Yoga for Golf® Podcast

Lauren McMillin
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Golf
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the Yoga for Golf® Podcast, where you'll learn how to move better, feel better, and ultimately play better golf. Hosted by Lauren McMillin, founder of YoGolf Performance®, this podcast blends yoga, Pilates, mobility, strength, and breathwork to help golfers improve flexibility, balance, rotation, and overall movement quality. Whether you're a recreational golfer, competitive player, or simply want to stay active and pain-free, each episode offers practical movement strategies you can use on and off the course. Expect solo episodes, short tutorials, and guest conversations focused on performance, injury prevention, longevity, and enjoying the game for years to come.

  1. Oct 8

    Hips Don't Lie: When Your Hips Don't Move, Something Else Has To

    Your hips play a huge role in how you rotate, create force, maintain balance, and move through the golf swing, but there's a lot more happening around the hip than simply being "tight" or "mobile." In this episode, we break down the anatomy of the hip, including the muscles, tendons, ligaments, labrum, and the deep six external rotators, and learn why the hips need both mobility and strength. We also explore common hip issues golfers may encounter, how limitations at the hip can influence movement elsewhere in the body, and how the subtle body plays a role in our movement experience. Because when it comes to your hips, there's usually more to the story than simply needing a better stretch. Show notes: Bourgain M, et al. "Golf Swing Biomechanics: A Systematic Review and Methodological Recommendations for Kinematics." Sports, 2022. This is probably your strongest golf-specific reference. The review found that hip movement during the swing is highly asymmetric, with different demands on the lead and trail hips, and discusses research linking limited lead-hip mobility with greater lumbar-spine contribution. Gulgin H, Armstrong C, Gribble P. "Hip Rotational Velocities During the Full Golf Swing." Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 2009. Particularly relevant to your discussion of lead versus trail hip demands. In collegiate female golfers, the lead hip experienced significantly greater peak internal-rotation velocity than the trail hip's external-rotation velocity during the downswing. StatPearls. "Anatomy, Bony Pelvis and Lower Limb, Hip." National Library of Medicine. A good reference for your basic anatomy section: femoral head and acetabulum, labrum, joint capsule, and the iliofemoral, pubofemoral, and ischiofemoral ligaments.  American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. "The Management of Osteoarthritis of the Hip." Useful support for the common-hip-issues section and the discussion of hip OA, stiffness, pain, cartilage, and joint structure. Mellor R, et al. "Education plus exercise versus corticosteroid injection use versus a wait and see approach…" The BMJ, 2018. Helpful for your discussion of lateral hip pain and gluteal tendinopathy. The paper also notes that what has historically been called "trochanteric bursitis" is frequently discussed within the broader context of gluteal tendinopathy/greater trochanteric pain syndrome. Garnsey CL, et al. "Changes in Body Awareness in Yoga Interventions: A Systematic Review." Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 2025. I like this one for supporting the more nuanced part of your subtle-body conversation. It doesn't claim that emotions are literally "stored" in tissues; rather, it reviews evidence around yoga and changes in body awareness/interoception, which fits the distinction you're making in the episode.

  2. Oct 1

    Treat the Golfer, Not Just the Injury with Dr. Kevin Dishon

    No two golfers move, practice, recover, or experience pain in exactly the same way, so why would they all follow the exact same program? In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Kevin Dishon, a doctor of physical therapy, certified strength and conditioning specialist, owner of The Golf DPT, and independent physio on the PGA Tour. Kevin explains why effective golf rehab, prehab, and performance training must begin with the individual. We discuss what makes a golf-specific physical therapy assessment different, the practice of listening to our golfers and meeting them where they are, and how golfers can safely progress from injury back to practice and play. Kevin also shares the similarities and differences between supporting Tour players and recreational golfers. Whether you're currently managing pain, returning from an injury, or simply want your body to better tolerate the demands of golf, this conversation will help you think beyond one-size-fits-all solutions. Show notes: Human Anatomy app The Golf DPT Connect with Kevin YoGolf Performance® (start your free trial!) Free Golf Mobility Guide Connect with me

