| The game of golf can be like a meditative | | | | stretched, a position our hamstrings do not typically |
| experience. The vast blue sky and uninterrupted | | | | experience. |
| greens and trees encourage a oneness with nature. | | | | The upper hamstrings are attached to the bottom of |
| And then there is the hushed silence and | | | | our pelvic bones, aptly referred to as our "sits" |
| concentration required as the player executes their | | | | bones. As mentioned earlier, short, inflexible |
| swing from start to finish. Unfortunately, one barrier | | | | hamstrings can also lead to hip pain, and through a |
| to the strong and smooth follow-through of that | | | | chain reaction in our bodies, contribute to lower back |
| swing is tight hamstrings. Just as in seated meditation, | | | | pain, another common issue for golfers (well, almost |
| tight hamstrings will break one's concentration! | | | | everyone!). The strong and flexible action of your |
| Yoga exercises that stretch and strengthen muscles | | | | hips and lower back are an essential ingredient for |
| specifically improve the health of the shoulder, leg, | | | | integrated action of the golf swing. Keying in on |
| core and arms. For now, let's focus on the role of | | | | hamstring flexibility will improve that action. |
| the hamstrings as applied to golf, particularly on | | | | Achieving Hamstring Flexibility |
| hamstring flexibility. | | | | Steady practice of simple hamstring stretches to |
| Hamstrings | | | | increase flexibility is a must for most golfers. It is |
| The primary work of the three muscles that | | | | always preferred to stretch every day, for 5-10 |
| comprise the hamstrings is to flex (bend) the knee, | | | | minutes, than to expect results as a "weekend |
| and extend the hip joint. The hamstrings, located in | | | | warrior". |
| the back of the thigh, are also involved in internal as | | | | Reclined leg stretches are a tried and true method of |
| well as external rotation of the leg. Flexibility in the | | | | opening the hamstrings as well as increasing strength |
| hamstrings will provide you improved range of motion | | | | and flexibility of the hips. A yoga strap, or even a |
| in the hips. Therefore tightness in this area will limit | | | | men's necktie can be used to increase the sensation |
| your range of motion while executing all three phases | | | | of stretch. |
| of the golf swing: back, forward and follow-through. | | | | The famous downward facing dog pose can be |
| Westerners spend an inordinate amount of our time | | | | practiced with hands on the floor or the wall. Down |
| sitting. As we eat meals, in school from first grade | | | | dog stretches the hamstrings and also provides a |
| throughout school, driving or riding in cars, and most | | | | wonderful release in the spine. You can use a |
| likely at work time-our primary posture is seated. | | | | beginners yoga DVD to learn simple poses like this to |
| Consequently our hamstrings are shortened and | | | | increase your flexibility. Self massage will also provide |
| inactive in chairs. Try this: loop a rubber band around | | | | a release of lingering tightness in the back or |
| your thumb and first fingers. Picture the rubber band | | | | hamstrings. |
| as your hamstrings. When those fingers are bent (like | | | | Increase your hamstring flexibility for a multitude of |
| our knees), the rubber band is lax and limp. When | | | | benefits on the golf course! |
| you straighten the fingers, the rubberband is | | | | |