By Elizabeth Herman | Posted: October 10, 2019
Golf courses around the U.S. beckon players on beautiful sunny days, with expanses of green grass, fresh air, and clear, blue skies. But did you know that recreational sports like golf cause more injuries than seemingly violent team sports like rugby or hockey? Statistics show a rate of 1.8 injuries per 1,000 people in individual recreational sports, with only a 1.5 rate per 1,000 people for most team sports (except American football, which has a rate of 2.1).
A better experience on the golf course
You may enjoy the game of golf so much that you can’t get enough, but what is it doing to your body and mind? You can enhance your experience and cut down on physical aches and pains as well as mental fatigue by adding a sequence of yoga poses to your regular routine.
Not only does yoga minimize your risk of injuries, it also increases your energy reserves and your ability to move around the golf course with more grace and ease. You’ll be more likely to take on 18 holes of golf more often, instead of calling it quits after 9 holes. You’ll also find yourself avoiding sand traps, teeing off more effectively, hitting the ball harder, and having fewer shots as a result!
Professionals and amateurs in many fields, including sports, the performing arts, and business, have benefitted from the ancient practice of yoga. With better posture, breathing techniques for relaxation, stronger muscles, and flexibility, golf will be more enjoyable when you support yourself and avoid those pesky aches and pains.
Here's a list of basic yoga postures to help you enhance your golfing experience:
1. Surya namaskar (sun salutation)
Combining 12 different yoga postures, sun salutations help strengthen your shoulders, arms, chest, legs, hamstrings and back, as well as other parts of the body. Not only will they boost your stamina and make you stronger, but you will feel more flexible and safer from injury. Sun salutations help you swing your clubs with confidence!
2. Marjariasana (cat pose)
Cat pose strengthens important upper body joints like the shoulders and wrists, relaxes the mind, makes the spine flexible, and improves circulation. It’s especially wonderful for golf players, as it cools down your anxiety and increases the power of muscles in the upper half of your body.
3. Adho mukho svanasana (downward facing dog pose)
The downward facing dog pose helps arms, shoulders, legs, and feet become stronger. The spine becomes longer, muscles are strengthened, and more blood circulates to the brain. It relieves headaches and fatigue, two symptoms which hardcore golfers frequently get post-game.
4. Poorvottanasana (upward plank pose)
The upward plank pose improves the condition of the wrists, arms, shoulders, back, and spine. The legs and hips get a good stretch in this pose, bringing you more energy and putting a spring in your step. You’ll make more powerful shots because of your stronger wrists and arms, and you’ll also prevent symptoms like golfer's elbow.
5. Setu bandhasana (bridge pose)
Bridge pose relieves stress, strengthens the back muscles, calms anxiety and stress, and soothes the brain. It stretches the chest, neck, and spine, making it easier to play golf with flexibility.
6. Veerbhadrasana (warrior pose)
Warrior pose tones the arms, legs, and lower back, releasing stress in the shoulders. It encourages courage, grace, and better stamina. This pose helps enhance the experience of your game by encouraging elegance and fluidity of movement when you play.
7. Shavasana (corpse pose)
Corpse pose is a key posture that induces a meditative state of mind, repairs tissues and cells, lessens anxiety, and leaves you feeling rejuvenated, rested, and revived.
Golf players need flexibility, stamina, and a calm mind to improve their game. Whether you’re a professional golf player or a dynamic amateur, yoga can shield you from possible injuries and enhance your performance. Learn more about yoga, a multi-faceted way of enriching your life and sport, at a nearby Sri Sri Yoga program.
Yoga practice helps develop the body and mind, with many health benefits, yet it isn’t a substitute for medicine. It’s very important to learn and practice yoga postures under the supervision of a trained Sri Sri Yoga teacher. In case of any medical condition, practice yoga postures after consulting a doctor and a Sri Sri Yoga teacher. Find a Sri Sri Yoga program at the Art of Living Center near you.
Elizabeth Herman writes, offers writing support to clients, teaches, and volunteers for a better world. She has a PhD in Rhetoric, Composition and Literature.
