As far as agility and reaction time are concerned, they are both critical to tennis performance.

The ability to change direction quickly and efficiently (agility) and react to your opponent quickly will give you extra time to position yourself for your shot. Having good agility and reaction/ anticipation could be the difference between getting to a ball and not getting there, or between being able to take control of a point as opposed to having to hit a defensive shot. Strength and power development are essential for being able to decelerate and accelerate effectively needed when changing direction. To improve reaction time, learn to read the cues your opponent gives off to help anticipate the shot you will see watch the arm and the racket, for example. Also, take advantage of the court geometry and your knowledge of a players tendencies to whittle down the list of possible options he or she has available. The fewer options your mind has to choose from, the quicker you will be able to react. Does your opponent consistently hit a slice serve on the second serve? Do you really have to cover the entire court when you pull your opponent out wide? Improving your strength and power will help you improve agility and decrease your response time. However, you can also improve reaction time and anticipation without getting any stronger simply by knowing possible outcomes and eliminating unlikely scenarios. A golfers healthy posture begins with full-body strength, flexibility and the maintenance of muscle balance. Players need strength in the upper- and lower-body musculature and the postural and rotational muscles. They also need to be mindful of muscular symmetry (Archambault 2000). Asymmetry is pervasive among golfers; the shoulder, biceps, forearm and upper back tend to develop more on a golfers dominant side. The stronger muscles are tighter, while the weaker muscles are more flexible (Baptiste & Mendola 1999). Many golfers desire a better bilateral balance in their musculature, as do most one-sided athletes (for example, baseball pitchers and tennis players). An efficient golf swing requires full range of motion of the spine and ribs; shoulder external rotators, adductors and abductors; forearm pronators and supinators; and wrist extensors and radial deviators. Flexibility increases the range through which golfers can swing and reduces the frequency of tears and strains in ligaments and tendons (Garrett 1996). While flexibility enables motion to occur, sufficient strength of the posterior shoulder muscles is essential for club control during the swing phase. The abdominals, erector spinae and latissimus dorsi are used in concert to stabilize the trunk and dissipate forces. Professional golfers use their hips for power, as the hip musculature is very active during the golf swing. Hip rotators are extremely important during the downswing, when the abductors and adductors act in a stabilizing role to maintain balance throughout the movement. In the absence of strong hip rotator musculature, the low back and arms must make up the work, potentially causing back strain (Archambault 2000). A balanced, flexible and strong body is the foundation a serious golfer needs to take his game to the next level.

Mental command. Poses can calm and relax, as well as stimulate and invigorate. Improved concentration. Increased flexibility and strength. Improved balance control.

Improved circulation and respiration

In addition to increasing flexibility, yoga improves mental focus. This focus develops from practicing postures, breath control and meditation. Many, if not all, golfers struggle with the mental hazards of the game: loss of concentration, due to fatigue; distractions from a nerve-racking day; or interruptions from those around us. A struggle ensues between our conscious mindanalyzing, alert, logicaland our subconscious mindthe well of intuition and long-term memory (Baptiste & Mendola 1999). The intent of all the poses is to bring us into the present moment, taking us away from the unending chatter of the mind, which can distract us from the focus required for a flawless golf swing.

In these health conscious times, indulging in activities that help us remain fit and fine is becoming a fad. The latest fad to hit the fitness circles is billiards or snooker. This indoor activity that was relatively unknown is now gaining popularity and acceptance as a daily workout option. So if you are on the look-out for an activity that will help you in your attempts at fitness, take a cue! A game for all reasons, seasons and ages, billiards and snooker is one game that you should take a shot at now. The Trivandrum Club already has ardent fans that visit the Billiards room every day to play the game. Take for instance Aswin, who is doing his pilot training course at the Trivandrum Flying Club, who says: Billiards is an addiction. Once you get tuned to the game, you cannot miss a day playing it. Seemingly a non-athletic sport, it still requires a lot of mental and physical stamina to master its strokes. Says K. Thankappan Nair, Billiards Marker at the Trivandrum Club, who has been teaching interested cueists for 53 years: Billiards is a subtle exercise option. You wouldnt be aware that you have exerted yourself. All the bending, stretching, walking, gyrating around the pool table takes up your physical stamina while the soul of the game tests your mental stamina. So whether its a cut shot or a kiss shot that you aim at, billiards exercises your body well. Body parts that are best exercised through this game are, wrists, arms, shoulder, stomach, spine, back and even your legs! Billiards is also about focus, concentration and observation. Elaborating further is Ratheesh, who is also a Billiards Marker at Trivandrum Club: What billiards and snooker helps improve is your focus and concentration. To play this game, one has to literally put off all worries, tensions and thoughts out of the mind before the game begins. Its hard to play when your mind is elsewhere. Thats why we encourage a pre-shot routine that helps you stay focussed on the shot and helps you re-route your mind to the game. Agrees Aswin who says, There are many distractions on and off the table while playing but you cant afford to be caught up with them. This game calls for utmost attention and gives you the competitive advantage. This is how you learn to stay calm, collected and focussed over these sometimes frustrating little spheres. You can carry off this same composed state even in lifes many spherical mazes! A game that can be as relaxing or competitive as you want to make it, billiards is a great way to relax and unwind, and shouldnt be something that you get stressed about. As with many things in life, practice makes perfect. So ready to take a shot?