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