Stories from Our Community: Amanda Balionis, Sports Reporter
Golf and yoga might seem like an unlikely pair, but they’re one of the best combos around. Just ask Amanda Balionis, a sports reporter, longtime golfer, and yoga teacher who swears by both as key activities in her weekly wellness routine.
As a traveling sports reporter, Balionis’s job takes her all over the world. Read on to learn how this Alo Moves member stays balanced on the road, why she recommends golf and yoga for your health, and her favorite post-game stretches for golfers.
When did you first begin practicing yoga, and what drew you to the practice?
I started practicing yoga in 2012. I found the yoga studio by happenstance; they were offering a Groupon for 30 days for $30, so I decided to try it because it fit into my budget. I fell in love with that studio and how the practice itself was the only place I was finding peace. I was going through some personal and work challenges at the time so to leave that studio drenched in sweat and fully invigorated was the beginning of a (healthy) addiction!
On the Girls N' Golf Podcast, you described your yoga teacher training as “the most intense six months of your entire life, but the best six months.” What sort of realizations or eye-opening moments did you experience during your training that shifted your life or practice?
I think the biggest thing I learned about myself during my 200-hour training was that I was not a victim to things that happened to me. I had always lived in a very reactionary way, and it’s exhausting to feel like you never have control and you’re constantly waiting for something to happen to you so that you know what to do next. This training gave me the tools to figure out that although I can’t control what’s happening around me, I do control the way I approach my life and that I don’t even have to react to things if it doesn’t benefit me. Learning how to take control of myself and my life changed me forever.
Yoga is great for everyone, but there are also so many benefits to golfers in particular. Why do you think golfers should practice yoga?
Golf and yoga have so many similarities, it’s crazy! It’s about staying calm and present in the moment, not thinking about what pose or golf shot is coming up next — just focusing on what’s at hand. Learning to connect with your breath in yoga is hugely beneficial on the golf course. Learning not to get emotionally reactive to a bad shot or bad round and just enjoying the surroundings and the people with me is all something I learned from yoga. Physically, yoga will help with spinal rotation, shoulder opening and rotation, lower back strength, and so much more that you need to play golf and not feel in pain afterwards.
On the flip side, why would you recommend golfing as a great activity for your physical and mental health?
Especially in these times of COVID-19, there are few places you can go right now that are built for you to be in nature, be naturally socially distanced, and also enjoy the company of others or even alone if preferred. We all know getting fresh air and Vitamin D is huge for mental health, so getting outside and playing even nine holes of golf for a couple of hours (get your steps in by choosing to walk over a cart!) or going to the range for an hour is so good for you mentally and physically.
What are your go-to yoga poses after a round of golf?
Rag Doll is the perfect stretch for me, usually before, during, and after rounds. And then after, Chair Pose with a twist is always a go-to for me. I love feeling that stretch through my lower back and side body. Also, Happy Baby is great to release the hip flexors and stretch my hamstrings, which I usually transition into Supine Twist.
What are your favorite styles of yoga to practice, and do you have any favorite Alo Moves classes?
I have my 200-hour in Baptiste style...it is far and away my favorite. I love the Alo Moves vinyasa classes that are 30 minutes — it’s a great way for me to squeeze in time for myself when I may not have a lot of time.
Your job as a reporter takes you all around the world. What are your favorite rituals and habits for staying balanced while on the road?
I rely heavily on my “road routine,” which consists of getting healthy groceries delivered to my hotel room. Also, again because of COVID, using the hotel gyms isn’t really an option so I have been relying on the Alo Moves app as well as some outdoor running classes to make sure I’m carving out time to sweat. I try to journal often, and when I’m having trouble falling asleep because of time zone changes, a quick guided 10-minute meditation usually does the trick!
Follow Amanda @balionis on Instagram, and check out our new Yoga for Golfers class playlist on Alo Moves. Start your free 14-day trial today.