Yoga for Golfers

April 4, 2006. According to the National Golf Foundation, about 12.8 million American adults are regular golfers (play at least 8 times a year). Another 14.6 million Americans are occasional golfers. In addition, there are 2.9 million golfers 17 and under in the U.S. Golfing requires physical strength, coordination, stamina, flexibility and mental concentration. A good swing can send a ball sailing at 100 miles per hour or more at distances of 300 yards or further. The force of the swing places a great deal of stress on the body. Among amateur golfers, back injuries are the most common type of sport-related injury, followed by injuries to the elbow, wrist, hand and shoulder. Yoga for Golfers Yoga is considered a form of alternative medicine. It comes from the ancient Sanskrit word meaning "to join," and emphasizes the union of the body and mind to bring about full awareness. Practitioners use exercises (including specific postures or poses), breathing techniques (to improve health and function of the body and mind) and meditation. Researchers estimate about five percent of Americans use yoga for health. Some golfers are now finding the practice to be beneficial for their game as well. Yoga instructor, Ana Rinderer, recommends a technique called Chi Yoga for golfers. In traditional yoga, breathing is done solely through the nose. In Chi Yoga, a person breathes in through the nose and exhales through the mouth. Concentration on breathing warms the body and moves energy resources. The techniques also help the person relax and become more aware of whats going on inside the body. In addition, breathing techniques enable the body to become more flexible for the traditional poses, which tone the body. The breathing and poses help the body become balanced, flexible and toned. As a golfer swings, the yoga techniques relax the mind and body, allowing the player to become more aware of movement, position and force of the swing. Rinderer says golfers need to practice the yoga techniques twice a week for about two months before they start to see any significant improvements in their game. AUDIENCE INQUIRY For general information on yoga: American Yoga Association, http://www.americanyogaassociation.org For information on golf: National Golf Foundation, http://www.ngf.org/cgi/home.asp United States Golf Association, http://www.usga.org/home/index.html BIBLIOGRAPHY Baptiste, Baron, and Kathleen Finn Mendola, "Yoga for Golfers," Yoga Journal, downloaded from website (http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/194_1.cfm), March 6, 2006. Barrett, Bruce, M.D., Ph.D., "Complementary and Alternative Medicine," Wisconsin Medical Journal, 2001, Vol. 100, No. 7, pp. 20-26. 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"Questions/ FAQ," Jupiter: National Golf Foundation, downloaded from website (http://www.ngf.org/cgi/home.asp), March 6, 2006. Rooney, Brenda, Ph.D., et al., "Provider Attitudes and Use of Alternative Medicine in a Midwestern Medical Practice in 2001," Wisconsin Medical Journal, 2001, Vol. 100, No. 7, pp. 27-31. Tracy, Mary, Ph.D., et al., "Use of Complementary and Alternative Therapies," American Journal of Critical Care, 2005, Vol. 14, pp. 404-415. Research compiled and edited by Barbara J. Fister