We all know someone who swears by yoga. They credit their practice for making them more flexible, improving their posture, and reducing stress.
But can yoga really do all that? And can it make you taller? We took a closer look to see what the science had to say.
Is It Possible to Become Taller by Doing Yoga?
Can Yoga Make You Taller?
The jury’s still out on whether or not yoga can make you taller. Some people claim that regular practice increases height, while others say it only improves your posture and makes you look taller. So, what’s the truth? Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple answer.
Yoga may be able to help you grow taller if you start practicing at a young age. A 2007 study found that children who practiced yoga for 12 weeks showed an increase in height compared to those who didn’t practice yoga.
However, the study didn’t find any significant differences in height between the yoga group and the control group after 24 weeks.
Yoga may be a good option if you’re looking for a way to improve your posture and make yourself look taller.
One study found that participants who practiced power yoga for 12 weeks had better posture and appeared taller than those in the control group.
The study participants who practiced Hatha yoga also showed improvements in posture, but to a lesser extent than the power yoga group.
Well, more people believe that yoga won’t make you taller directly by increasing your skeletal height, it will help you to build strength, increase flexibility and most importantly, enhance your posture to make you look taller.
These benefits alone could indirectly add an inch or so to your height, and as a result you may notice added length in your spine, making you appear taller.
Poses to Improve Your Posture and Help you Stand Taller
Although you can’t grow taller after your growth plates have fused, there are certain yoga poses that can help to elongate your spine, decompress your joints, and lengthen your muscles which will give you the appearance of being taller.
Let’s take a look at some yoga poses that will help you grow taller!
Pose 1: Camel Pose
Camel pose is an excellent way to lengthen your spine and open up your chest which will give you a taller appearance. To do this pose, start on your hands and knees with your palms flat on the ground and shoulder-width apart.
As you inhale, arch your back and look up toward the ceiling. Then, place your right hand on your lower back for support and reach back with your left hand to grab hold of your right ankle. Hold this pose for 30 seconds to 1 minute before releasing and repeating on the other side.
Pose 2: Cobra Pose
Cobra pose is another excellent way to decompress the vertebrae in your spine and open up your chest. To do this pose, start lying on your stomach with your feet hip-width apart and the tops of your feet flat on the ground.
Place your palms on the ground beside you with your elbows bent and close to your body. As you inhale, press down into your palms and lift your chest off of the ground while keeping your low back pressed into the mat. Hold this pose for 30 seconds to 1 minute before releasing.
Pose 3: Downward Facing Dog Pose
Downward-facing dog is a great all-around pose that can help lengthen all of your body’s muscles from head to toe, making you appear taller.
To do this pose, start on all fours with your palms flat on the ground and shoulder-width apart. Spread out your fingers and press down evenly into each hand as you tuck your toes under and lift up into downward facing dog position.
Your body should form an inverted “V” shape with straight arms and legs. Keep pressing down into both palms as you press back through both heels to fully lengthen out all of the muscles in both arms and legs. Hold this pose for 1 minute before releasing.
What Exercise Else May Make You Taller?
1. High Knees Running exercise is one of the most effective ways to increase height. This exercise helps elongate your spine and also strengthens your leg muscles.
To do this exercise, stand up straight and then lift your knees high in the air, running in place for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
2. Skipping is another great exercise for increasing height as it also helps elongate your spine. In addition, skipping rope is great for improving your coordination and balance.
To do this exercise, stand on one foot and swing the other leg forward, hopping on the toes of your leading foot. Repeat this motion for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
3. Swimming is a great all-around exercise and it’s also great for increasing height. When you swim, your body is stretched outwards and this helps lengthen your spine.
In addition, swimming also strengthens your back muscles, which can help improve your posture and prevent slouching.
Conclusion:
So, can yoga really make you taller? The verdict is still out.
If you start practicing at a young age, you may see some tiny increases in height, but generally speaking, yoga is more likely to improve your posture and give you the appearance of being taller than it is to actually make you grow taller.
That being said, if you’re looking for a way to reduce stress, improve your flexibility, and boost your overall health, there are few better options out there than regular yoga practice.
