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Reduced flexibility in
the torso. Strained and tight shoulders. A stiff or painful back.
Unfortunately, that’s the description of many golfers. Golfers habitually
bend and twist, bend and twist; all the while straining their back and
shoulders, forming muscle imbalances and instigating injury.
A healthy golfer’s body
begins with full body strength, flexibility, and the maintenance of muscle
balance. Players need strength in their upper and lower body musculature,
their postural and rotational muscles, and need to be mindful of their
muscular symmetry. The stronger muscles are tighter, while the weaker
muscles are more flexible. Swinging a golf club efficiently also
necessitates full range of motion of the spine and ribs, shoulder rotators,
forearms, wrists, and hips. Flexibility in these areas is of utmost
importance and will help reduce the frequency of tears and strains of
ligaments and tendons.
While flexibility enables
motion to occur, sufficient strength of the shoulder muscles is essential in
controlling the club. The abdominals and back muscles are used in concert to
stabilize the trunk, while hip muscles are extremely important during the
downswing and to maintain balance. In the absence of strong hip musculature,
your low back and arms must make up the work and risk a back strain.
The Principles
of Yoga
In addition to gains in
flexibility, yoga offers an increased mental focus that can develop from
practicing these postures. Many, if not all, golfers struggle with the
mental hazards of the game…loss of concentration due to fatigue,
distractions from a nerve-racking day, and interruptions from those around
us. The intent of all the poses is to take us away from the unending chatter
of the mind which can distract us from the focus required in a flawless golf
swing.
The Principles
of Pilates
Pilates strengthens the
core, increases flexibility and builds stability within the pelvis and
torso. Pilates requires concentration, control, and the ability to
effectively stabilize your torso during movements of the extremities. Using
these exercises to strengthen your center will help lengthen the torso and
improve your posture.
Suggested Yoga
Exercises
The following yoga poses
performed 2 to 3 times a week are just a few of the many that can enhance a
golfer’s performance.
- Lunge: Begin
on your hands and knees and step the left foot forward between your
hands. Have the shin perpendicular to the floor. Curl your back foot’s
toes under and press the heel down. Draw your hips forward, descending
the right thigh toward the floor. Place your hands on your left knee and
lift up through your chest. Hold for 30 seconds and switch sides.
Stretches the hips and challenges balance.
- Half Wall Stretch (Ardha
Uttanasana): Place your hands on the wall at shoulder height and
shoulder width apart. Step back until your arms are completely straight,
while keeping your feet directly under your hips. Keep your back straight
as you to bend forward. Take several breaths, then, walk toward the wall
to release the pose. Lengthens the spine, stretches the shoulders,
hamstrings, and calves.
- Tree Pose (Vrksasana):
Stand with your feet together and shift your weight to the left foot
and bend your right knee. Place the right heel on the left thigh as you
turn the right hip out. Keep your hips facing forward. Raise your arms
overhead. Stay in the pose for 30 seconds, breathing deeply. Repeat the
other side. Challenges balance and mental focus.
- Bridge (Setu Bandha):
Lie on your back with both knees bent and feet hip distance apart.
Place your arms by your sides, palms facing down. Inhale and press down
through your hands and tuck the tailbone. Exhale and press your heels
down and lift your hips, sacrum and spine off the floor. Press
down through your arms and feet to help lift your chest up. Breathe for 20
seconds, then, lower your hips. Repeat 3 times. Lengthens the spine and
strengthens the hips, gluteals, hamstrings, and low back.
Suggested
Pilates Exercises
Perform the suggested
exercises 2 to 3 times a week, keeping your abdominals contracted while
maintaining a neutral spine position. A neutral spine refers to alignment of
the body between postural extremes; it's in between a flattened back and an
arched back.
- The Saw: Sit
tall with legs extended slightly greater than hip width apart. Extend
your arms open about 45 degrees from the plane of your body. Keeping the
spine lifted, exhale and drop the right arm down over the left leg as if
to saw off the left pinky toe with the right pinky finger. Using your
abdominals, roll up and return to starting position. Repeat 4-5 times on
each side. Increases flexibility of the torso and rotational muscles and
improves posture and alignment.
-
The Mermaid:
Begin sitting on your left hip with your legs folded to the right side.
Place your left hand on the floor adjacent to your left hip and relax your
right arm at your side. Exhale and lengthen up out of your hips,
straightening your legs and extending your spine.
Repeat 5 times on each side. Challenges
your balance and strengthens your shoulders, abdominals, and torso.
- Alternating
Opposite Arm and Leg lifts: Begin prone with navel to spine. Reach
both arms out in front of you. Exhale and extend the left arm and right
leg up while maintaining a stabile torso and without rocking your
hips. Keep shoulder blades together and down. Inhale and lower. Alternate
sides. Repeat 5 times on each side. Strengthens the back and shoulders and
lengthens the spine and hips.
A balanced, flexible, and strong body is the
foundation a serious golfer needs to take his game to the next level.
Integrating yoga and Pilates into your exercise regimen will improve your
game both physically and mentally.
Catherine Fiscella,
MSPT, is a licensed physical therapist and certified Pilates instructor and
personal trainer at Cioffredi and Associates at the River Valley Club in
Lebanon, New Hampshire. She also wrote, researched, and choreographed the
DVD series “Keeping Fit in Your 50s” and has been featured in Shape
Magazine’s Target Training column on multiple occasions.
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