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GL: What brought on the concept of marrying Yoga and Golf? Was it a passion for both or did you see a good business opportunity?

KR: I grew up in a golfing family and I was blessed with the game early in life. Twelve years ago I was playing golf with a woman who was a 5 handicap.  Obviously I wanted to know what she was doing for her game.  She was a yoga instructor and soon became my primary teacher for the next eight years. I soon left my corporate sales job and became a full time yoga instructor.  Living in Scottsdale and Vancouver offers me the opportunity to work with many golfers.  My yoga students continued to receive the same benefits of yoga in their golf game as I had experienced.  (My handicap dropped from a 24 to 16)At this point I realized there was an untapped business opportunity to bring the benefits of yoga to a demographic of individuals who would not normally go to a yoga studio – golfers.Based on our market research, we released our first DVD over seven years ago and two months ago we released our 9^th and 10^th DVD.  The Yoga For Golfers book was released in 2005 (McGraw-Hill) and the second book is currently in the works.GL: You are quickly becoming a household name with your book, DVD’s and numerous TV appearances. What’s your long-term vision for Yoga For Golfers?

KR: My long term vision is to continue to be of service to golfers, to help golfers play better, play longer and to play injury free.  Through the products, programs and world-wide teacher training certification programs we are helping golfers around the world. 
Our slogan is “Maximum Performance, Balanced Life” which sums up our long-term vision to assist golfers with life on and off the course.
 
My belief is golf is a metaphor for life and golf teaches us so many life lessons such as joy, acceptance , camaraderie, the power of inner dialogue and other tools which are applicable on and off the golf course.
 
GL: You also are the official yoga instructor of the San Diego Padres working with them twice a week in spring training; how does the yoga practice you take them through differ from Yoga For Golfers?

KR: Frankly, the yoga practice for the Padres is similar to the yoga for golfers programs.

If you study the biomechanics of the golf swing it is very similar to the golf swing.  Power is generated from the lower body, through the hips, trunk, shoulders, arms and hands. Additionally batting is similar in the coiling motion of the spine.The pitchers and catchers are usually tight in the hips as are many golfers.Balance is key in baseball as well as golf and the mental conditioning is often the difference between the top baseball players and golfers.We focus on the most important aspect of the practice of yoga – breathing.  Breathing is a mirror to the mind, manifesting as tension in the body when we hold our breath.  Baseball players as well as golfers need to have a tension free body and mind.  Breathing helps you achieve “effortless power”.   There are tremendous benefits of yoga for all sports, specifically hockey, basketball, soccer and football

GL:What has been your most amazing experience in the last 10 years teaching golfers worldwide?

KR: When a golfer uses our programs, either working with me personally or through our products and shares the benefits they receive on the golf course, I am thrilled.  When they share how the programs have impacted their lives off the course that is what I call an amazing experience.
 
GL: You have your own show coming out on the Golf Channel. Tell us about it and how it all came about.

KR: The Yoga for Golfers show aired two years ago on The Golf Channel.  I contacted the producers and they loved the idea.  We incorporated David Gossett, PGA Tour player who practices yoga on a daily basis and we included a varied demographic of yoga students.  Oddly enough the producer of the YFG show also produced the first Big Break and that is how I got the job as co-host with Rick Smith.Last week I shot a series of fitness tips for a new show on The Golf Channel called The Turn, which begins airing on January 22, 2007 and my YFG fitness tips are a weekly feature on www.TheGolfChannel.com