Virginia Golfer Jul / Aug 2016 | Page 38

Fit for Play Namaste Why yoga is for golfers (and 4 poses to get started) by DAVE POND F OF SOUND BODY AND MIND For the uninitiated, ancient yoga is an allinclusive practice that dates back to the fifth or sixth century BC. It has eight different focuses that involve the mind, body and spirit in a journey toward enlightenment. “Today, yoga’s been modernized, and the goal is more one of ultimate fitness and integration of mind, body and spirit while maintaining an active lifestyle,” deLorimier said. “Meditation and visualization come together to guide toward better performance.” deLorimier came to golf later in life but, as a longtime yoga practitioner, began to see the benefits of yoga both on her swing and in her mental approach to the game. So, she traveled to Arizona to pursue YFG certification under Katherine Roberts, a heralded innovator, teacher and trainer in the world of golf fitness. “At the most basic level, golf and yoga are the same—the intentional and dynamic movement of the body in three planes of motion: the frontal plane (side to side), 36 the sagittal plane (flexion and extension front to back), and the transverse plane (rotation),” said Roberts, a former co-host of Golf Channel’s televised competition The Big Break. “YFG’s proprietary methodology instructs and trains golfers on the biomechanics of the body specifically as it relates to each plane of motion through each stage of the golf swing—from the address to the finish position, from the first tee to the 18th green.” AN ATTRACTIVE AMENITY As of today, deLorimier is one of just two YFG-certified instructors in Virginia, along with Joanne Lappin Parker, who teaches at VSGA member club Cavalier Golf & Yacht Club in Virginia Beach. But, with all of yo- V I R G I N I A G O L F E R | J U LY /A U G U ST 2 0 1 6 ga’s benefits, deLorimier said there’s no reason other courses can’t follow suit. “Golf fitness programs are becoming more popular than ever,” deLorimier said. “By including yoga and other golf-focused fitness classes, your course will become more appealing to golfers, simply because you’re providing them with every opportunity to improve their game, and their physical well-being, too. “Plus, it’s a great way to differentiate your course from others that aren’t offering such amenities.” Since your home course might not offer Yoga for Golfers classes, here are four yoga poses deLorimier recommends. Each pose is simple enough for beginners, but can be modified to challenge higher-level participants. Namaste. vsga.org ILLUSTRATIONS BY ARTHUR MOUNT or the most part, golfers prefer to avoid anything with the word “tree” in it. However, traditional yoga poses like Tree (along with myriad others), can help golfers of all levels improve mental focus, increase flexibility and even keep you playing longer, said Connie deLorimier, a Yoga for Golfers (YFG) Level II trainer who leads a number of classes at Alexandria’s Pinecrest Golf Course, a VSGA member club. “Yoga for golfers uses specific poses and movements to condition the body for performing the golf swing,” deLorimier said. “It builds strength and endurance as you hold the poses, and improves flexibility, balance and posture with proper alignment. “Yoga increases your ability to clear your mind and mentally focus and—when the round is over—provides you with the ability to recover quickly.”