Can I do Yoga to Increase Height?

Can I Practice Yoga to Increase Height After 18?

Many of such questions come to your mind when you hear about the benefits of yoga and how it helps in increasing height.

It is a general belief that the height of a person determines several other factors in one’s life. It is believed that a tall person is considered to be more happy, intelligent and healthy. Also, more often than not, tall people are perceived as more attractive and successful people.

These are some of the reasons why there is such an emphasis on one’s height as it does have an impact on us in one way or the other. Of late, the realization and need for a good height have driven people to seek ways to increase their height. A person’s height not only affects us from a physical point of view but also from an emotional point of view.

Factors Affecting Height

1. It is the genes in our body which determine the height of a person but one of the foremost reasons for short height is the posture of the body.
2. Poor body posture does not usually develop overnight. It happens over time through little habits such as standing with your hips lowered while putting the entire weight of the body on one foot or slouching.
3. Yoga helps to realign the body while making it more flexible, agile and stronger and thereby making you look taller.

Yoga Poses to Increase Height

The good news is that yoga does indeed help in increasing your height. Here are the asanas which if done correctly can effectively help you increase your height:

1. Surya Namaskar

Surya Namaskar or the Sun Salutation is an ancient method of showing acknowledgment to the sun that is the source of all life on earth. This asana allows you to offer your gratitude to the sun through a set of 12 asanas done in a cyclical method. It is advisable to practice yoga to increase height.

It is believed that through Surya Namaskar the different devas or divine impulses of light govern the various parts of the body. Surya Namaskar is one of the most popular asanas to help in increase of height. This is also an excellent completed body work out which should be done early in the morning when the sun is rising.

It is a perfect way to warm-up before doing other intense asanas. It is also advisable to do it with an empty stomach and bowel. Do make it a point to start the asana after offering a small prayer to the sun god as it has the ability to harmonize the body, breath, and mind. In a span of 15 minutes, it is possible to easily do 12 sets of Surya Namaskar which means that a total of 288 powerful asanas can be performed during that time. (1)

The following mantras are chanted while performing a set of 12 asanas in Surya Namaskar:

1. Om Mitraya Namah
2. Om Ravaye Namah
3. Om Suryaya Namah
4. Om Bhanave Namah
5. Om Khagaya Namah
6. Om Poosne Namah
7. Om Hiranyagarbhaya Namah
8. Om Marichaya Namah
9. Om Adityaya Namah
10. Om Savitre Namah
11. Om Arkaya Namah
12. Om Bhaskaraya Namah

How to Do Surya Namaskar:

1) Pranamasana or Prayer Pose:

Stand straight with your feet together and inhale and lift your arms up. Exhale and bring your palms together in a prayer position in front of your chest.

2) Hasta Uttanasana or the Raised Arms Pose:

Lift your arms above your head and back and stretch your body from the heels to your fingertips.

3) Pada Hastasana or Hand to Foot Pose:

As you exhale, bend forward from your waist while making sure that your spine is erect. Inhale and place both your hands down on the floor beside your feet.

4) Ashwa Sanchalanasana or the Equestrian Pose:

As you inhale deeply, push your left leg back and stretch it as far back as possible. Bend your right knee and place both your arms and palms next to your feet and look in front.

5) Parvatasana or Mountain Pose:

As you exhale, lift up your hips and tailbone while your feet and palms are firmly touching the ground. Imagine yourself to be an inverted V facing towards the ground.

6) Ashtanga Namaskara:

Bring your knees down to the floor gently and exhale. Raise your hips slightly and move forward in such as way that your chin and chest touch the ground along with your hands and feet.

7) Bhujangasana or the Cobra Pose:

Move your body forward and raise your chest up to resemble the cobra pose. Ensure that your elbows should be bent and your shoulders are away from your ears as you look upwards. Breathe normally.

8) Parvatasana or the Mountain Pose:

As you exhale, lift up your hips and tailbone while your feet and palms are firmly touching the ground. Imagine yourself to be an inverted V facing towards the ground.

9) Ashwa Sanchalanasana or the Equestrian Pose:

As you inhale deeply, push your right leg back and stretch it as far back as possible. Bend your left knee and place both your arms and palms next to your feet and look in front.

10) Pada Hastasana or Hand to Foot Pose:

As you exhale, bend forward from your waist while making sure that your spine is erect. Inhale and place both your hands down on the floor beside your feet.

11) Hasta Uttanasana or the Raised Arms Pose:

Lift your arms above your head and back and stretch your body from the heels to your fingertips.

12) Pranamasana or Prayer Pose:

Stand straight with your feet together and inhale and lift your arms up. Exhale and bring your palms together in a prayer position in front of your chest.

