Why breathing is more important than you think

I’VE heard all about that breathing stuff before!’ is a phrase that I have come across countless times over the past few years working with players at all levels of the game. Yet age-old traditions such as Yoga – increasingly popular these days – and the Martial Arts seem to have heard all about that breathing stuff for a few thousand years yet still appear to give it paramount importance!

In Hawaii the ancient discipline of Huna has as its central theme the importance of the breath. The story is that in Hawaii they look at the only difference between someone who is alive and well and someone who has just passed away is the absence of the breath. They believe firmly that the breath is the ‘life force’.

All well and good you might say but what on earth can that do to help my golf game I can hear you say. Well in a short article it would be difficult to list all of the benefits to your game as they are too numerous.

But Northern Ireland tour player Graeme McDowell, with whom I have worked with over a five-year period, has a complete understanding of how vital correct breathing plays in terms of his own personal routines. Graeme is one of Europe’s most naturally talented players having competed in the Walker Cup while a leading amateur and then enjoyed a successful college career in America.

The man from Portrush is now moving steadily up the world rankings as he starts to realise his huge potential. One of the keys Graeme believes is vital for his game is a very CLEAR mental image of the shot he is about to hit. When the mind is jumpy and a variety of different thoughts are bombarding your brain it is very tough to have a clear image of the shot you intend.

However as part of Graeme’s system he will take a full and complete breath BEFORE he attempts to see the shot he is about to hit. This breath has the effect of clearing the mind and allowing the clear image to emerge as a result of mental calmness.

The other great aspect to focusing on your breathing is that you gain the benefit of actually being in the place that all the mind guru’s recommend …the PRESENT MOMENT. If you consider that your mind can do time travel…What were you doing yesterday?...What will you be eating for dinner tonight?

Always the mind is hopping backwards and forwards between the past and the future. However, unless you have some knowledge that I don’t your body CANNOT do time travel.

Any time that you are FOCUSED on your body i.e. your breathing, you are well and truly anchoring yourself to the present moment and you can then focus on the task at hand. The challenge that you have with focusing on your breathing is that you can easily miss the point and the effectiveness because it appears so simple.

Yet I promise you that if your brain is scrambled on the course and nerves are hitting you, your breathing patterns will be all over the place. The quickest way to change how we feel is through the body and by placing your attention on, and becoming aware of, your breathing patterns you can control your physical and mental state out on the course.

I have found that different breathing patterns can be used for certain situations or parts of your on course routines.
Begin by simply placing your attention on your breathing as you start your shot routine. Just take a moment to actually focus on a full and complete breath.

As ridiculously simple as this sounds the discipline to do this on each and every shot is a real challenge. You will notice your tendency to rush, your varying tension levels and your ability to see the shot at hand by placing your attention in the present moment on your breathing.

Set yourself the challenge to do this on EVERY shot. It sounds easy but let me know if you manage a FULL HOUSE the first time that you try it because you would be pretty unique – very few people have the mental discipline to carry this through.
Stick with the process and the benefit to your game will be profound.

** DO you wish to gain an ‘in depth’ knowledge of the ‘secrets’ of Sports Psychology? As a coach or player what would it be like to have four days of learning and then gain a Diploma in Sports Psychology?

Dr Karl Morris will host the four-day training in central Manchester between November 24 and 27. Call 01925 764053 or visit www.golf-brain.com for details.