“Let’s Do the Twist” – Pilates Style
by Barbara Hoon
The Jersey Golfer Magazine- June 2007
Part 1 of the Pilates for Golf Series
Golf the sport you can both love and hate
Golf is a sport, a passion, an experience and for many of us, it is also be the greatest source of frustration known to man (or woman). However, that is a price we are willing to pay, if we have experienced one of those magical moments when everything is aligned just right and the ball rises majestically in the air finally settling a few feet from the hole.
In those moments, all the forces of our body just seem to flow naturally with the club and we are better golfers than we thought possible. Our energy, strength and flexibility are in one synchronous flow.
This ‘golf-body’ connection is possible for all of us
One of the hidden secrets of many of the world’s greatest pros is a set of proven exercises and techniques, called Pilates for Golf. Pilates can offer everyone greater conditioning, strength training, improved flexibility, reduced injuries, better cardiovascular endurance and best of all – better golf performance and reduced strokes.
While any conditioning and exercise programs take time and we all would benefit from hands-on professional instruction, over the next few issues, I would like to offer you six exercises, you can do at home or office, to tap at this hidden secret for yourself.
So let’s get started, I can feel the energy already!
Exercise: The Saw
Exercise One – “Saw” – I came (to the golf course), I saw and I conquered!
Set-up – Find yourself a small open space with a solid surface, like a hard wood floor.
Step 1. Sit on the floor with legs stretched out, loosely, and slightly wider than your hips. Extend your arms out to each side. (keep your hips stable, shoulders relaxed and down and your feet and legs slightly flexed with toes pointing up to the ceiling)
Step 2. Inhale (see, not so bad so far, huh?)
Step 3. Twist at your waist and move towards your right, taking your little finger from your left hand and moving across the little toe of your right foot. Stretch your right arm behind you at the same time.
Step 4. Exhale (it is probably good to read the whole exercise through, otherwise this breathing thing might be a challenge) and feel the stretch and twist back to the center
Step 5. Inhale and repeat exercise in reverse. This ‘sawing’ motion is where the name “Saw” comes from.
General instructions: Do four sets of right and left twists. Remember don’t push to the point of pain. Keep breathing through the exercise and if something feels uncomfortable – stop. Before starting any exercise program or if you have any medical condition which causes concern, consult your doctor.
Experts agree
Mark Yannotta, a renowned golf pro at David Glenz Golf Academy, has said this exercise is one of the most critical in his own strength and flexibility training and helps many of his students improve performance on the course or at the golf range.
An invitation
I invite anyone interested in a more formalized instruction or who have questions about Pilates for Golf to reach out to me directly- Barbara Hoon, Six Degrees of Wellness (973) 625-7665 or email me directly at six.degrees@sixdegrees06.com.
Barbara Hoon – Barbara is a certified Pilates for Golf instructor as well as owner of Six Degrees of Wellness, a pilates and wellness studio for men and women interested in non-traditional, hands-on guidance to realize the full potential of wellness, strength, and energy.
