48 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | SPRING 2022
HIP
OPENER It’s all in the hips. Being able to use the
hips appropriately is not only important for
maintaining posture but also generating more
power in your golf swing. When you extend
an e your legs n the h oener ose you
are activating the hips and leg muscles so that
you can swing freely with increased speed and
power. The Hip Opener also protects your
lower body joints and, with practice, decreases
pain in your knees and hips. Practicing the Hip
Opener creates more consistent stability in
your stance.
1. The hip opener is a challenging standing
pose. Standing tall, using a club for balance
in your right hand, tighten your glutes
and pull in the core. Bend the left knee
placing the left ankle on top the right knee.
2. Push the glutes back, pull the core in and
start to bend the right knee. Look down
and ensure you can see your whole standing
foot in front of you.
3 . For the full Hip Opener pose, bend the
right knee even further. Stick the glutes out
more, pull in the core and sit back for a
deeper stretch. Move the hips back, further
bending the right knee deeper, possibly
coming down into more of a squat position.
To release the pose, press the foot off the knee
and come back to a standing position. Make
sure all poses are performed equally on both
sides.
Poses demonstrated by Shawn Hays, Cuscowilla Men’s Golf Association.