  3. Sep 24

    Finding Your Swing Tempo: Why "Slow Down" Isn't the Whole Answer

    If you've ever hit a poor shot and immediately thought, "I got too quick," this episode is for you. We explore what swing tempo actually means and why it involves more than simply slowing down. Drawing from golf biomechanics and motor-learning research, we break down the differences between tempo, rhythm, and timing; look at the the commonly referenced 3:1 ratio; and examine how physical capacity, pressure, attention, and breathing may influence the way your swing is organized. You'll also learn why tempo alone cannot diagnose a swing fault and be guided through a simple exercise to explore which pace and rhythm feel most repeatable for you. Your best tempo isn't necessarily the slowest, or the one that looks like someone else's. It's the rhythm you can organize, repeat, and trust. Show notes:  YoGolf Performance® - start your free seven-day trial Free Golf Mobility Guide Contact me Jagacinski, R. J., Greenberg, N., & Liao, M. J. (1997). Tempo, rhythm, and aging in golf. Journal of Motor Behavior. Grober, R. D., & Cholewicki, J. (2008). Towards a biomechanical understanding of tempo in the golf swing. Sports Engineering. Bourgain, M., et al. (2022). Golf swing biomechanics: A systematic review and methodological recommendations for kinematics. Sports. Brennan, A., et al. (2024). Associations between physical characteristics and golf clubhead speed: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Wulf, G., et al. / Hegele, M., et al. (2024). Motor learning in golf—a systematic review. Cooke, A., et al. (2010). Psychological, muscular and kinematic factors mediate performance under pressure. Psychophysiology. Vine, S. J., et al. (2013). Perceived distance during golf putting: The effects of anxiety.

  4. Sep 17

    When the Swing Isn't the First Problem with Shaun Diachkoff

    When something isn't working in your golf swing, it's easy to assume you need another technical fix. But what if your body simply can't access, or control, the positions your swing requires? In this episode, we hear from Shaun Diachkoff, founder of Fairway Performance and a strength and conditioning coach. Drawing on his background in military aviation maintenance, Shaun brings a root-cause approach to golf performance: looking beyond the visible swing fault to understand what may be happening within the body. Together, we explore the relationship between mobility, stability, strength, and power; how golfers compensate for physical limitations; and why usable movement matters more than flexibility alone. We also discuss what everyday golfers can learn from elite players, where to begin if your swing feels stiff or inconsistent, and how even a short daily movement practice can support better performance on the course. Show notes: Fairway Performance YoGolf Performance® Free Golf Mobility Guide Contact me

  5. Sep 10

    Recovery Is Part of the Training: What Restorative Yoga Teaches Golfers

    What if recovery isn't simply what happens when training stops, but an important part of the training itself? In this episode of the Yoga for Golf® Podcast, we're exploring Restorative Yoga and what this quiet, supported practice can teach golfers about recovery, stress, and the ability to shift out of performance mode. We'll also unpack some of the science behind the autonomic nervous system, breathing, relaxation, and HRV, and why "rest and digest" is a little more complicated than flipping a switch. Most importantly, we'll bring it back to golf: how the physical and mental demands of playing, practicing, training, competing, and traveling add up, and why learning to intentionally reduce those demands can be a performance skill of its own. Because the work matters. And so does what happens after the work. Recovery is part of the training. Show notes: Relax and Renew: Restful Yoga for Stressful Time, Judith Hanson Lasater Restore and Rebalance: Yoga for Deep Relaxation, Judith Hanson Lasater Light on Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health, B.K.S. Iyengar Judith Hanson Lasater teachings and resources on Restorative Yoga Iyengar Yoga, resources on the use of props, supported postures, and the Iyengar tradition Research by Luciano Bernardi and colleagues on slow breathing and cardiovascular/autonomic responses Research by Andrea Zaccaro and colleagues on slow breathing, psychophysiological responses, and autonomic function Heart Rate Variability: Standards of Measurement, Physiological Interpretation, and Clinical Use, Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology and the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology Research by Andrew Flatt and colleagues on HRV and athletic training/recovery YoGolf Performance® Free Golf Mobility Guide Contact me

