Yoga Retreats And Golf - Strange Bedmates Or Not? by Rebecca Prescott

In the same way that golf is becoming more open to women players, yoga is beginning to be more appealing and acceptable for men. The discovery that certain yoga postures are an excellent way to improve your golf swing, has led to the formation of retreats that combine yoga classes with access to a high quality golf course, to create the perfect relaxing holiday.

So can yoga really help your game? Top golfers such as Jesper Parnevick certainly believe so, and he should know as he uses yoga as part of his regular exercise regime. As well as improving your general physique, the frame of mind created by yoga, which is calm and concentrated, is perfect for a good game of golf.

One of the things a golf focused yoga course will concentrate on is controlling your breathing. The pressure and competitiveness of a golf game can cause erratic breathing, which makes playing much more difficult. Being able to release all negative thoughts and feelings using yoga techniques will allow you to be focused on the game without any destructive tension.

Physically there are many ways yoga can help your golf game. Initial courses will concentrate of increasing flexibility as a huge proportion of golfers are actually not flexible enough to achieve a really effective swing. As your proficiency in yoga increases, you will become more aware of what your whole body is doing during your swing.

There are various poses used in yoga programs aimed at golfers, and as well as flexibility, these focus on balance and correcting the posture. The repetitive nature of the golf swing can lead to a body imbalance that yoga can easily correct.

The cat pose is often used for golfers to work their spinal muscles, to increase flexibility and range of motion, and to develop a balanced stance. In addition golf programs usually include warrior poses which also work on a maintaining solid stance, whilst increasing rotation and extension capabilities at the same time.

Other postures used in golf specific yoga include the extended table pose and twisted straddle prose. The extended table will help you to keep your back straight, reducing back ache during a long game. The twisting straddle will increase a golfer's range of motion as well as improving their hamstring flexibility.

So if you are a golfer looking for the ultimate holiday where you can relax and balance your body and mind, whilst working on your golf swing, a golf and yoga retreat may be just the thing for you. Most packages include accommodation, course fees and daily yoga classes specially tailored to meet your golfing needs.

Author Resource: For more information on what you can expect at a yoga retreat center, click here. Rebecca presents information on ashtanga and other forms of yoga here.

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