Yoga

[Moonlightgrm]

Getting ready for next golf season

I live in Western Massachusetts so the clubs have been stored in the basement for the winter. I've noticed a loss in flexibility these last few years and decided it was time to do something about it. I purchased a DVD by Patricia Walden entitled Yoga for Beginners, and began practicing the basic poses during the week of Christmas. I haven't missed a day and am waking up in the morning with zero back pain and a sense of looseness. Yesterday, I grabbed my pitching wedge and six-iron and headed to our club to hit some golf balls into our indoor net. WOW! In three plus weeks I could feel the difference. My backswing felt longer. No tightness, and this morning when I awoke, no stiffness in my back or shoulders. I'm going to continue my Yoga routine adding poses as I become more confident. I cannot wait 'til next spring!

[Tanner25]

I believe I can also drop a few strokes with less back pain and more flexibility. Where can you pick this up?
Can you recomend an exercise/stretch to get us started?

[KYMAR]

Please post some video.

Just kidding. I have recently started a workout program specifically designed for Golf and No one, NO ONE, wants to see that. Awesome to hear that you have started to see some results so quickly! That's a big confidence booster as i have just pretty much started this routine. Keep at it, and keep us updated on your progress. I'll chime in here with mine if i make any.

P.S. Great screen name

[bryanr]

Congrats! I've been doing yoga consistently for 2 years now and it's a very high reward activity. I'd suggest finding someplace nearby to take classes. Doing yoga in a good studio definitely pushes you farther than you can go on your own.

[TaylorMadeAP25]

When I played baseall in college is when i first started doing Yoga and liked it... got away from it this last year and half and recently started it up again. Im trying a diffrent style though, its called hot yoga, we sit in a room thats anywhere from 85 to 90 degrees and just sweat while doing some beginner stuff....not bad for me being 21 also, its a great way to meet girls . love it

[Rohlio]

My wife is a Yoga teacher. When I got serious about golf I realized my body was not equipped to play the type of golf I wanted to play. I would recommend anybody who is serious about the game to look into at least becoming familiar with Yoga. The increase in physical ability (balance, flexibilty, strength and the connection between body parts) combined with the mental growth that comes about by learning to maintain mental focus is just so wonderfully applicable to golf.

There is a line in [u]Golf in The Kingdom[/u] "Golf is the Yoga of the New Mind". This is one of the most honest statements I have heard expressed. One day while playing it occurred to me that golf is a type of Asana (yoga movement) practice (although with a different type of mental pace). I enjoy the game so much more now.

Unless you are in Oregon, in which case you should just take classes from my wife I would recommend the following DVD's for anybody who wants to try it in the privacy of their home rather than going to the female dominated environment that is the Yoga Studio (going to a Yoga studio will give you an idea of one of the reasons that more women don't play golf btw)

[url="http://www.yogaforgolfers.com/cgi-local/store/cart/List.cgi?F=l&C=Media%20Products"]http://www.yogaforgolfers.com/cgi-local/store/cart/List.cgi?F=l&C=Media%20Products[/url]


These are specifically designed for Golfers and start with beginner series.

[leftypga]

Great that you've found yoga and it is working for you. I have been doing yoga for a few years now and it has been great for my game and even better during practice. After about 20 mins of putting on the practice green, my lower back would pretty much put me out of commission. Now I've got no problem. Bikram (or hot) yoga that the above poster mentioned really kicks your @$$. It's great if you are already comfortable doing yoga and in good shape, but I've seen a few people pass our doing this style of yoga. Also, many Bikram instructors will keep pushing you even when you know you've past your limits. I don't think this is the best way to approach yoga. Find a good instructor that will work with you and your abilities.

If anyone is just starting out with yoga, I would suggest purchasing Yoga For Golfers. As posted above, however, it is always better to find a good studio than doing it on your own.

[Rohlio]

There are many types of Hot Yoga, that are not "Bikram"

I won't go into my feelings about Bikram Yoga, but suffice it to say, there are lots of styles of Yoga out there, you should look around til you find one that really speaks to you.

[bryanr]

I'll throw in a vote for Ashtanga yoga and venture that it's the most suited for golfers looking to improve their strength in movement

[philsRHman]

I just recently saw my swing on video and noticed two things:

God, I've gotten fat.

God, my backswing is short.

I'm in my early 30s and a combination of trying to swing under control, carrying 50 pounds more than a decade ago, and a real lack of flexibility has my backswing far more like JB Holmes than the John Daly of my youth. Obviously there's a middle ground.

But like some have mentioned here, I also struggled a lot with lower back pain in 2009, and my goal is to start a regular yoga program this winter. So far, it's gone as well as most of my diets (I did one day, then was quite sore and lazy and didn't again). But you guys have me motivated, and I think yoga's just what I need to increase my flexibility, especially in the lower back, hamstrings and core in general. I'd also like to add some pilates to the mix, because I know I can never take my game to the level I want with my current spare tire and know I need to flatten and strengthen my core.

[Rohlio]

[quote name='bryanr' date='17 January 2010 - 06:22 PM' timestamp='1263770540' post='2187608']
I'll throw in a vote for Ashtanga yoga and venture that it's the most suited for golfers looking to improve their strength in movement
[/quote]

Ashtanga forms the basis of what most studios have gone to. It seems I am seeing a lot of Vinyasa/ Power Vinyasa classes recently. These are normally classes rooted in Ashtanga with an emphasis on flowing between movements. An excellent choice for golfers.

[BigTexGolfer]

Been working out for the past 3.5 years with weights/cardio, with the past 2.5 geared toward weights/core workouts that will help improve my golf game. Also doing some stretching and consistently doing myofacial release stuff with foam roller and tennis ball. I did a couple of yoga classes a year or so ago, but had trouble getting the schedule at the club to fit in my schedule. This year the club added some yoga classes to the schedule, and I did 4 of them over the past week. One thing that jump out is I am even tighter than I thought, especially when doing movement into poses. My balance is probably not what it should be either, even though we do some of that in a core class I do every week. I would highly suggest finding a yoga studio or health club class to get started, a good instructor definitely makes a difference. The instructor in one of the classes adjusted my posture and help me rotate further in one of the rotational poses. I am trying to incorporate what she did in my swing, and so far seems to help. I am planning to adjust my workout schedule to 3 weight/core days, and 3 yoga classes. Keep doing the foam roller/tennis ball thing as well.

[Moonlightgrm]

Day 50 into my new found love, YOGA. Knee flexibility has improved and I can touch my toes during the sun salutation! Simply put, I feel better. Hope this improves my golf game, but if it doesn't, no big deal. It's improved my quality of life.

[justhackin]

Anyone tried the Wii with yoga? I was trying to do a Yoga DVD but it wasn't doing what I thought it should so I bought a Wii and Wii Fit. If the Wii is having me do the poses correctly it is much different than what I was doing on my own. Have any of you Yoga folks ever tried the Wii?

We don't have any local classes.

hackin

[bryanr]

[quote name='Moonlightgrm' date='16 February 2010 - 05:19 PM' timestamp='1266358797' post='2256111']
Day 50 into my new found love, YOGA. Knee flexibility has improved and I can touch my toes during the sun salutation! Simply put, I feel better. Hope this improves my golf game, but if it doesn't, no big deal. It's improved my quality of life.
[/quote]

Awesome! It just keeps getting better. I bumped up from one class per week to two this year and the improvement in daily life has a snowball effect. Glad it's working out so well for you.

[bryanr]

[quote name='justhackin' date='16 February 2010 - 09:44 PM' timestamp='1266374698' post='2256751']
Anyone tried the Wii with yoga? I was trying to do a Yoga DVD but it wasn't doing what I thought it should so I bought a Wii and Wii Fit. If the Wii is having me do the poses correctly it is much different than what I was doing on my own. Have any of you Yoga folks ever tried the Wii?

We don't have any local classes.

hackin
[/quote]

I haven't but I would say two things:

Any form of it will be beneficial (whether it's worth the time is another thing and depends on the commitment/quality of course)

Going to yoga in group classes is a much different and more demanding experience (with much greater reward)

There are principles and exercises that you can read about or watch videos of but, mentally, being in a class with an instructor really isolates that new and somewhat uncomfortable experience, allowing you to push yourself farther.

So - if you have to drive an hour to find a studio, it's absolutely worth it at least a few times. If you absolutely can not find a place to take classes, then look into online webcam classes. I don't know much about it but they are out there and at least then you will be practicing with a real (albeit remote) human being rather than a game system. Also, the dopamine-inducing sounds and colors of video games is very incongruous with the practice of yoga.

