Increase the height of your side kick

Sang H. Kim, author Ultimate Flexiblity, suggests a simple set of exercises to increase the height of your side kick:

1) Do horse riding stance in comfortable position - 1 minute
2) Do horse riding stance in a deep stance (without knee pain) - 2 sets of 30 seconds
3) Squat down and hold your ankles breathing deeply - 2 sets of 30 seconds
4) From #3 posture, put both hands on the floor in front of you, slide your right foot to the right all the way and stretch your right leg, then bring back the right leg and repeat to the left with your left leg - 2 sets of 30 seconds each side
5) Have a rest for 30 seconds - walk around while breathing deeply. You may shake your legs and ankles occasionally to loosen up the muscles and joints.
6) Hold a stable bar, chair or table, and do a slow raising right side kick. Hold in the air as long as you can. Repeat the left side the same way-minimum 3 sets of 15 seconds on both sides.
7) Finish by practicing your normal side kick in the air or to a heavy bag.

I recommend doing the above 3 times a week for 12 weeks. It is important to know your limits and progress from there. Monitor your progress weekly. You may keep a journal and see what you accomplish in about 3 months.