Yoga Stretches For Golf
Adding yoga stretches into your training routine is a great way to increase your flexibility. Improving flexibility will not only make you feel better during everyday life but it will also will allow for greater ease during the golf swing.
Many people that try yoga for the first time are surprised about how difficult it is. It is not just glorified stretching! It is a full body workout that will challenge you.
The first time that I tried yoga was while trying the P90x exercise routine. If you are unfamiliar with P90x, it is a fairly intense home workout program where each day is a different workout. Some days were harder than others, but the yoga day was much more difficult than expected!
If you are unfamiliar with yoga, I will give you a couple words of advise. First, know your limits! Don't push yourself too hard initially because you will likely get very sore. Remember, most of these are advanced flexibility exercises. Second, it always a good idea to consult your physician before trying any new exercise routine. This is especially true if you have any sort of underlying orthopedic condition. Finally, if you feel uncomfortable diving right in, take a yoga class first!
The yoga stretches presented here are very basic. They are intended to be an introduction only. If you want more advanced techniques, please sign up for a class or consult a more extensive reference.
Easy Pose
An easy yoga stretch to get you started. Sit on the floor, or mat, and cross your legs with your feet underneath of your knees. Rest your forearms on your thighs. Keep your back straight and take deep breaths.
Cobra
Start by lying on your stomach. Gently push up with your arms, extending your back. Push up until your elbows are fully straight. Relax your legs and take deep breaths and then return to the starting position.
Cat Pose
Start on all fours and back flat. At the same time, look up by extending your neck and arching your back. Then, tuck your head down and round off your back at the same time.
Downward Dog
Start on all fours. Exhale, and shift your weight backwards by bending your knees. Keeping both hands and feet on the ground, straighten your knees so that your rear end is pointing toward the ceiling. Relax your head and neck and allow your weight to shift back towards your feet.
Half Spinal Twist
Start on the floor, sitting on your feet with your feet turned in. Shift your weight to the right leg, and move your left leg forward so that your hip and knee at at 90 degree angles and your foot is flat on the ground. Next, cross your left leg over your right thigh and place your foot on the ground. Rotate at your waist to the left by placing the back of your right arm on the far side of your left leg. Rotate your neck to the left. Repeat the same steps to the other side.
Forward Bend
Start standing. Inhale and raise arms overhead. As you exhale, bend at your waist and try to grab your ankles with your hands. Relax, breathe, and hold the stretch.
Warrior I
Stand standing, and spread your legs wide. Turn your right foot directly to the right, and your left foot slightly inward. Rotate at your waist to the right. Bend at your right knee and raise your arms overhead. Hold and breathe. Repeat to the other side.
This page is only scratching the
surface of yoga stretches! I will continue to add more to the list, but
if you have any great positions not mentioned, please create your own
web page about the exercise by clicking on "Flexibility" on the left
navigation bar and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Any input
would be greatly appreciated!
For more information about Yoga for golf, please check out:
Golf Fitness Home Page > Flexibility Exercises > Yoga Stretches For Golf
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