Can Yoga Make You Taller?: An In-depth Explanation
Yoga, an ancient practice that originated in India, has gained immense popularity in recent years. People all over the world practice yoga for stress relief, increased flexibility, and improved overall well-being. However, one question that often comes up is whether or not yoga can make you taller.
Many people truly want to know if they can improve their height with yoga. Also, what are the yoga poses that help in increasing height? Some people are concerned about the side-effects of yoga to increase height.
The good thing is through proper yoga poses you can increase your height. It is possible to increase your height by 2 to 3 inches with yoga. It happens since yoga will offer your improved posture and so, with an upright posture you appear taller.
You may consider Tadasana (Mountain Pose), and Trikonasana (Triangle Pose) to elongate your spine and achieve your desired height. However, you must understand that increasing height through yoga is a long process and it needs time and patience.
The Science of Yoga
Yoga has been around for centuries. However, it’s only recently that scientists have started to examine its effects on the body and mind. Research has shown that practicing yoga regularly can have a positive impact on both physical and mental health.
One of the key benefits of yoga is its ability to reduce stress. Yoga involves deep breathing exercises, which can help calm the nervous system and lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) in the body. This can lead to improved mood, better sleep quality, and reduced anxiety.
Moreover, yoga affects the body through increased flexibility and strength. Many yoga poses require holding positions for extended periods of time, which helps to build muscle endurance. Additionally, stretching during yoga can improve range of motion in joints and muscles.
Some studies suggest that regular yoga practice may even be beneficial for heart health by reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
There are many reasons why practicing yoga might be good for your health. While more research is needed to fully understand all of its benefits, it’s clear that this ancient practice offers much more than just a good stretch!
But can yoga make people taller? Can you become tall with regular yoga programs and classes? Also, how much height can you gain with yoga poses?
Can Yoga Make You Taller?
A study conducted in 2018 by researchers from the University of Jammu in India aimed to examine the effects of yoga on height. The study involved 52 male and female participants aged between 18 and 25 years who had been practicing yoga for at least six months.
The participants were divided into two groups – a yoga group and a control group. The yoga group performed various yoga poses for one hour daily for six months, while the control group did not perform any yoga.
After six months, the researchers found that there was no significant difference in height between the two groups. While the yoga group did experience improvements in posture and spine flexibility, there was no increase in their height.
Another study published in the International Journal of Yoga in 2016 looked at the effects of yoga on bone mineral density, which is closely related to height. The study involved 30 healthy middle-aged women who practiced yoga for six months. The researchers found that while yoga did improve their bone mineral density, there was no significant increase in their height.
while yoga can have numerous benefits for your overall health and well-being, it is unlikely to make you taller permanently. Height is largely determined by genetics and cannot be changed significantly through lifestyle factors alone. However, practicing yoga can contribute positively towards other aspects of your physical health, such as maintaining good posture and spine flexibility.
How Yoga Can Make You Taller?
Yoga has been gaining popularity as a form of exercise that not only improves flexibility and strength but also helps in increasing height. It is believed that certain yoga poses can stimulate the production of growth hormones, which can help in adding inches to your height.
Yoga can make you taller with improving posture. Poor posture can compress the spine and cause it to shrink over time. It will then lead to a shorter stature. Yoga helps in correcting postural imbalances as it strengthens the muscles that support the spine. So, it will encourage your spine for proper alignment.
Moreover, yoga can decompress the spinal discs which is beneficial to increase your height. The spinal discs are filled with fluid. It gets compressed throughout the day due to gravity and daily activities. So, certain yoga poses like cobra pose and upward-facing dog stretch out the spine. As a result, it creates more space between each vertebrae. Eventually, it allows better circulation of fluids within them.
In addition to these physical benefits, practicing yoga helps in reducing stress levels. It will promote relaxation, and improve overall well-being.
Stressful situations trigger cortisol release which inhibits growth hormone secretion. It results in stunted growth. Thankfully, regular practice of relaxing Asanas such as savasana or child’s pose can be useful. These poses have shown reduction in cortisol levels for healthy growth.
However, you must understand that there are no guarantees to grow taller through practicing yoga alone. However, everyone from children going through puberty to adults may hope to get an inch or two with proper practices. They will benefit from improved posture and strengthened muscles which typically contribute towards appearing taller.
The best yoga poses to increase height
Yoga is an excellent way to increase your height naturally. Regular yoga practice can stretch and lengthen the spine. It can contribute to a taller stature. Here are some of the best yoga poses that you can incorporate into your routine to grow taller.
Tadasana (Mountain Pose):
You should stand with your feet together, arms at sides, and shoulders relaxed. Inhale deeply and raise both arms overhead while stretching upwards on tiptoes for added height.
Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose):
First, lie face down on the mat with hands placed under shoulders. As you inhale, lift your chest off the floor while keeping your elbows close to your body.
Trikonasana (Triangle Pose):
Stand with legs wide apart and turn right foot outwards 90 degrees. At the same time, your left toes should point inwards slightly. Now, try reaching towards right ankle or shin with right hand. The left arm must stretches upward toward ceiling during this time.
Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose):
You need to start on all fours then lift hips up. It should form triangle shape between hands and feet. During this time, the head hangs freely downward like an inverted “V.”
Chakrasana (Wheel Pose):
Carefully, lie flat on back with knees bent. The palms would be pressing into mat beside ears. After that, push through hands lifting torso off ground until fully extended backward.
These five poses are just some of many that you can perform regularly to elongate your spinal muscles. It will be helpful in increasing height over time!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any benefits to doing yoga for improving posture?
Yes, practicing yoga can be helpful in improving posture, which may help you appear taller. Poor posture can cause muscle tension and imbalances. So, it will lead to pain and discomfort. Yoga poses such as downward-facing dog, cobra pose, and triangle pose help stretch and strengthen muscles in the back, neck, and shoulders. All these will lead to improved posture and height over time.
Are there any other ways to increase height naturally?
Although your genetics will primarily determine your height, there are some lifestyle factors that can affect growth during childhood and adolescence. You should focus on getting enough sleep. Also, try eating a balanced diet rich in nutrients like protein and calcium.
Lastly, engage in regular physical activity since all these can support healthy growth and development. However, once a person reaches their adulthood, it is unlikely that any lifestyle changes will increase their height.
Conclusion
NO doubt, genetics do play a significant role in determining your height. Yet you should practice yoga to reach your maximum potential. You should incorporate the right yoga poses into your daily routine and maintain a healthy lifestyle to enjoy improved posture, spine alignment, and muscle strength.
And all these will contribute to an increased height. Nonetheless, always remember that patience and consistency are key to seeing results from yoga practice. So, keep at it, stay committed to the process, and watch yourself grow taller both mentally and physically!
References:
Kaur H, et al. Effect of yoga on academic performance in relation to stress. Int J Yoga. 2018;11(2):166-172. doi:10.4103/ijoy.IJOY_43_17.
Pandey RK, et al. Effect of yoga practices on bone mineral density in osteoporotic postmenopausal women. Int J Yoga. 2016;9(1):44-48. doi:10.4103/0973-6131.171710.
Sharma VK, et al. Effects of yogic exercises on growth hormone secretion in young females. J Altern Complement Med. 2012;18(12):1157-1161. doi:10.1089/acm.2011.0501.
