Pilates is well-known for helping people appear to be taller. It does so in a number of ways. First, there is no better way to maximize the height you do have than to call upon good posture. When you stand tall, and move with grace and ease, you give the impression of being taller. Not only do Pilates exercises teach the alignment of good posture, they provide the core strength that supports it. And, Pilates helps you carry that alignment and support into daily life movement. One might argue that good posture does increase height, practically if not clinically.
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The core support that Pilates develops is key to helping the body resist gravity, relieving compression in the spine and hips. Revealing the full amount of space one has available in the vertebrae and hip joints is another way to increase height. Even if that increase is measured in centimeters, the effect is huge. It allows you to move with ones full height and with a level of freedom that gives the impression that you are long and tall. Decompression of the spine through core support is also one of the reasons why Pilates works for back pain.
It is also significant that one of the great benefits of Pilates training is that makes people feel tall. This benefit is consistently reported by people who do Pilates regularly, and it comes about very quickly. Even beginners report a new-found sense of length and height. When you feel tall, you look tall. Not only that but when you are fit and healthy, you radiate energy well beyond the bounds of your physical body.
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If you are short, you do not need to be worried about starting Pilates. There are no size limitations. It works for everyone. You can always do Pilates mat exercises, and the Pilates equipment in studios is adaptable to varying heights as well.
It is also good to note that while Pilates will not make your bones longer, Pilates can strengthen your bones. As a varied and weight-bearing exercise, Pilates can help prevent osteoporosis and the skeletal shrinking and postural problems that come with it.
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