How do splits affect your height?

One popular theory is that doing splits can increase your height by stretching your spine and lengthening your legs. The logic behind it is that the spine is made up of vertebrae that can compress over time, leading to a shorter stature. By doing splits, you are extending the muscles surrounding your spine, which may decompress the vertebrae and increase your height.

Additionally, this stretching exercise can help promote flexibility, resulting in better posture and a more elongated appearance. Poor posture can cause your spine to compress, making you appear shorter than you are. By improving your posture through splits and other exercises, you may be able to stand taller.

So, do splits make you taller?

In fact, doing stretching and flexibility exercises, like splits, can improve posture and make you appear taller. In terms of height increase, splits might not change the length of your bones.

Should you continue practicing them daily?

Of course, yes since it delivers many great health benefits for your overall health and well-being.

What are the benefits of doing splits daily?

Improve posture

As mentioned above, this exercise is a great way to improve your posture. As you work to achieve the right splits position, you are engaging your core muscles and aligning your spine, allowing you to maintain good posture.

Increase strength

While it may not seem like it, doing splits requires a great deal of strength, especially in the core and leg muscles. By practicing them frequently, you can strengthen these muscles and improve your overall physical performance.

Promote flexibility

Performing this stretching exercise regularly helps extend your muscles and joints to their maximum range of motion, making it easier to perform other physical activities that require flexibility. Improved flexibility also aids in preventing injuries since your muscles will be better able to handle the strain of sudden movements or impacts.

Boost range of motion

As you stretch your legs and hips to achieve the splits position, you are working to boost the mobility of your hip joint. This increased range of motion can make it easier to perform activities that require lateral movement, such as running, jumping, or cutting.

Reduce stress

Stretching, in general, is known to help lessen stress and tension in your body. The deep stretches involved in splits might release your tight muscles and relieve tension in your hips, glutes, and lower back. This can result in an overall feeling of relaxation.

Enhance body awareness

Since you must pay close attention to the position of your legs, hips, and core while practicing splits, you can increase your overall body awareness. As a result, this might lead to an increase in your coordination and balance in other physical activities.

Improve mental focus

You need to focus your mind on the task at hand and block out distractions to engage in a proper split. Relying on that, you might improve your ability to concentrate and stay focused in other areas of your life, such as work or school.

A step-by-step guideline for doing splits

Step 1 – Warm-up

Warming up your muscles before carrying out any exercise is a must to prevent injury. Start with a few minutes of light cardio, such as jogging or jumping jacks, followed by some dynamic stretching, like lunges or leg swings.

Step 2 – Extend your hamstrings

Sit on the floor with both legs stretched in front of you. Slowly reach forward and try to reach your toes while keeping your legs as straight as possible. Hold for 30 seconds, and then release. Repeat this stretch a few times on each leg.

Step 3 – Stretch your hip flexors

Kneel on the floor with one leg extended in front of you and the other on the floor. Slowly lean forward until you feel a stretch in the front of your hip. Make sure to keep your back straight at the same time. Maintain this position for 30 seconds, return to the starting position, and repeat.

Step 4 – Practice your splits position

Stand with one leg in front of the other, with your feet about hip-width apart. Slide your remaining foot back as far as you can while keeping both legs straight. Hold this position for a few seconds and then turn back to the initial position. Do it again on each leg.

Step 5 – Work on your middle split

Sit on the floor with both legs stretched to the sides and move your legs out as far as possible. Make sure you feel a stretch in your inner thighs and then maintain this position for a few seconds. Release and repeat a couple of times.

Step 6 – Use props

If you are struggling to reach a full split, you can use props to support your body. For example, you can use yoga blocks or a chair to hold up your hands and maintain your balance. Or avail a folded blanket or cushion to support your hips and make the stretch more comfortable.

Step 7 – Practice regularly

Finally, you need to perform your splits regularly to improve your flexibility and technique. Aim to do them a few times a week, and then increase the amount of time you spend.

Things to consider

The splits are a challenging stretch that requires careful consideration to ensure you perform them safely and effectively.

• Listening to your body when doing the splits is vital. If you feel any pain or discomfort, stop and reassess your position. Avoid pushing yourself too hard or too fast, and always work within your limits. Remember that flexibility takes time and patience, and progress may be slow.

• Proper alignment plays a vital role in preventing injury and maximizing the benefits of the stretch. Make sure your hips are squared, your knees are facing forward, and your feet are flexed. Keep your back straight and avoid hunching over as well. If you are unsure, consider taking a class or consulting with a yoga teacher or a personal trainer.

• Doing proper splits needs time and patience. Do not rush and force your body. Start with easier variations and then progress to the full splits position. And always take breaks and rest if you feel uncomfortable.

• After finishing, you should cool down and stretch your muscles to prevent soreness and stiffness. Try some gentle yoga poses, like child pose or pigeon pose, to help your muscles recover.

To sum up,

Doing splits helps target several muscle groups, including the hamstrings, hip flexors, and inner thighs, and can help improve posture and balance. By stretching these muscle groups regularly, you can create more space in your joints and muscles, which can help improve circulation, reduce tension, and promote better alignment. All of these factors can contribute to better overall physical health and may support growth in an indirect way.

So, why not give it a try? Your body and mind will thank you.

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