Secrets To Being Taller With Yoga

The secret is out. Yoga's focus on alignment and expansion makes the most of the height you already have. No, you won't grow, but you may feel and look as if you did. Yes, yoga helps you achieve this transformation, so be prepared for people to comment about your "new" height.

Effects

Because yoga makes you more aware of your body and your breathing, a regular practice can change your whole appearance and outlook. Yoga helps you find balance in your body and mind by developing strength and flexibility. It increases your range of motion, improves your posture, builds energy, boosts self-esteem, relieves stress, calms your mind and helps you sleep. Best of all, it opens and extends your spine to enhance your height.

Alignment

Mountain pose provides the basis for all other yoga poses. Learn good alignment in mountain pose, and apply these guidelines to all other poses. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and relax your arms by your sides. Notice your posture. Are your feet evenly balanced? Are you slouching? Press firmly into the four corners of each foot. That's the inner and outer front and back, not including the toes. Focus on this action and lift and spread the toes out wide to activate your leg muscles.

Warm-Ups

Start in easy pose, a comfortable seated position. Rooting your seat down, lengthen your spine up and follow the rest of the directions for mountain pose. Rest your hands on your legs, close your eyes and focus on your breathing to relieve stress. After a few minutes, do the cat/cow pose to warm up your spine and connect your movement to your breath. Focus on the stability of your foundation --- hands, knees and feet --- as you lengthen your spine and engage your abdominal muscles.

Postures

Spine-lengthening poses include downward-facing dog, cobra and triangle poses. Use the mountain pose alignment instructions as a template. The key to finding length in downward-facing dog is to connect all 10 of your fingertips and knuckles and the heels of your hands to the floor. Press into the balls of your feet and stretch your heels back and down, even if they don't touch the floor.

In cobra pose, keep your hands solidly on the floor next to your chest, and push your spine forward.

Triangle pose lengthens each side of your body. Make sure to stretch both sides evenly and notice the space between all your ribs as you reach one hand to the floor, the other to the ceiling. Use a block if your hand doesn't reach the floor.