For the detailed description of each asana read here: How to do Surya Namaskar: 12 poses with pictures

Benefits of Surya Namaskara:

1) It is a perfect workout which when done at a fast pace becomes a cardio workout which will make you lose weight. The asana also helps to tone your arms and abs apart from making your body extremely flexible. It is also a great way to strengthen the spinal cord. (2)

2) The entire 12 set of asanas in a Surya Namaskar includes conscious and deep breathing techniques. The lungs are conditioned to undergo constant ventilation through the various inhalations and exhalations and thereby ensure that the blood is well circulated and oxygenated.

3) This asana is particularly useful if you wish to reduce stress and anxiety as it has a positive effect on the nervous system. It also keeps in check the thyroid and endocrine glands.

4) It helps to enhance the blood circulation in the body and helps to achieve a youthful and healthy glow on your face.

Here is an informative video from Shemaroo Shilpa’s Yoga

 

2. Tadasana

Tadasana or the Mountain Pose is the base asana from which other asanas follow in yoga. Although it is one of the easiest poses to do, it is also an effective asana to increase your height.

It is also one of the very few asanas which can be done at any time of the day and at any place. Tadasana stretches all the muscles of the body from the head to the toes which facilitate the production of the growth hormone in the body. It must be done for at least 10-20 seconds if not more. This is a good yoga asanas for beginners.

How to Do Tadasana:

1) Stand straight with a little distance between your feet and your hands should be beside your body and palms facing your body.

2) As you inhale, raise your arms above your head and place your palms outwards while standing on your toes.

3) Exhale and come back to your original position.

Benefits of Tadasana:

1) Improves the posture of the body by lengthening and straightening the spine.

2) Makes your thighs, knees, and ankles stronger while helping your balance better.

3) Regular practice of this asana helps to reduce sciatica.

4) Regulation of the nervous, digestive and respiratory systems.

3. Bhujangasana

Bhujangasana or the Cobra Pose is one of the asanas that forms part of Surya Namaskar. It is particularly known for its benefits in growing height and losing belly fat.

It is a basic level yoga which should be done with an empty stomach and bowel for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Bhujangasana is ideally done in the morning but it can be practiced in the evening as well as long there has been a gap of at least 3 to 4 hours between the last meal. This is also a favorite baba Ramdev yoga asana.

This is also one of the best yoga asanas for constipation.

How to do Bhujangasana:

1) Lie flat on your stomach and place your feet together and your hands on your sides.

2) Place your hand on your shoulder level and palms on the floor.

3) Inhale and raise your head and trunk while placing your body weight on your palms and your hands should be bent at your elbows.

4) Arch your neck and back backward so that it resembles the pose of a cobra with a raised head. Ensure that your shoulders are not touching your ears and let your hips, thighs, and feet press against the floor.

5) Hold the pose for 15 to 30 seconds as you keep breathing normally.

6) Slowly place your hands back to your sides and place your head and forehead on the ground.

Benefits of Bhujangasana:

1) This asana makes the spine stronger as well as more flexible.

2) It tones the organs which are placed in the lower abdomen.

3) It regulates the metabolism in the body and is a stress releaser.

4) It stretches the muscles in the lungs, chest, shoulders, and abdomen.

4. Vrikshasana

Vrikshasana or the Tree Pose is a pose which resembles the graceful stance of a tree on the ground. It is done by keeping your eyes open and balancing your weight on each leg. Vrikshasana is ideally done in the morning when it is easier to focus and concentrate.

It is an excellent exercise to increase height as it activates the pituitary gland which controls the production of the growth hormone in the body. It is also beneficial in spreading balance and harmony. This is one of the best Shilpa Shetty Yoga Asanas for Weight Loss.

How to Do Vrikshasana:

1) Stand straight and keep your arms beside your body.

2) Bend your right knee slightly and place your right leg on the root of your left thigh. Ensure that your left leg is absolutely straight.

3) Inhale and raise your arms above your head while touching your palms together in a Namaste mudra while looking straight ahead.

4) Bring your arms down gently and release your right leg and take your original position.

5) Repeat with left leg.

Benefits of Vrikshasana:

1) Strengthens the spine while also improving balance and poise.

2) It helps and improves neuro-muscular coordination.

3) Tones the leg muscles and makes the knees stronger.

4) Also makes the ligaments and tendons of the feet stronger.

5. Hastapadasana

Hastapadasana or the Hand to Feet Forward Bend Pose is one of the variations of the Padasana and is also known as the hand to foot pose. It is an effective exercise to increase the height of the body as it elongates the spine and also stretches the hamstrings. It is fairly easy to do and should be done for at least 30 seconds.

Hastapadasana is one of the best yoga asanas for piles.

How to do Hastapadasana:

1) Stand erect in Tadasana with your shoulders rolled back, chest out, abdominal muscles tight and belly button sucked in.

