Meet Barbara Purcell, who's leading a FREE Yoga for Golfers Workshop later this month!

Yup, yoga. And though the idea of Yoga For Golfers struck us as slightly odd when we first heard it, as soon as we thought about it, we realized: brilliant! As certified yoga instructor and avid golfer Barbara Purcell explains below, golf is such a mind/body sport, and yoga is so good at honing both. 

The Waterside Plaza Swim and Health Club is pleased to announced that later this month, on Sunday, April 25, at 5:00 in the evening, Barbara will be leading a terrific one-hour Yoga for Golfers workshop, absolutely FREE for both members and non-members alike. Through an invigorating series of stretches, poses, and breathing exercises, Barbara's field-tested techniques will show you new ways to sharpen your game focus and enhance your swing. Barbara was kind enough to answer a few questions about herself and her free Yoga for Golfers workshop, here: 

1. "Yoga" and "golf" is an inspired combination... though we admit that they are not two things we naturally associate with one another. What first made you think to bring the two together?

Yoga and golf is a natural combination for those seeking to sharpen their focus and enhance their winning edge approach during the game. In yoga, we often incorporate the principle, drishti (Sanskrit for "gaze" or "insight") to draw our awareness inward and fully explore the movement, each pose, and the powerful breath when linking the two. That same connection (between breath and movement) can also be applied to executing a near-perfect golf swing while also increasing overall concentration in the process. The same way yoga teaches us to eliminate all distractions (both external and mental), a golfer may be able to achieve peak performance through his or her understanding of drishti.

2. How's your golf game these days? Any noticeable improvements out there since you've integrated the sport with your yoga practice?

I spend more time on my yoga mat than on the green these days, but two of my private yoga students - both avid golfers - have seen tremendous changes in their games, respectively. After just five classes, one of my students (A St. Andrews patron) declared that his game had markedly improved due to specific poses we'd explored in addition to a deeper awareness of breath and movement. The shoulder-openers, torso twists, hip stretches, and core strengtheners have all strengthened his posture and ROM (range of motion), but his relationship to mindful breathing has made the biggest impact. In yoga, breath work is called pranayama; prana is Sanskrit for "life force", which moves powerfully through the body when one is breathing deeply, feeling centered, and focused all at once. It is my pleasure to show my golfing yoga students the power behind certain breathing techniques coupled with specific stretches and yoga poses to improve their performance.

3. We love golfing but have never tried a yoga class before. Are you sure we'll be ok in the flexibility department? You won't embarrass us, will you?

Don't fret about not being able to touch your toes--yoga is way more about getting centered through breathing than balancing in a handstand on one pinkie finger. My Yoga For Golf workshop is designed to be informative and fun! Who knows? Maybe you'll even appreciate all the other various benefits (a stronger core, reduced back discomfort, and a clearer, calmer approach) that work well not only in the game of golf, but the game of life.  

Excellent. Thanks, Barbara. 

The FREE Yoga for Golf workshop will held on Sunday, April 25, from 5:00 until 6:00 p.m. at the Watersidde Plaza Swim and Health Club. Register now to save your spot in the class by calling 212-340-4225 or stopping by the Health Club today.   

Posted at 03:28PM Apr 13, 2010 by Scott in Events  |