Can stretching make me taller?

[mookiebeware]

Hi. I am 29 years old, and I've been doing cathe workouts for a few months now. I have been pretty short all my life--I've also thought myself 'inflexible' for a long time (since 5th grade), until I learned that I am in charge of how flexible I become, by stretching consistently. I'm wondering if all these years of not challenging my muscles to stretch (because I thought it was a given trait, that some people could pass the stretching test and some people could not) has kept my bones from separating as much as they could....

How much can I realistically expect to increase my flexibility, and can I get any taller? Are some people 'born' flexible, or is flexibility a condition which can be developed?

 

[ldy_solana]

hi not cathe here. for getting taller i don't think that it is true.bone structure is genetic so if you meant to be short then you will always be short. i have been 5'since 7th grade(27 now) i think with stretching and core engaging you improve your posture that might make you seem taller, but its just making you stand up straight.

there are some folks who are born more flexible(contortionist) but they still work on stretching and strengthing. you can improve flexibility with stretching but don't expect to put your foot behind your head. some just can't do that no matter how much they stretch. for as long as i have done yoga i can't do that standing backbend(where you bend backwards from standing position) but can do the backbend from the lying position. just wasn't in the cards for me to bend that way no matter how much i try it.

i hope some others have another opinion or something to add b/c there are alot of smart ppl here.

kassia



When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be
disappointed to discover they are not it -- Bernard Bailey

 

[kathryn]

Though " building long, lean muscles" and "lengthening" are sometimes used as buzz-words to sell workouts, there is no way you will actually get taller, aside from possibly an inch or so due to better posture and alignment.

 

[clareMc]

Wouldn't it be nice if a little yoga could add a few inches? I wouldn't mind another two. I've always wanted to be 5' 10"!

Yes, some people are more flexible than others and this is part of their genetic make up. I am very flexible and all I do is stretch after workouts, nothing more. My husband cannot touch his toes I don't think.

But, regular practice of stretching and yoga can improve your flexibility enormously. You will feel better for it, and this improved wellness will encourage good posture and standing tall and proud, no matter what your height.

So, yes! Put stretching back into your weekly program.

Clare

 

[Tallchick]

As for being taller, the only thing to do is to wear high heels. But wait, those are bad for your back. I am six feet tall and for years all I wanted to be was a short 5'10'. In my insecure years I learned that yes, height is genetic (although my mother is only 5'5" and my father 6'1" and no one remembers anyone being very tall) so there is nothing you can do about height. Keep stretching though, it feels so good!