2) Inhale deeply and extend your arms above your head.

3) Exhale and bend forward while trying to touch your knees with your head and feet with your hands. (If possible try to touch the back of your feet with your hands.)

4) Hold the pose for 30 seconds and come back to your original Tadasana pose.

Benefits of Hastapadasana:

1) An excellent asana to increase height as it elongates the spine.

2) Helps to make the body to become more flexible through the stretches.

3) Strengthens the ankles and the legs.

4) Stretches and strengthens the hamstrings in the thigh muscles.

6. Marjariasana

Marjariasana or the Cat Pose is a yoga asana which resembles the pose of a cat. It helps to strengthen the body through stretches. Marjariasana should ideally be done in the morning with an empty stomach and bowel for at least 10 seconds. It is one of the best prenatal yoga poses.

How to do Marjariasana:

1) Stand in all fours on the ground in such a way that your back becomes a tabletop while your hands and feet are its legs.

2) Ensure that your arms are perpendicular to the ground while your palms are on the ground right under your shoulders and there is a gap between your knees.

3) Look straight ahead.

4) Inhale and tilt your neck and head backward. Raise your tailbone as you push your navel down and compress your buttocks. You will feel a tingling sensation while doing this asana.

5) Hold the pose while breathing normally.

6) As you exhale drop your chin to your chest and arch up your back and relax your buttocks.

7) Hold this pose while breathing normally.

8) Come back to your original tabletop position and repeat again.

Benefits of Marjariasana:

1) This pose is an excellent exercise to strengthen the spine and make it more flexible.

2) It also strengthens the wrists, hands, and shoulders.

3) Helps to tone the abdominal muscles.

4) Improves blood and oxygen circulation in the body.

7. Trikonasana

Trikonasana or the Triangle Pose is pose which resembles the shape of the triangle. It is a pose which should ideally be done in the morning with an empty stomach while keeping your eyes open for better balance. It is an easy pose to do and should be done for at least 30 seconds.

How to do Trikonasana:

1) Stand straight and maintain a distance of three and a half to four feet between your legs.

2) Start with turning your left foot by 15-20 degrees and right foot out by exactly 90 degrees.

3) Next step is to align the curve or arch of your left foot with the center of your right heel.

4) In this asana, the weight of your body is on your feet so make sure the weight is equally distributed between left and right leg.

5) In a continuous movement, taking a deep breath and exhaling, bend your body towards the right. Keep your waist in a straight line while practicing this step. Lift your left hand while the right-hand touch the ground. The arms should form a straight line.

6) Let your right hand rest on your ankle and stretch your left hand to the ceiling to provide a good stretch to your body. Turn your head towards the left and look at your left palm.

7) Make sure that your body is bent only sideways and not forwards or backward and stretch your body to the fullest and try to stabilize your body while taking deep breaths.

8) As you inhale, drop your arms to your sides and straighten your feet.

9) Repeat the same with your other leg.

Benefits of Trikonasana:

1) It helps to strengthen the ankles, knees, legs, arms, and chest.

2) It is an excellent asana to stretch and open up the hips, groin, calves, and hamstrings.

3) It helps in stimulating the abdominal organs and improves digestion.

4) It also stimulates the spinal nerves.

8. Sarvangasana

Sarvangasana or the Shoulder Stand Pose is also called the queen of all asanas. It enables the shoulders to take all the weight of the body. Sarvangasana should ideally be done early in the morning when both the stomach and bowel are empty. It should be done for at least 30 to 60 seconds. Sarvangasana is also beneficial to get a glowing skin.

This is also one of the best yoga asanas for hair growth.

How to Do Sarvangasana:

1) Lie down flat on your back and keep your arms and legs besides your body.

2) Lift your legs, buttocks and back swiftly in such a manner that lower body is supported by your elbows as you stand high on your shoulders.

3) While doing the pose, move your elbows close to each other and straighten your spine and legs. Please note that the weight of your body should be supported by your shoulders and elbows and not your neck or head.

4) Make your legs erect and point out your toes and hold the pose for 30 seconds while breathing normally.

5) Lower your knees and place your hands on the floor to release the pose and lie flat on the ground and relax.

Benefits of Sarvangasana:

1) It stimulates several glands in the body such as thyroid and prostate and also the organs in the abdomen.

2) It improves both the metabolism as well as digestion in the body.

3) It helps relieve stress, calms the brain and cures mild depression.

4) It also helps to cure asthma, sinusitis, and infertility.

 

9. Natrajasana

Natrajasana or the Lord of the Dance Pose is an asana which depicts the dancing avatar of Lord Shiva. It should be done in the morning on an empty stomach and bowel for at least 15 to 30 seconds. It is an excellent exercise to stretch and strengthen the body.

