You Can Increase Your Height with Yoga

Yoga has many benefits that people are typically aware of, but did you know that Yoga can actually make you taller? Believe it or not, you can add ½ an inch to your frame. It all depends on how much stretching you need. I’ve heard about this topic before, but I didn’t think it was real. I talked to our Yoga instructor, Shara Baythavogn, who was able to give me all the information I needed to understand how Yoga can really do this for people.

Shara explained that, “Over time people who don’t stretch have tight muscles, usually from years of sitting, driving, being on the computer, and don’t fully expand their lungs or chest. This causes us to hunch over, giving the illusion of a shorter height. Think of a building with poor supports, it’s going to sag and appear shorter. Yoga helps open up the front of your body and chest. In class you’ll hear the expression ”roll your shoulders back and open your heart”, “breathe deep and expand your chest.” The other important component in yoga is lengthening your spine. Although not to the point of injury, many of us have compressed disks and Yoga can help decompress the spine giving you a little more length. Yoga doesn’t magically make you taller, it gives you back the height you already have.”

As we age, even if we aren’t athletes, stretching helps maintain mobility in our joints. Think about if you stopped raising your arms up and then one day you go to reach for the fancy serving platter on the top shelf. You’ll probably realize that your shoulders don’t move the same way anymore. Flexing, or muscles building / toning, helps provide framework to your body. Our core is so important (yes abs, but also our back) and you don’t realize it until you don’t have it anymore. For example, people who have a weak core and are older in age may eventually have difficulty getting in and out of bed.

Shara’s 92 year old grandfather still practices yoga to this day!

There are so many benefits to be gained from practicing Yoga in addition to adding height to your frame. The twisting in Yoga aids with digestion, it can make you stronger, leaner, keep blood pressure down, help with blood sugar management, and promote a fuller lung capacity. If you are interested helping your body stand the test of time, sign up for Shara’s Yoga class at Continuing Education. Visit ColumbusState.edu/CE or call 706.507.8070 for more information.

-Kindra Hunter

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