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. 1d ago

    Play with More Confidence: Understanding the Rules of Golf with BrookeLin Powers

    How well do you really know the Rules of Golf? Whether you're brand new to the game or have been playing for years, the rules can sometimes feel overwhelming. In this episode, I'm joined by LPGA Class A Professional, TPI Certified instructor, and author BrookeLin Powers to break down the Rules of Golf in a way that's practical, approachable, and easy to understand. We talk about why so many golfers find the rules intimidating, the most common misconceptions recreational golfers make, the rules every golfer should know before heading to the first tee, and how understanding the rules can actually help you play with more confidence and enjoy the game even more. Whether you've ever wondered about lost balls, relief options, penalty areas, or simply want to feel more confident on the course, this conversation will help take the mystery out of the Rules of Golf. Show notes: Where's the Golf Ball? The Rules of Golf Simplified from Tee to Green brookelinpowers.com Use code YOGAFORGOLF for free shipping on BrookeLin's website! Connect with BrookeLin on Instagram Connect with BrookeLin on Facebook The Rules of Golf (R&A) YoGolf Performance® (start your free trial!) Free Golf Mobility Guide Contact me

  2. Jul 30

    Why the Transition Matters: What Vinyasa Yoga Teaches Golfers About Better Movement

    What if better movement isn't about finding the perfect position—but about learning how to move between positions more efficiently? In this episode of the Yoga for Golf® Podcast, we're exploring Vinyasa Yoga: one of the most popular styles of yoga in the world and one of the most misunderstood. You'll learn how Vinyasa evolved from Ashtanga Yoga, why no two Vinyasa classes are exactly alike, and what the word vinyasa really means. We'll explore how breath and movement work together, why intentional sequencing matters, and how a well-designed practice can improve coordination, rhythm, and body awareness. Then we'll connect those principles directly to the golf swing. Because great golf isn't played by holding positions—it's created through smooth, connected movement between them. Whether you're new to yoga or already have a regular practice, this episode will help you see movement through a completely different lens. Show notes: The Heart of Yoga — T.K.V. Desikachar Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Posture Practice — Mark Singleton The Story of Yoga: From Ancient India to the Modern West — Alistair Shearer The Yoga Tradition — Georg Feuerstein The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (translation by Edwin Bryant or Chip Hartranft) Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor Shiva Rea Baron Baptiste Bryan Kest Seane Corn Jason Crandell YoGolf Performance® Free Golf Mobility Guide Contact me

  3. Jul 23

    Consistency Creates Freedom: What Ashtanga Yoga Teaches Golfers About Practice

    What if doing the same thing every day wasn't limiting—but liberating? In this episode, we continue our series exploring the different styles of yoga with a deep dive into Ashtanga Yoga, a practice built on consistency, discipline, and repetition. You'll learn about the life and teachings of K. Pattabhi Jois, the origins of the Ashtanga tradition, the difference between Ashtanga Yoga and Patanjali's Eight Limbs of Yoga, and what it's actually like to step into an Ashtanga practice. Most importantly, we'll explore one of the biggest lessons Ashtanga has to offer: that mastery isn't built by constantly searching for something new. Instead, it often comes from returning to the fundamentals with curiosity, patience, and attention. Whether you're a golfer looking to improve your practice habits or simply curious about one of the world's most influential styles of yoga, this episode will challenge the way you think about repetition—and why consistency creates freedom. Show notes: Yoga Mala — K. Pattabhi Jois Guruji: A Portrait of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Through the Eyes of His Students — Eddie Stern The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice — Georg Feuerstein The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice — T.K.V. Desikachar Krishnamacharya: His Life and Teachings — A.G. Mohan Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Posture Practice — Mark Singleton A History of Modern Yoga: Patanjali and Western Esotericism — Elizabeth De Michelis The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (for understanding the Eight Limbs of Yoga) YoGolf Performance® Free Golf Mobility Guide Contact me

  4. Jul 16

    The Alignment Myth: What Iyengar Yoga Teaches Golfers About Better Movement

    What if alignment isn't about making every body move the same? In this episode, we continue our series exploring the different styles of yoga with a deep dive into Iyengar Yoga—a practice known for its emphasis on precision, alignment, and intentional movement. You'll learn about the life and legacy of B.K.S. Iyengar, what makes this style unique, why props are some of the most misunderstood tools in yoga, and what an Iyengar class is actually like. Most importantly, we'll challenge one of the biggest misconceptions in both yoga and golf: that there's one "perfect" way to move. Whether you're on a yoga mat or standing over a golf ball, the goal isn't perfection—it's learning to move intelligently within the body you have. If you're looking to improve body awareness, movement quality, and your understanding of how yoga can support your golf game, this episode is for you. Show notes: Light on Yoga — B.K.S. Iyengar Light on Life — B.K.S. Iyengar The Tree of Yoga — B.K.S. Iyengar Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali — B.K.S. Iyengar The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice — T.K.V. Desikachar Yoga Makaranda — Tirumalai Krishnamacharya Krishnamacharya: His Life and Teachings — A.G. Mohan Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Posture Practice — Mark Singleton A History of Modern Yoga: Patanjali and Western Esotericism — Elizabeth De Michelis The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice — Georg Feuerstein YoGolf Performance® Free Golf Mobility Guide Contact me