How to Do Natrajasana:

1) Stand in Tadasana and as you inhale, lift your left foot in such a way that your heel is placed towards the left buttock and your knees are bent. The right foot should take the entire body weight.

2) Hold your left leg from the outside with your left hand and begin to lift your left leg up and away from your torso. Extend your left thigh in such as way that it is parallel to the floor. Your right hand should also be extended forward so that it is parallel to the floor.

3) Hold the pose for 15 to 30 seconds and release. Repeat with your right leg.

Benefits of Natrajasana:

1) This asana helps to strengthen the ankles, legs, hips, and chest.

2) It also increases the metabolism in the body and aids in weight loss.

3) Also aids in better digestion.

4) It also makes the body more flexible.

10. Adho Mukha Svanasana

Adho Mukha Svanasana or the Dog Pose is an asana which resembles the pose of a dog when it bends forward. It should be done for 1 to 3 minutes as it both strengthens and stretches the body. It is one of the best asanas for toning ab muscles.

How to Do Adho Mukha Svanasana:

1) Stand in all fours on the ground in such a way that your back becomes a tabletop while your hands and feet are its legs.

2) As you exhale, gently lift your hips and straighten both your knees and elbows to make your body pose like an inverted V.

3) The hands should be in line with your shoulders while your feet should be in line with your hips. Also, ensure that your toes are pointing outwards.

4) As you place your palms on the ground, lengthen your neck and your ears should touch your inner elbows. Look at your navel.

5) Hold the pose for a few seconds and bend your knees to come back to the table position.

Benefits of Adho Mukha Svanasana:

1) This asana is useful to strengthen the abdominal muscles which are also stretched.

2) The downward position of the pose allows an increased circulation of blood in the body.

3) It improves the digestive system in the body which includes the kidneys, spleen, and liver.

4) It also tones the muscles of the legs and thighs.

11. Ustrasana

Ustrasana or the Camel Pose is an asana which resembles a camel. It is an easy asana to do where one has to bend backward which allows the heart chakra to open up. Ustrasana also increases strength and flexibility in the body. It is ideally done in the morning on an empty stomach and bowel for at least 30 to 60 seconds.

Ustrasana is one of the best yoga asanas for back pain.

How to Do Ustrasana:

1) Knee on your mat while placing your hands on your hips.

2) While ensuring that your shoulders and knees are in the same line, the soles of your feet should face towards the ceiling.

3) As you inhale, draw your tailbone towards your pubis and feel the pull at the navel and arch your back.

4) Slide your palms over your feet gently and straighten your arms while your neck is in a neutral position.

5) Hold the position for at least 30 to 60 seconds and release. Repeat again.

Along with these yoga asanas, it is very important to eat a healthy diet.

Also Read: How to increase height after 18?

Yoga and Increase in Height

The benefits of yoga are only too common as it has had a positive impact on anybody who is a yoga follower. Yoga is a centuries-old style of keeping fit and is evidenced by the holistic fitness level of yoga practitioners. The benefits of yoga are too many but the fact is that it does impact on the height of a person.

• Yoga enables you to remove all the unwanted toxins which collect in your body through its various asanas.
• Yoga increases the blood circulation in the body and helps to clear the digestive system which eventually releases the toxins from inside the body.
• It not only stretched the body but also lengthens it along with different breathing techniques.
• It helps in maintaining a correct posture of the body as it stretches the entire body from top to bottom as well as lengthens the back and leg muscles.
• The entire back is realigned and straightened through different yoga asanas which helps to elongate the body.
• It is not uncommon to say that mental and emotional stress adds to the physical stress in our bodies.
• Yoga is known to reduce stress levels through the deep breathing techniques and meditation.
• All these collectively contribute to the release of growth hormones and cells which in turn helps in the increase of height naturally through yoga.
• Yoga helps to un-tap the potential of growth hormones which does not necessarily stop after you hit puberty. It is imperative that toxins which are built up inside the body are released in order that the body is able to function normally through the growth of hormones and cells.

Science Behind Height Increase

It is pertinent to note that yoga and an increase in the height of a person will only be evident if the correct technique of each and every asana is strictly adhered to. No amount of yoga will be effective if the correct technique is not applied.

Experienced yoga practitioners, as well as a trained instructor, are the best people to learn the correct techniques of yoga. One of the easiest ways of increasing your height is by improving your posture. Yoga can help in strengthening the back as well as the spine which makes a vast difference in your body posture.

The increased blood circulation in the body allows more fluidity and movement of the fluid found around the spinal disks which assists in strengthening the cartilage and the spine. Yoga also aids in enhancing hormone growth in the body through deep breathing exercises and relaxation. Thus, yoga is known to detoxify the mind, body, and soul.

To conclude, we can say that you will find a considerable change in your height if you do these asanas correctly and regularly.