Best Yoga Poses For Golfers

By Steve Silverman

golf ball teed up at the driving range
On first glance, it would seem like yoga and golf have little in common. However, to play your best golf, you should be loose, relaxed and have a free mental spirit. Yoga can help the golfer with all of these. There are several yoga poses that are very beneficial to golfers, and this exercise regimen is becoming quite popular among many golfers.

Standing Bench Twist

Place a bench against the wall. Stand parallel to the wall and place the foot that is closest to the wall on top of the bench. Place that thigh against the wall so that your hips are stable. Inhale and lengthen your spine. Exhale and turn your core to the wall. Hold for 45 seconds, and then do the opposite side. This pose will help your torso, chest and hips.

Lunge

Start off on your hands and knees and move your left foot forward so it is between your hands, your left shin perpendicular to the floor. Press the heel of your right foot down so that your toes are on top of the floor. Draw your hips forward and your right thigh should drop to the floor. Hold for 45 seconds and then switch sides. This pose will help your hips and your balance.

Tree Pose

Stand and place your feet together. Put your weight on your left foot and bend your right knee. Put the heel of your right foot on your left thigh and push your hips out. Raise your arms over your head. Keep this pose for 25 seconds and then repeat on the other side. This pose will help your balance.

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About the Author

Steve Silverman is an award-winning writer, covering sports since 1980. Silverman authored The Minnesota Vikings: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Who's Better, Who's Best in Football -- The Top 60 Players of All-Time, among others, and placed in the Pro Football Writers of America awards three times. Silverman holds a Master of Science in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism.