Does cobra pose increase height?

While genetics plays a vital role in determining height, other ways exist to support height growth. One such method is yoga, an ancient practice that might deliver many benefits, including improved posture, increased flexibility, and overall health. Today, we will focus on a simple yoga asana; that is, a cobra pose, popular for increasing height. But is it true? What should we do to gain the best result? The article below will reveal the answer that you are looking for.

Does cobra pose increase height?

First of all, you need to know how to perform the cobra pose correctly.

  • Start by lying flat on your stomach with both legs stretched and the tops of the feet pressing into the mat.
  • Place both hands under your shoulders, with your elbows near your body.
  • Breathe in and gently raise your chest, using your back muscles instead of your arms.
  • Keep your pelvis stable when lifting your chest.
  • Hold your breath for seconds, then breathe out and lower your chest back to the mat.
  • Repeat 3 to 5 times.

When practicing this pose regularly, you can maintain the intervertebral discs’ health and decrease the compression over time due to poor posture and gravity. Although stretching alone cannot result in remarkable height increases, it might promote overall posture, making you look taller.

Let’s explain clearly!

As you know, our posture affects our perceived height. Doing the cobra pose helps strengthen your back muscles and enhance spinal extension, preventing the effects of poor posture and prolonged sitting. Also, opening your chest and pulling back your shoulders while performing this pose might create a look of added height. What’s more, your spinal column is remarkably affected by this yoga pose, leading to a temporary increase in height.

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Is cobra pose suitable for everyone?

The answer is NO because this pose puts pressure on the abdomen. So, if you are pregnant, you should avoid this. Besides, those with back or neck injuries should not practice it without the supervision of a yoga teacher because it might strain the lower back and neck.

How to combine the cobra pose with other yoga asanas for height growth?

Adding the cobra pose to a comprehensive yoga routine might boost its benefits and support posture, flexibility, and overall spinal health best. Because all the poses help target different muscle groups and promote the spine’s elongation. Check out some yoga asanas you should try with the cobra pose to help you get an upright and aligned posture.

Mountain pose

Mountain pose, also known as Tadasana, is effective in stretching all the body’s muscles, as well as increasing blood circulation and growth hormone production.

To perform this pose, you need to stand straight with your head, waist, and legs in a straight line. Keep your hand hanging next to your body and your feet together. Then breathe in and start raising your arms in the upward direction. Stretch the body as much as possible while maintaining your arms and legs straight. Release to the original position gently.

But again, note that if you suffer from insomnia or headaches, you should avoid this pose. Or if your blood pressure is low, do not do it.

Downward dog

Downward dog, or Adho-MukhaSvanasana, is a classic yoga pose that targets the whole body. It also promotes the body’s flexibility and balance, as well as improves blood circulation.

Start on your hands and knees, with your hands shoulder-width apart and knees hip-width apart. Lift your hips and breathe in. Then straighten your legs to create an inverted “V” shape with the body. Relax your head, press your hands into the mat, and maintain your heels grounded until feeling the stretch along your spine.

Camel pose

Camel pose, also known as Ustrasana, is a deep backbend pose that helps extend the whole front body. Hence, this pose is effective in improving posture, supporting the digestion system, stimulating the abdominal organs, and enhancing overall body development.

Let’s start by kneeling on a yoga mat with both knees hip-width apart and the feet pointing straight back. Put both hands on the lower back for support. Breathe in and gently bend back to bring both hands to the kneels. Make sure to keep the neck aligned with the spine and hold this position for seconds. Then return to the starting pose.

Triangle pose

Triangle pose, called Trikonasana, helps strengthen the arms, legs, chest, knees, and ankles. It also extends the calf muscles and hamstrings while opening the hips and chest to support spine alignment.

Let’s begin by standing tall with both feet wide apart. Then turn to the right with your right foot pointing to the right and the left foot pointing straight ahead. Gently bend to the right with the body and extend the left arm towards the sky. Continue stretching the body while keeping the left foot firmly on the floor for seconds. Turn back to the original position.

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How to have healthy nutrition while performing the cobra pose?

We cannot deny that nutrition plays an essential part in supporting our overall growth and development. If you want to maximize the benefits when practicing the cobra pose, you should maintain a balanced diet with the essential nutrients mentioned below.

  • Calcium-rich foods include dairy products (milk, cheese, and yogurt), leafy greens (kale, spinach, and collard greens), fortified foods (plant-based milk and orange juice), and nuts and seeds (almonds, sesame seeds, and chia seeds).
  • Vitamin D-rich foods are easy to find in fatty fish (salmon, sardines, and mackerel), fortified foods, egg yolks, and supplements.
  • Protein-rich foods consist of fish (salmon and tuna), lean meats (chicken, turkey, and lean cuts of beef), dairy products, plant-based proteins (tofu, lentils, beans, and tempeh), and eggs.
  • Magnesium-rich foods are available in whole grains (quinoa, brown rice, and whole-wheat products), leafy greens (kale, swiss chard, and spinach), nuts and seeds (cashews, pumpkin seeds, and almonds), and legumes (chickpeas, lentils, and black beans).
  • Vitamin K-rich foods include vegetables (cabbage and Brussels sprouts), fermented foods, and herbs (basil, cilantro, and parsley).
  • Zinc-rich foods are easy to find in seafood (oysters, lobster, and crab), meat (beef, pork, and chicken), nuts and seeds, and legumes.

Aside from focusing on specific nutrients, you should consume a well-rounded diet, including fruits, vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats, and whole grains. But how?

  • Fill half of your dish with fruits and vegetables for a rich range of vitamins and minerals.
  • Choose whole grains over refined grains for more fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
  • Add healthy fats from nuts, seeds, avocados, and olive oil to your diet.
  • Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily and more if you are active. Also, limit sugar beverages as they might result in poor nutrition.

In the end,

Incorporating the cobra pose into your daily routine might be helpful in case you want to enhance your top and normal posture. Besides, this yoga asana helps improve flexibility, energy, and body alignment, making you feel better, stronger, and healthier. But again, remember that this cobra pose is one of the holistic approaches, not the only one. So, make sure to consume proper nutrients and other yoga poses to promote your height growth.

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