For A Taller You
Posted by terrepruitt on August 27, 2013
There are a lot of things I like about yoga, one thing that I really like is that many of the asanas or poses are executed with a lengthening of the spine. In many poses the idea is to reach with the top of your head, or the crown of your head, in the opposite direction of your tailbone. Often the cue is to reach with the crown of your head to the sky while reaching with your tailbone into the earth. I feel as if the reaching and stretching in the opposite directions really help the body be taller.
While standing, sitting, bending the motion or action is to reach. Reach in opposite directions. Create space in between each vertebra. While consciously stretching the backbone, you are pulling your shoulders back and down. Create a long neck by reaching. Push the shoulders away from the ears. The ribs lift upwards, and off and away from the hips.
One motion or thought to help straighten and lengthen is to extend your sternum skyward. This somewhat juts the chest out and the shoulder automatically go back and down. With this as an image there might be some adjusting that needs to take place, but it can help move you in the right direction. With the lengthening of the spine comes the separating of the ribs. Allowing space in between each rib can sometimes help increase lung capacity. If your lungs have more room to move in they might expand further. This all lending to bigger, deeper breaths.
In the Gentle Yoga class I am currently teaching I am continually reminding the students to lengthen their spine. I, myself, have a habit of scrunching. I think I have mentioned this before. I both scrunch my shoulders up to my ears and round my back. I liken my posture to that of a spoon. So it is very easy for me to fall into that even while I am leading a class because I begin to shift my concentration. So the reminder is for all of us. A reminder is nice because then you can check to make certain you are doing all the things involved in lengthening the spine. Although sometimes I feel a bit repetitive, I think it is worth it. In addition to myself I usually see at least one participant make an adjustment.
In Nia while we might not always be lengthening and reaching with our spine throughout an entire routine there is often at least a moment. If not in one of the dances itself in the cool down or the floorplay. I often include imaging space in between each vertebra as we sit or bend over in a stretch. The Nia routing might not include yoga poses by the idea of it is included. Part of the yoga inclusion “is the conscious alignment of bones and joints”* While lengthening the spine we are lining up the bones and the joints. Our posture is intact.
I really enjoy the growing taller sensation that yoga can offer through a variety of asanas where we are reaching and lengthening. To me it makes for a taller me.
Do you sense you are taller after doing yoga? Do you sense your spine is more straight after yoga? Do you do a pose that really has you feeling you are taller after?
*The Nia Technique, page 276. A yoga focus.
Terre Pruitt's Blog 
saminaiqbal27 said
Very informative article. I have felt very comfortable while stretching out for yoga poses but I never knew these poses can help make you feel and look taller. Thanks for sharing a very enlightening educational post.
LikeLike
terrepruitt said
Well, maybe they don’t make YOU feel taller. 🙂 They make ME feel taller. I think that just by stretching the back bone in opposite directions there is a sense of “taller” because you are lengthening it. But maybe you don’t get the sensation of taller? Or maybe you had not thought of it before?
Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Someone posted something on FB that had to do with the Canadian Police yesterday and I thought of you! 🙂
LikeLike
saminaiqbal27 said
Thanks for thinking of me when you read about Canadian police on FB. I bragged to my hubby about it and he smiled.
LikeLike
terrepruitt said
I think it is interesting how people we probably will never meet face to face, but who we interact with, cross our minds! When I come across “police stuff” I think of you! Now when I try a recipe I will probably think of you too! 🙂
LikeLike
saminaiqbal27 said
It is wonderful to be virtual friends. Yes police stuff and recipes are my passions. Thanks, and of course when I will try any recipe I will think of you who also gives yoga tips and Nia which I must explore. Have a great day.
LikeLike
terrepruitt said
Nia – oh, yes, if you like to move and dance you just might like Nia. There IS Nia in Canada. I am not sure where you are in relation to it, but I know it is there! 🙂
LikeLike
saminaiqbal27 said
I live in Vancouver, British Columbia. People here are health and exercise freaks so I think I will explore it or if you know let me know. Thanks.
LikeLike
terrepruitt said
According to the Nia website there are at least 17 classes in Vancouver. So, cool. You might find one that fits in with your schedule! Cheers!
LikeLike
saminaiqbal27 said
WOW! Thanks for the information. I will find out about the locations. Thanks so much.
LikeLike
terrepruitt said
Perhaps this link will work: http://www.nianow.com/find/classes?country=ca&state=&city=vancouver&days=All&field_nia_class_type_value_many_to_one=All
LikeLike
saminaiqbal27 said
Yes the link works and I have looked at them. These are all beautiful locations. Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate your taking the time to find this information for me. Take care.
LikeLike
terrepruitt said
🙂 One of my goals is to promote Nia. Yes, I would like for everyone to come to MY classes . . . but I know that is not possible so go to any class in the world! Yay! I really just want to share it with people, it is THAT fun!
LikeLike
saminaiqbal27 said
Sharing is so much fun. Thanks again for all the help. Take care and have a lovely weekend.
LikeLike
terrepruitt said
🙂
LikeLike