  6. Sep 3

    More Isn't Always Better: What Yin Yoga Teaches Golfers About Movement

    What if improving your golf game and your movement doesn't always require doing more? In this episode of the Yoga for Golf® Podcast, we're exploring Yin Yoga: a surprisingly modern style of yoga that challenges our relationship with effort, stillness, and progress. Because feeling "tight" doesn't automatically mean you need to stretch more. Sometimes you need mobility. Sometimes strength or stability. Sometimes movement. And sometimes, your body simply needs less. You'll learn why Yin Yoga encourages us to observe before reacting, why more intensity isn't automatically more effective, and how becoming more aware of what your body actually needs can make you a more intelligent mover and more resilient golfer. The big takeaway: Progress doesn't always require more effort. Sometimes the most valuable skill is learning when you've already done enough. Show notes: YoGolf Performance® Free Golf Mobility Guide Contact me Yin Yoga: Principles & Practices, Paul Grilley Insight Yoga, Sarah Powers The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga: The Philosophy and Practice of Yin Yoga, Bernie Clark YinSights, Bernie Clark Paul Grilley's Yin Yoga teachings Paulie Zink's Taoist Yoga teachings Fascia: The Tensional Network of the Human Body, Robert Schleip, Thomas Findley, Leon Chaitow & Peter Huijing Stretching Interventions: A Research Synthesis The Yoga Tradition, Georg Fueurstein Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Posture Practice, Mark Singleton

  7. Aug 27

    Arrive Ready to Play: A Guided Meditation for Golfers

    Before you step onto the first tee, take a few minutes to breathe, reset, and arrive in the present moment. In this guided meditation for golfers, we'll use the breath to release unnecessary tension, quiet some of the mental noise that can follow us onto the course, and create the conditions for greater concentration and focus—without forcing either one. You'll practice letting go of expectations, returning to the present after each shot, and using your breath as an anchor you can come back to throughout your round. Use this meditation before a casual round, tournament, practice session, or anytime you need to reconnect with a simple reminder: One breath. One shot. One swing. One moment at a time. Show notes: YoGolf Performance® (start your free trial!) Free Golf Mobility Guide Contact me

  8. Aug 23

    The Body Governs the Swing: Why Assessment Comes First with Lance Gill

    What if the swing problem you're trying to fix isn't really a swing problem at all? In this episode of the Yoga for Golf® Podcast, I'm joined by renowned golf performance educator Lance Gill to explore one of the most important principles in golf performance: the body governs the swing. Lance explains why assessment should come before instruction or training, how physical capabilities and limitations influence the way a golfer swings, and why simply chasing more mobility or flexibility isn't always the answer. We discuss the relationship between the body and the golf swing, what a quality movement assessment can reveal, common misconceptions about golf fitness, and how golfers can train with greater purpose instead of simply chasing symptoms. Whether you're a golfer, coach, fitness professional, or movement specialist, this conversation offers a deeper look at the why behind the swing — and why understanding the golfer in front of you should always come first. Show notes: lgperformance.com Follow Lance on Instagram Connect with Lance on Facebook Titleist Performance Institute (TPI)

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Trailer

About

Welcome to the Yoga for Golf® Podcast, where you'll learn how to move better, feel better, and ultimately play better golf. Hosted by Lauren McMillin, founder of YoGolf Performance®, this podcast blends yoga, Pilates, mobility, strength, and breathwork to help golfers improve flexibility, balance, rotation, and overall movement quality. Whether you're a recreational golfer, competitive player, or simply want to stay active and pain-free, each episode offers practical movement strategies you can use on and off the course. Expect solo episodes, short tutorials, and guest conversations focused on performance, injury prevention, longevity, and enjoying the game for years to come.

Information

  • Creator
    Lauren McMillin
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Yoga for Golf® Podcast

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