Yoga for golfers: Move those hips!

By Katherine Roberts,
Contributor

The inner-thigh, adductors and groin region often lack flexibility. This is particularly true for men. Flexibility and stability in this area of the body will support proper alignment in the hip and pelvic region during the golf swing. Your PGA Professional may ask you to perform certain movements with your hips that require keen body awareness. These three Yoga for Golfers poses will focus on your hips and groin, allowing you to execute your pro's suggestions.

If you are not sure of your flexibility, try this test. Sit with your back against the wall. Then bring the soles of your feet together and as close as possible to your groin. Mentally measure the distance from your knees to the floor. I guarantee that you will see improvement in that measurement very quickly if you perform the following poses. As you gain flexibility, you will gain power in your swing because you're using your hips.

Tip: In this series of Yoga For Golfers poses you have two options for approaching the pose - actively or passively. Actively refers to utilizing muscular strength, which means pressing the part of the body you are working into the floor. Passively working the pose refers to allowing the body to sink into the pose, which means releasing tension in the boy with every exhalation. My suggestion is to alternate your passive and active approach to the poses every day. Notice the difference in the results.

Bound Angle Pose

As with the test described above, bring your soles together, with your feet as close as possible to your groin. For this pose, place your back flat against the wall. In this photo, I am supporting Andy as a wall would. Gently draw your navel toward your spine and lift your rib cage. With shoulders rolled back, gently press your knees toward the floor. Hold this pose while breathing in 10 times.

Hand to Foot pose

Lie on your back and place a strap or belt around your right foot. It is important that your right leg be fully extended, with no bend at the knee. Keep your left knee bent, foot on the floor. While keeping the left hip ON THE FLOOR, bring the right leg out to the right, feeling the stretch in the adductors and groin. Hold for five to seven breaths and then switch sides.

Hand to foot pose - folding forward

While seated, bring your right foot to the inside of your left inner thigh. Place the strap around your left foot and fold forward. Hold for five breaths and switch sides.

Katherine Roberts and her highly successful Yoga for Golfers program, five instructional videos/DVD and, book have been featured in USA Today, Sports Illustrated, Golf Magazine, Self Magazine, Golf for Women, Athlon Golf, Affluent Golfer Magazine and numerous other media. She is a member of Golf Magazine's fitness panel. Katherine can often be seen on The Golf Channel.