flexibility increases the ability for | | | | Modified: Bend the knees if you have lower back |
| a golfer to generate club-head speed. | | | | trouble. You can also grab opposite forearm with each |
| Of course, we don't all have to go to yoga classes | | | | hand. Breathe. Repeat three times |
| every day. I would recommend using an at home yoga | | | | Pose 3: Seated Twist |
| DVD at a skill level you are comfortable with at least a | | | | 1. Sit on the floor with the legs stretched out in front of |
| few times a week. Alas, if this not your style, then at | | | | you. Press the backs of the knees down and into the |
| least use a few yoga poses such as these to help | | | | floor and point the toes up. Lengthen the spine and sit |
| increase your flexibility for your next round. | | | | upright. |
| Perfect time to practice these poses: | | | | 2. Inhale and bend the left knee and overlap the left |
| The TV is on, you're watching golf yet again, you're | | | | foot up over the right knee. The side of the foot is |
| thinking how you need to improve, so you can now do | | | | against outside of the right thigh. |
| something about it by actively working on your flexibility | | | | 3. As you exhale slowly turn your head, chest and |
| while still following the action. Perfect. Try these poses | | | | arms 90 degrees to the left. Grab the knee with the |
| a few times a week as well as after your rounds and | | | | right hand, position the left arm to the rear pressing |
| be amazed at the results. Don't forget to breathe | | | | down on the palm or fingertips. On each exhalation, |
| slowly and deliberately through your nose while doing | | | | twist the head further behind you looking to the rear. |
| these postures. | | | | Each inhale elongates the spine upwards. Hold this |
| Pose 1: Chest Expansions | | | | pose for 5 breaths. |
| 1. Stand in a relaxed position with feet together. | | | | 4. Inhale and slowly and twist to facing forward again. |
| 2. Bring your arms behind your back and lock the | | | | Release the left leg to the floor. Alternate sides and |
| fingers.Then straighten the arms with chest expanding. | | | | repeat. |
| If you cannot lock your fingers, face palms together | | | | To advance this stretch you can tuck your left foot up |
| without interlacing fingers. With each exhale try and | | | | and into the right buttock. Position the right arm over |
| holder the arms higher behind you. Hold for at least | | | | the left knee. Follow the same steps above. Repeat |
| 30-seconds. | | | | twice |
| 3. Keep knees straight and very slowly gaze up as far | | | | Pose 4: Bending Half Twist |
| as comfortable, relax your neck. Breathe deeply and | | | | 1. Start in a relaxed standing position. Hold arms straight |
| hold for 30 seconds. | | | | in front of you and bend at the waist to a forward half |
| 4. Slowly bend forward as far as comfortable. Relax | | | | fold. Keep your back straight. |
| neck and drop crown of the head to the floor. Breathe | | | | 2. Raise the right arm toward the sky as you gaze |
| deeply and hold for 30 seconds. Keeping fingers | | | | toward the right fingers. Anchor the left arm on the |
| locked and knees straight slowly return to upright | | | | floor, or on the inside of your right leg. You can gaze |
| position. | | | | downward if this bothers your neck. Hold for 5 breaths. |
| 5. Return arms to side and relax for a moment. Keep | | | | 3. Gently release back to forward fold. |
| the breath moving. Repeat three times | | | | 4. Change to other side. Repeat. Repeat 3 times |
| Pose 2: Forward Bend | | | | All of these postures create space in the spine, hips, |
| 1. Stand with your feet together or slightly apart. | | | | chest and leg muscles. After just one week of doing |
| 2. Exhale and slowly bend forward from the hips | | | | this exercises you will begin to feel the increased |
| keeping your back straight and looking forward. Try to | | | | flexibility and also strength in the core muscles. Not to |
| not bend knees and relax the neck. Either place the | | | | mention it just feels good! This increased core strength |
| fingertips to the floor or hold the ankles. Hold this pose | | | | and flexibility will translate into a noticeable increase in |
| for 30-seconds. Breathe deeply and with each exhale | | | | control and speed in your golf swing. Keep it up! |