- Empty your chest
Emptying or hollowing the chest is the first key to developing rooting as it relaxes the upper body, freeing the neck, releasing the shoulders and emptying the lungs – you’ll find that exhaling deeply is a natural part of this process which releases pent up energy and tension.
- Drop your mind to your navel
Lowering your centre of awareness, by concentrating your mind at the navel, is a key focus in Tai Chi and extremely useful for your golf. As you gently focus on your navel, you will find that you start to breathe more deeply and this in turn sends increased oxygen along with your ‘feel-good’ chemical signals (endorphins) to your brain.
- Sink into the feet
Eastern philosophy tells us that your energy (Chi) follows your thinking, so if you focus on your feet you will feel more stable and rooted. As an additional aid to developing lower-body stability, think of the knees spiraling outwards while you are in the address position and throughout your swing.
