The debate continues. Do stretching exercises really add height to someone’s body? The answer is, well, sort of. The hesitation is because it all depends on how much stretching is involved, where the stretching is actually at play and how old the person’s body is. Unlike pasta noodles, our bodies are much more complex and loaded up with structural parts that are simply not designed to stretch like a noodle.
Let’s address the age thing first. If a body has already matured, it’s more difficult to achieve added height through stretching. Not impossible, just more difficult. At a young age, the body can be stretched and contorted a bit more easily. Too much stretching can cause some serious structural problems.
As many of you may have seen, there are certain cultures that insert discs into ear lobes or lips for the purpose of stretching. The discs are placed into these body parts in a person’s youth. There are also cultures that place rings around the necks of young people in order to help them stretch their necks to make them much taller. It works, however, the result leaves the individuals with structurally unsound body parts. And much discomfort.
Back to trying to grow taller. If you are trying to grow taller just by stretching, here is our advice.
Ballet. Yoga. Pilates. These three exercising platforms are the very best at ensuring your body will be stretched, toned and strengthened. All three of these stretching programs can cause damage if taken to extreme but, in general, they are quite safe and healthy.
The stretching you would do must be consistent and delivered in three parts.
1. The first part is to learn the proper technique for doing stretches that elongate the spine, neck, arms and legs.
2. The second part is to be consistent. Practice regularly, just as ballet professionals must practice to achieve a body that responds to the demands of their profession.
3. Add muscle strength. Stretching without muscle building will not help your body support itself for the long term. Ballet, Yoga and Pilates are all built around poses and stretching exercises to help you achieve a healthy and toned body but will also help you achieve the maximum height possible for you.
Know your limits and know which stretching platforms can help you achieve greater heights.
