Dan's Papers - February 22, 2008 - New Golf Clinics to Improve Your Swing

It's never too early to start thinking about how to perfect your swing on the golf course, so here's a way to get in shape for this summer.

Golf fitness expert Pamela Warshay, who trains golfers in both the Hamptons and at her Manhattan studio Sage Fitness, is offering two of the newest, cutting edge golf clinics around - Gyrokinesis Golf Warm-Up Clinic and Yoga For Golfers Clinic.

The gyrokinesis clinic is derived from the latest craze in golf exercises called "gyrotonics," which increases rotation, joint mobilization, strength and flexibility. Today, gyrotonic exercises are being used by PGA athletes and serious golfers to improve the natural forces of body alignment and address every component of the golf swing.

In the gyrokinesis clinic, golfers warm up their spines with twists and bends using their own body as resistance. Warshay also teaches golfers a 15-minute warm-up to help maintain the perfect swing.

"Through a series of specific golf-related exercises, they will gradually increase their range of motion, limber up their bodies, find their tight places and build strength, flexibility and range of motion in a safe, healthy way," said Warshay, who is currently one of a handful of certified instructors in the United States teaching gyrotonic applications for golfers. She founded Sage Fitness, located at 80 E 11th Street, in 1998, which is dedicated to quality gyrotonic and pilates programs.

Warshay, a former modern dancer, is also teaching a workshop called "Yoga For Golfers," which is based on Hatha Yoga. She teaches traditional yoga poses, but focuses on specific golf moves such as what is needed to hold the club properly. She also addresses spinal twisting exercises, leg strength and shoulder flexibility.

"The Yoga For Golfers Clinic teaches golfers how to clear and train their minds to stay focused on the moment, which is what the sport is all about," said Warshay, who seeks to bridge the gap between medical exercise and mind-body movement. "There is a Zen component to golf."

The two clinics will be available at local golf clubs in the Hamptons this summer with a schedule to be announced. They are currently being offered in Warshay's Manhattan studio, so golf fanatics can get a leg up on their competition by getting in shape over the winter and spring months.

"Right now, I have several Hamptons clients who are coming to my New York studio to start working on their golf swing," said Warshay. "People who take this sport seriously want every tip possible to get their best performance."

One client, Peter Vermylen of Quogue, said he noticed results after his first few visits last summer, when Warshay taught privately at Pilates By Hamptons Gym in East Hampton, where she plans to continue her instruction starting in June.

"Pam was the first person to introduce me to gyrotonic exercises. I found it helped relieve the stiffness in my back, restrictions in my spine and it significantly improved my overall flexibility over the ten week program," Vermylen said.