Can stretching make me taller?

[mookiebeware]

Hi. I am 29 years old. 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?

 

[Timber99]

You can certainly improve your flexibility! I think that some are more naturally flexbile than others but if you work on it, you will see improvements in your flexibility.

As for getting taller, I am guessing that the improvement here will be only minute.

 

[blkane]

Well, I don't think stretching will make you taller. Being 5'8", I wouldn't want that anyway.;-)

However, I am very interested in other opinions on your second question. I've been a couch potato most of my life and want to know what to expect in the way of increasing flexibility.

 

[allwildgirl]

I really don't know about the flexing part, but since I've been doing Cathe's workouts, I've grown an inch. I have no idea why. All my adult life, I was 5'6". On the road trip, Jes (jdoll) and I were talking and she said she was 5'6". I told her she couldn't be because I'm 5'6" and I was clearly taller than her. When I got home, I measured (several times) and lo and behold, I'm now 5'7".

So I have to say that it IS possible to get taller

 

[Timber99]

>
>So I have to say that it IS possible to get taller

Well, I think that perhaps with increased flexibility, you improve posture too. That might account for your new inch!

But I am interested to see what others say too!

 

[ldy_solana]

i posted this repsonse on the ask cathe forum as well

>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. <


kassia



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

 

[pink_fortitude]

I think that the only thing that it may do is make you appear taller because your posture improves. The only way that you can get any taller is if your skeletal structure changes and grows, and since you are well past puberty, I don't see that happening. :-( I feel for you, I am the shortest in my family and DHs, and I hate having to look up at people all the time.

Missy

 

[Alhambra]

I found dance makes me feel taller. I'm already 5'8" but in dance we're always working on flexibility and posture. Part of it is to always feel like your head is trying to touch the ceiling. When you pull your upper body upwards it will give the illusion of greater height.

Flexibility is a condition that can be developed. This year, at age 37, I achieved the splits for the very first time. It's all about practice, practice, practice. Just remember to gain in flexibility you need to hold a stretch for 45 seconds and always make sure your muscles are warm. I learned this from my physiotherapist.

I've also noticed that people can be flexible in different directions. I had an aerobics coach who could do the splits but could not touch the ground with straight legs. I can put my hands flat on the ground with straight legs but at the time I was far from being able to do the splits. When I was 10 I could not touch the floor with straight legs (I was about 6 inches away). Two years of daily trying to touch my toes paid off.

 

[andtckrtoo]

Oh good heavens! Is THAT why everyone is looking so short lately? At 5'10, the last thing I need is another inch. *shrugs* Oh well, I wear heels anyway...