[ejones1961]

[quote name='justhackin' date='16 February 2010 - 08:44 PM' timestamp='1266374698' post='2256751']
Anyone tried the Wii with yoga? I was trying to do a Yoga DVD but it wasn't doing what I thought it should so I bought a Wii and Wii Fit. If the Wii is having me do the poses correctly it is much different than what I was doing on my own. Have any of you Yoga folks ever tried the Wii?

We don't have any local classes.

hackin
[/quote]


I prefer to do the DVD. When doing yoga poses on the Wii it is one pose at the time instead of flowing from one pose into another. It gives me more motivation to keep at it. With the Wii I cant move from one position to another in a very coordinated manner and I have a better session.

[justhackin]

Thanks guys

One thing I did notice on the Wii is with the little dot moving it forced me into positions that were uncomfortable which I wasn't doing the DVD. One of my wife's cousins has done some with instructors and she thought the Wii was fairly good just didn't like the fact you stopped between positions.

I looked up the DVD for golfers above and there are several with that title. The link above doesn't work so which one is it?

Thanks

hackin

[Moonlightgrm]

Okay, the golf season has begun in Western Massachusetts. Has yoga made a difference in my golf game? YES! I'm generally a slow starter but this season I've posted opening rounds of 78 and 77. My swing has gotten a little bit longer and I'm hitting the ball about 1/2 club farther. Most importantly, I don't feel the usual tightness that develops in my back around mid-round. My goal is to get back to the level I used to play at in my 20s and 30s (0-handicap). That may be a pipe dream (I'm 52 years old), but I'm gunning for it. I'd recommend some sort of flexibility program to anyone, especially golfers. The key is sticking with it. I do a 20 to 30 minute Yoga workout EVERY day. I weight train every other day.

ENJOY!

[golfquest]

Moonlightgrm,
Are you going to yoga classes or using a DVD?

[Rohlio]

[quote name='Moonlightgrm' date='15 April 2010 - 11:57 AM' timestamp='1271347071' post='2381224']
Okay, the golf season has begun in Western Massachusetts. Has yoga made a difference in my golf game? YES! I'm generally a slow starter but this season I've posted opening rounds of 78 and 77. My swing has gotten a little bit longer and I'm hitting the ball about 1/2 club farther. Most importantly, I don't feel the usual tightness that develops in my back around mid-round. My goal is to get back to the level I used to play at in my 20s and 30s (0-handicap). That may be a pipe dream (I'm 52 years old), but I'm gunning for it. I'd recommend some sort of flexibility program to anyone, especially golfers. The key is sticking with it. I do a 20 to 30 minute Yoga workout EVERY day. I weight train every other day.

ENJOY!
[/quote]

I am so happy to hear that.

And being scratch in your 50's is very possible. I play with many low single digit guys in their 50+'s including a guy who is a +1.2 at 61 years old.

[hillrat0917]

Ok so I have to post now after reading about Yoga. I for one have started doing the yoga sculpt class at Core Power and have noticed the biggest improvement of my life in flexibility and strength. I played collegiate football and baseball and I am 6'2'' and about 185 however I was never very flexible except for my pitching arm. However after college I needed to find something I could do outside so I took up golf. My first golf instructor told me I was inflexible and it was going to hurt my golf game. Anyway, long story short, I started going to Yoga Sculpt at Core Power in Minnesota (there are others across the country...search Core Power) because my wife and my mom both told me to go as well as my best friend. Let me tell you....it is simply the best thing there is for you hands down.

Yoga Sculpt is a hot yoga, aerobic, weightlifting, butting kicking, flexibility increasing, gut busting workout. You become more flexible, stronger, burn 1000's of calories and get better overall conditioning. The class is not even really yoga so much, it is an energy explosion, fast paced music combined with weight lifting. I only use 3 and 5 lbs weights, ( I used to bench my weight 3x for 10 reps) and have to put them down sometimes. I have seen guys Jacked and Tan, just dropping to the floor and leaving never coming back. You will sweat like Patrick Ewing.