  5. Jul 9

    The Birth of Modern Yoga: How Hatha Yoga Changed the Way We Move

    What exactly is yoga—and why are there so many different styles? In this episode, we continue our journey through the history of yoga by exploring the teacher who helped shape modern yoga as we know it: Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, often called the "Father of Modern Yoga." We'll also dive into Hatha Yoga, one of the foundational styles behind many modern yoga practices. You'll learn where Hatha came from, how it evolved, what to expect in a Hatha class, and why slowing down can actually help you develop greater body awareness, balance, and control. For golfers, this awareness is everything. Understanding how your body moves—and learning to move with more intention—can help you build a stronger foundation for performance on and off the course. Whether you're new to yoga, someone who has said "I tried yoga once and it wasn't for me," or a golfer looking to move better, this episode will help you understand why yoga is so much more than stretching. In upcoming episodes, we'll continue exploring different styles of yoga, including Iyengar, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Yin, and more. Show notes: Yoga Body: The Origins of Modern Posture Practice — Mark Singleton The Yoga Tradition: Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice — Georg Feuerstein The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice — T.K.V. Desikachar Yoga Makaranda — Tirumalai Krishnamacharya The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali — Patanjali Hatha Yoga Pradipika — Swami Svatmarama YoGolf Performance® Golf Mobility Guide Contact me

  6. Jul 2

    You Don't Hate Yoga—You Probably Just Took the Wrong Class

    Think yoga isn't for you? Before you write it off, ask yourself one question: What kind of yoga did you actually try? In this episode, we're exploring what yoga really is—and what it isn't. We'll unpack some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding yoga, including whether it's just stretching, whether you have to be flexible, and whether practicing yoga means participating in a religion. You'll also learn how yoga has evolved over thousands of years, how it made its way from India to the West, and why the yoga practiced in most studios today looks very different from its ancient roots. Whether you're a golfer who's curious about yoga or someone who's tried one class and decided it wasn't for you, this episode will give you a new perspective and lay the foundation for the rest of the series. Show notes: YoGolf Performance® Golf Mobility Guide Contact me

  7. Jun 25

    Recovery Is Training: The Missing Link in Your Golf Performance

    Most golfers focus on practice, swing mechanics, strength, and mobility… but overlook one of the most important parts of performance: recovery. In this episode, we reframe recovery not as rest, but as an active and essential part of your golf performance system. Because improvement doesn't actually happen during practice or play — it happens afterward, when your body has time to adapt. You'll learn how recovery impacts mobility, rotation, coordination, focus, and consistency on the course, and why feeling stiff, tight, or inconsistent is often less about technique and more about under-recovery. We also break down what real recovery actually looks like — including sleep, walking, nervous system regulation, restorative yoga, foam rolling, nature exposure, warm water immersion, and social connection — all supported by research in exercise physiology, neuroscience, and sports science. Most importantly, you'll walk away with a clearer understanding that recovery isn't optional or passive. It's a performance tool. If you've ever felt like your swing doesn't quite "show up," this episode will help you understand why — and what to do about it. Show notes: Recovery sequences Sleep support sequences YoGolf Performance® Golf Mobility Guide Contact me Fullagar, H. H. K., Skorski, S., Duffield, R., Hammes, D., Coutts, A. J., & Meyer, T. (2015). Sleep and athletic performance: The effects of sleep loss on exercise performance, and physiological and cognitive responses to exercise. Sports Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0318-9 Dupuy, O., Douzi, W., Theurot, D., Bosquet, L., & Dugué, B. (2018). An evidence-based approach for choosing post-exercise recovery techniques to reduce markers of muscle damage, soreness, fatigue, and inflammation: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Frontiers in Physiology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2018.00403 Woodyard, C. (2011). Exploring the therapeutic effects of yoga and its ability to increase quality of life. International Journal of Yoga. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-6131.85485 Cheatham, S. W., Kolber, M. J., Cain, M., & Lee, M. (2015). The effects of self-myofascial release using a foam roll or roller massager on joint range of motion, muscle recovery, and performance: A systematic review. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. Vaile, J., Halson, S., Gill, N., & Dawson, B. (2008). Effect of hydrotherapy on recovery from fatigue. Journal of Sports Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410701716784 Bratman, G. N., Hamilton, J. P., Hahn, K. S., Daily, G. C., & Gross, J. J. (2015). Nature experience reduces rumination and subgenual prefrontal cortex activation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1510459112 Coan, J. A., Schaefer, H. S., & Davidson, R. J. (2006). Lending a hand: Social regulation of the neural response to threat. Psychological Science. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2006.01744.x

  8. Jun 18

    5 Minutes to a Better Swing: A Guided Pre-Round Warm-Up

    Do you ever find yourself with only five minutes to prepare for a round of golf? In this guided episode, I'll walk you through a simple yet effective movement routine designed to help you move better, swing more freely, and step onto the first tee feeling ready to play. We'll move through all three planes of motion, improve weight shift and balance, loosen up the wrists, and use intentional breathing to cultivate focus and release unnecessary tension. Whether you're heading to the course, getting ready for a practice session, or simply looking for a quick movement break during the day, this routine will help you prepare your body—and your mind—for better golf. If you have the space, stand up and follow along. If you're driving or listening on the go, save this episode and come back to it when you can move with it. Show notes: YoGolf Performance® (start your free trial!) Golf Mobility Guide Contact me

See All (32)

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

You Might Also Like