GOLFERS are almost twice as likely to experience back injury as those who pursue other sports. Ailon Freedman, a yoga instructor, runs workshops with Glenn Collins to address this problem. Collins, a PGA professional, suffered a sciatic nerve impingement a few years ago, forcing him to give up golf altogether.

He turned to yoga to correct physical imbalances that had developed as a result of swinging a golf club many hundreds of times, and soon realised that it could help other golfers.

Freedman and Collins split their sessions at the Knightsbridge golf club in London into five areas — flexibility, consistency, sensitivity, nerves and conditioning — which they believe can improve the power of the swing.

EXERCISE: The hip stretcher (for the hips, gluteals and hamstrings). Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet on the floor. Place the right ankle on the left thigh, just above the knee, and your right arm between your legs. Your left arm should be outside the left leg. Now try to clasp your hands together on the front of your left knee. If this is too hard, hold the hands around the back of the left thigh. Keep your head on the floor and, as you breathe deeply, slowly draw your left knee closer towards you to intensify the stretch on the right hip. After 60 seconds, release carefully and repeat on the other side.

• Exercise provided by Ailon Freedman, of The Lotus Exchange, who offers golf-specific yoga clinics within clubs. For information e-mail: golf@lotus-exchange.com or call 020-7463 2234

  Ensure that you have the consent of your GP before embarking on a new exercise regime and do not undertake any physical activity if you are feeling unwell or recovering from an injury

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