As far as the golf game....It is simply the best thing there is for it. Strength plus flexibility and conditioning. I drove the ball last time out 325 twice and on the very last hole at loggers trail here in MN... 360 that was GPS measured and I hit a 60 degree wedge into the green. Not saying it was all because of yoga, but my other friend who is a scrath/+ capper does sculpt class more than me 3x a week and he says he is getting 15 yards + more and is hitting more shots pure. He is sure it is due to yoga. Also, my wife goes 5x to 7x a week and she now fits into her high school jeans and skirts....also if I wasn't married to the most incredible woman ever, let me tell you yoga women are a 10 and they all think you are way more cool by being man enough to go to yoga....for the most part these women kick my butt and can handle the 5 and 8 lbs weights the whole class.

So stop thinking it is for wussy's, go do it. I sit on my butt all day if I don't play golf and in the winter it is the best thing ever and I continue to go 1x per week now.

[stage1350]

I was forced to take two PE classes to graduate, so I took golf and yoga. My instructor taught a lot of Hatha/Astanga yoga. While I'm very flexible for my size, I was quickly humbled some of the moves the instructor did.

On the bright side, I feel like I have a wider shoulder turn and am not nearly as sore after 18 or a jumbo bucket of balls at the range the next day.

There is also the benefit noted above of the scenery. The guy/girl ratio in my class was me and the rest were ladies. Some of those coeds were incredibly flexible...

[Moonlightgrm]

[color=#1C2837]Moonlightgrm,
Are you going to yoga classes or using a DVD? [/color]
[color="#1C2837"]
[/color]
[color="#1C2837"]I'm using a VHS video and occasionally use the Wii Fit Plus with my wife. One of my cousins is a regular at a local Yoga studio and she's trying to get me to attend with her. That's probably something I'll try over the summer when I'm off work.[/color]
[color="#1C2837"]Played nine holes this morning and shot 38 from the tips with 18 putts! GO YOGA!!![/color]
[color="#1C2837"]footnote: apparently yoga doesn't help your putting.[/color]

[Rohlio]

[quote name='Moonlightgrm' date='16 April 2010 - 12:07 PM' timestamp='1271434031' post='2383303']
[color="#1c2837"]Moonlightgrm,
[/color]
[color="#1c2837"]footnote: apparently yoga doesn't help your putting.[/color]
[/quote]

I bet it will if you start using the meditation and breathing techniques that are such an important part of yoga.

[bryanr]

[quote name='Rohlio' date='16 April 2010 - 12:13 PM' timestamp='1271434411' post='2383312']
[quote name='Moonlightgrm' date='16 April 2010 - 12:07 PM' timestamp='1271434031' post='2383303']
[color="#1c2837"]Moonlightgrm,
[/color]
[color="#1c2837"]footnote: apparently yoga doesn't help your putting.[/color]
[/quote]

I bet it will if you start using the meditation and breathing techniques that are such an important part of yoga.
[/quote]

True. There may not be a direct connection but anything that improves your overall well-being, focus, and temperament should be considered a boon.

Does a good night's sleep not help your putting? What about bringing snacks in your golf bag? It won't sink putts for you but it's easier to putt if your stomach isn't grumbling while you're bent over.

The strength built with yoga will have noticeable affects on your swing, endurance, and durability but you may find a more subtle gain over time in the fluidity of your controlled movements - something that would be most apparent in the consistency of your putting stroke. Well, at least I hope

[Rohlio]

[quote name='bryanr' date='16 April 2010 - 01:12 PM' timestamp='1271437930' post='2383420']


True. There may not be a direct connection but anything that improves your overall well-being, focus, and temperament should be considered a boon.

Does a good night's sleep not help your putting? What about bringing snacks in your golf bag? It won't sink putts for you but it's easier to putt if your stomach isn't grumbling while you're bent over.

The strength built with yoga will have noticeable affects on your swing, endurance, and durability but you may find a more subtle gain over time in the fluidity of your controlled movements - something that would be most apparent in the consistency of your putting stroke. Well, at least I hope
[/quote]

Not to mention the increase in body awareness, balance and proprioception will certainly help you become aware of faults in your alignment and stroke over time. But yeah I was mostly getting at the ability to think clearly under pressure and to use your mind as a tool to work for you rather than feeling enslaved to it.

[Moonlightgrm]

Wow, I need to start paying more attention to my breathing during my yoga practice. Currently I'm focusing on the stretching and the muscle groups that are being engaged. This is another reason why talking a class could be an excellent idea.

Rholio, thanks for the earlier words of encouragement regarding my pursuit of scratch golf. I'm currently at a 4.8 index and am doing all I can to get back to scratch. Yoga/fitness is the holy grail, in my opinion.