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I am writing
this from my hotel in Toronto, where I am attending a
national meeting of Provincial Coaches. This article was
inspired by a talk by Dana Sinclair phd., a Sports
Psychologist who works a lot with the Royal Canadian Golf
Association and the National Teams.
When we are playing well, there is no need to change a
thing. But when we are struggling with our game, a trigger
to get back to good golf is needed.
The simpler, the better; try this exercise: Look at your
watch, and note the time. For the next minute, count your
breaths. Do not force it, just normal breathing. (If you
loose track, refocus and start over).
When finished, take a breath and this time let all the air
out. When you think it’s all out, let even a bit more out.
Do it again, breathing in down deep, through your diaphragm.
Again, let it all out.
Now again, count your breaths for a minute, using this
deeper breathing method. Note how you feel after finishing
the exercise. Shoulders more relaxed? Feeling generally more
well being? This is your optimal breathing rate for lowering
tension levels.
Oxygen does wonders for the brain; when stressed we forget
to breathe. This exercise is also described in Zen Golf by
Dr. Joe Parent. It is one you might want to practice daily,
because when the time comes and you are called to the first
tee in an important event, or have a tough shot over water
to break 90 for the first time, there is a tool to help you
regroup.
Simple, effective, and powerful; but it takes daily
practice. Don’t expect to do it this once, and forget about
it until needed. To have a bountiful garden, you need to
work the soil! |
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