Fitness Thoughts
While reading more and more about muscles and its ability to retain memories, this disturbing thought appeared from nowhere. 'What if I do not have some of these muscles special to golf?’ I am sure we all know a few who are blissfully ignorant that they have no sense of taal (rhythm) and go be-sur (off pitch) but insist on singing! It is a source of amusement for some but a terrible embarrassment to their near ones. There are days when this feeling of being clueless in golf and becoming a source of embarrassment to my golf group does surface! Luckily these moments are fleeting!
We hope that nature did not indeed deny us these muscles and we look for ways to enhance its performance. Fortunately for us, there are a bunch of fitness gurus who advise you on how to improve your posture, flexibility and most important of all, the core strength. I understand that there was a time before 'tiger' when fitness was not so essential for playing golf! What a pity that times have changed! Drinking beer after a game is no more the unmixed fun it used to be!
While looking at the many types of excercises available, I was thrilled to see India also contributing to the golf scene. There are teachers who teach 'golf yoga'. That was reassuring to me as I used to do yoga in India and all I have to do now is to restart! The other day I watched young Villegas lay practically flat, like he was prostrating in front of the hole before putting, praying that the ball went in. This is what we do to propiate our gods and to seek their blessing.
It was also like a yogic posture as he was keeping a gap between his chest and the greens. I believe the gap is required to comply with the rules of golf that forbade a player from lying flat on the green to read it. After watching his performance, I even wondered whether doing a yogic head stand (Shirasasana) would help as the eyes would be the closest to the green and we could get a totally different and close up view of the greens. I suppose we would be allowed to do it on the first cut!
Joking apart, I feel I should give a note of caution for those taking up Yoga. There is a method known as the Kundalini yoga. It is rather complex and esoteric. In case you are able to raise the Kundalini through various levels you may experience a sudden release of energy and those not properly trained may not be able to handle it!
I know this from experience! I was reading about it the previous night to my game and must have been subconsciously practicing it out on the course the next day. While on a par 5, I guessed that I was at a distance right for a 5 iron approach shot to the green and took a swing. I was amazed to see my ball practically shooting off my club and go zooming very much beyond the greens and through a small gap in the fence. It hit the windshield of a moving 3 wheeler. I was lucky that I did not hit the driver and was happy to pay for the broken wind shield. This happened in my home town Bangalore! I remember that while young we were always reminded by our grandmother to offer our prayers before venturing out. I am sure some one at the driver's home must have reminded him as well on that day.
We hope that nature did not indeed deny us these muscles and we look for ways to enhance its performance. Fortunately for us, there are a bunch of fitness gurus who advise you on how to improve your posture, flexibility and most important of all, the core strength. I understand that there was a time before 'tiger' when fitness was not so essential for playing golf! What a pity that times have changed! Drinking beer after a game is no more the unmixed fun it used to be!
While looking at the many types of excercises available, I was thrilled to see India also contributing to the golf scene. There are teachers who teach 'golf yoga'. That was reassuring to me as I used to do yoga in India and all I have to do now is to restart! The other day I watched young Villegas lay practically flat, like he was prostrating in front of the hole before putting, praying that the ball went in. This is what we do to propiate our gods and to seek their blessing.
It was also like a yogic posture as he was keeping a gap between his chest and the greens. I believe the gap is required to comply with the rules of golf that forbade a player from lying flat on the green to read it. After watching his performance, I even wondered whether doing a yogic head stand (Shirasasana) would help as the eyes would be the closest to the green and we could get a totally different and close up view of the greens. I suppose we would be allowed to do it on the first cut!
Joking apart, I feel I should give a note of caution for those taking up Yoga. There is a method known as the Kundalini yoga. It is rather complex and esoteric. In case you are able to raise the Kundalini through various levels you may experience a sudden release of energy and those not properly trained may not be able to handle it!
I know this from experience! I was reading about it the previous night to my game and must have been subconsciously practicing it out on the course the next day. While on a par 5, I guessed that I was at a distance right for a 5 iron approach shot to the green and took a swing. I was amazed to see my ball practically shooting off my club and go zooming very much beyond the greens and through a small gap in the fence. It hit the windshield of a moving 3 wheeler. I was lucky that I did not hit the driver and was happy to pay for the broken wind shield. This happened in my home town Bangalore! I remember that while young we were always reminded by our grandmother to offer our prayers before venturing out. I am sure some one at the driver's home must have reminded him as well on that day.
Labels: Golf 'Oriental'
posted by Doreswamy Srinidhi at
4:13 AM
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