| Tiger Woods and other top pro golfers use a specific | | | | flat on the floor. |
| breathing method to relax their bodies for a fluid golf | | | | 2. Place one hand on your abdomen and one on your |
| swing. | | | | chest. |
| You can easily do the same thing. But first, let's do a | | | | 3. Slowly inhale through your nose. Try to imagine the |
| quick test to see where you currently stand. | | | | air going all the way down into your lower lungs |
| In just a moment, I want you to take a big, deep | | | | (abdominal area). It may help to imagine your |
| breath. | | | | abdomen as a balloon, and as you inhale, the balloon |
| And I want you to pay attention to what happens | | | | inflates. Do not try to force your abdomen outward; |
| to your chest and to your stomach as you do it. | | | | rather simply allow the air from your inhalation to |
| OK...do that now. | | | | expand it. |
| If you're like 95% of all golfers, then your chest | | | | 4. Stop the inhalation before the hand on your chest |
| probably expanded outward right away, while your | | | | begins to move. |
| stomach went inward toward your spine. | | | | 5. Hold your breath for 5 seconds. |
| If that's the case, then you actually took a very | | | | 6. Exhale slowly through your nose or mouth. Use |
| shallow breath, not a deep one. | | | | your hand to feel your "abdominal balloon" slowly |
| You would be classified as a "chest breather"! | | | | deflate, as your navel moves towards your spine. |
| Try not to panic. I am trained to alleviate you from | | | | Perform 10 or more repetitions. I recommend starting |
| this chronic condition. | | | | with this "abdomen only" phase, and sticking with it |
| Okay, but why should you care? | | | | until it feels relatively natural and easy. |
| Less than optimal breathing (chest breathing) can | | | | Phase 2: |
| cause: | | | | In actuality, the Phase 1 exercise was only a 2/3rds |
| - An increased rate of breathing | | | | breath. This is an improvement over the chest |
| - Increased tension in your neck muscles | | | | breathing, but still not quite optimal. Now we will |
| - Headaches | | | | integrate the upper 1/3rd of your breath capacity - |
| - Feelings of anxiety | | | | the upper chest area. |
| - Increased stress | | | | 1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet |
| - Increased sensation of pain | | | | flat on the floor. |
| - Fatigued, stiff muscles | | | | 2. Place one hand on your abdomen and one on your |
| - Restricted and stiff joints | | | | chest. |
| - Poor sleep patterns | | | | 3. Slowly inhale through your nose. Try to imagine the |
| - Poor circulation | | | | air going all the way down into your lower lungs |
| - Poor posture | | | | (abdominal area). It may help to imagine your |
| - Inefficient movement patterns | | | | abdomen as a balloon, and as you inhale, the balloon |
| Experiencing any of the above side effects means | | | | inflates. Do not try to force your abdomen outward; |
| your golf game will suck! Or at least it will not be up | | | | rather simply allow the air from your inhalation to |
| to its full potential. | | | | expand it. |
| On the other hand, proper breathing: | | | | 4. Instead of stopping the "inflation" at the upper |
| - Elicits a relaxation response | | | | abdomen area, allow the breath to continue into the |
| - Provides an optimal amount of oxygen to your | | | | upper lungs and cause the chest to rise. |
| body | | | | 5. Hold your breath for 5 seconds. |
| - Improves circulation | | | | 6. Exhale slowly through your nose or mouth. The |
| - Helps maintain a healthy musculature (including your | | | | order of "deflation" should be the opposite of the |
| back) | | | | "inflation" pattern. I.e. your chest hand should fall first, |
| Let me be very clear about this - | | | | and then your abdomen hand. |
| The manner in which you breathe will literally | | | | Now that is a full, optimal breath. |
| determine the physiology of your body - for better | | | | This may take a bit of practice, but it is well worth |
| or for worse. | | | | the time and effort. |
| Do you still think this breathing thing is a no-brainer? | | | | I would suggest spending five minutes in the morning, |
| The good news is that with a little practice and | | | | and again in the evening just prior to bed, mastering |
| awareness, you can reprogram your breathing | | | | this technique. Once this technique feels quite natural |
| techniques and reap the corresponding benefits. | | | | lying on the ground, integrate it into your standing |
| Optimal Breathing Exercise | | | | posture, for use on the course. |
| Phase 1: | | | | Now go get em, Tiger! |
| 1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet | | | | |