| Pilates was invented by Joseph Pilates who was born | | | | grow taller: |
| in Germany in the 1800's. Pilates was a sickly child and | | | | 1) Forward Bend: Stand with feet more than hip-width |
| as a result of his predisposition to illness dedicated his | | | | apart. Raise your arms t above your head and overlap |
| life to making himself a stronger, healthier individual. As | | | | your hands. Bend at the hips and touch the floor with |
| a result, he came to be an avid belief that bad posture | | | | your hands while keeping a straight back. This |
| and poor breathing was the cause of many illnesses. | | | | exercise elongates the spine and therefore stops your |
| He developed a system of breathing and stretching | | | | vertebrae from collapsing on top of one another. |
| exercise called Pilates which became popular in the | | | | 2) Warrior Pose: Although this pose comes from |
| dancer and gymnast community, but then spread to | | | | Yoga, some Pilate's studios incorporate it also. Stand |
| the overall community. Today, there are Pilates studios | | | | with feet 4-5 feet apart and raise your arms over |
| all over the world. | | | | your head. Turn your left foot 90 degrees left and right |
| Although not scientifically proven, many who practice | | | | foot by 45 degrees also to the left. Bend your left |
| Pilates are convinced that it has given them an inch or | | | | knee. Make sure that the knee is directly above your |
| more of additional height. This is because Pilates works | | | | foot. Raise both hands - palms should be facing inward |
| a lot on posture. As we age and especially if we have | | | | and fingers are outstretched. Repeat. This exercise will |
| bad posture, our posture tends to suffer making us | | | | make you grow taller. |
| appear shorter than we are. Through constant | | | | 3) Breast Stroke Prep: This exercise prepares you for |
| stretching and focus on posture, proponents of Pilates | | | | the full breaststroke. Lie down with your belly to the |
| find that they stand taller and therefore measure as | | | | belly down to the mat. Bend your arms so that the |
| taller on the growth chart. It therefore appears that | | | | hands rest just above the shoulders. Your head and |
| you have grown taller. | | | | chest should be extended off the mat. Arms may also |
| There are three Pilates exercises that will make you | | | | reach upward while head and chest are lifted. |