I can’t sit cross legged

[Whattherapy2020]

What exercise or activities should I do to practise. ?

Why can’t you? Is it uncomfortable or you physically can’t?

which part is stopping you? knees hurting or won't bend enough? hips stiff and won't turn out? will try to give some suggestions if I can

Why not? Pain, lack of flexibility?

My dad has never been able to sit cross legged as an adult. I always found it very bizarre

Ooh I can’t either . For me it’s stiff hips which don’t turn out. But they never have even as a child doing ballet and gymnastics . I couldn’t do the simple ballet 1st position. My feet just wouldn’t point outwards. And in gymnastics I could do one leg in front splits but not box splits. I think it’s my physiology. And now I’m even worse.

Will give you varicose veins, don't do it.

That's if you are talking about crossing one leg over the other at the knee when sitting down, not some mad yoga position, lol.

@AteAllTheAfterEights

Why can’t you? Is it uncomfortable or you physically can’t?

Both of these 😀. It really hurts if I try. My back kills. Not sure if that’s because I’m doing something wrong or because I’m not flexible enough.

Have you ever been able to?

@dancinfeet

which part is stopping you? knees hurting or won't bend enough? hips stiff and won't turn out? will try to give some suggestions if I can

My knees are knackered so it hurts when I try, I think that means maybe I’m not doing it right. My hips are stiff and my back hurts. I am fat though, would that be a factor. ? I am trying to address that. Honestly I’m a mess and falling apart. 😀

Me neither. I get terrible back pain and my thighs kill. When I try to cross my legs I end up like the way a bloke sits, foot resting on my other knee. I'd never be a royal, the way they sit with one leg crossed right over and resting alongside the other leg neatly.

I used to be able to, along time ago. I’m a lot fatter and inflexible now. I would like to be able to sit for up to half an hour, or even 15 minutes while I meditate. But I can’t now and sit there thinking god this hurts when I should be meditating.

I have never been able to sit cross legged even as a child. I haven't ever been able to bend over and touch my toes - my knees are my limit.

Used to be a Christmas game in our house. Sit cross legged and fold arms, and stand from that position without moving arms. Still gets rolled out now and at nearly age 40 I piss my younger siblings off by still being able to do it. Dh just rolls over.....

I've never been able to sit cross legged. My right hip just doesn't rotate enough. The left one's fine. I remember it being a pain in assemblies when you're all sat on the floor. I kind of had to gather my knees in the crooks of my elbows and felt like I was going to topple back all the time.

If you just want to improve flexibility then yoga is great and pretty much all poses can be adapted to suit your body. Plus many classes end with some meditation, either sitting or my favourite, lying down 😊

@Whattherapy2020 without knowing your medical history it's difficult and probably risky to give you suggestions, as it may do more harm than good. The key thing is, whatever posture you do, if your body experiences pain it's a sure fire thing, it isn't right for you. Mild tightness or aching, which goes away as soon as you stop, is OK.

You may need to start out with adaptations to sitting cross-legged, maybe try a less harsh posture on your hips such as Virasana (Hero Pose). It can be adapted with a bolster, or cushions, to get you started, then as time goes by, with regular practice, it will start to get easier.

yogainternational.com/article/view/six-virasana-variations

Can someone describe this "cross legged" position for me. Is it like a yoga position or one leg across the other at the knees when sitting down. Thanks .

I am fat and old bit can only sit cross legged as I always have. I think it is a muscle memory thing.

@daisychain01 thank you. Will check out links.

@saltycat

Can someone describe this "cross legged" position for me. Is it like a yoga position or one leg across the other at the knees when sitting down. Thanks .

Like what you do when you had to sit on the floor at school for assembly.

@saltycat



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Trying again

Watch out for hero pose if your knees are problematic. I can sit cross-legged no problem, but can only do hero for about 2 seconds before my knees complain. But you may be fine with it.

My dd can't - never has been able to do it comfortably / properly. She's only 18 and fairly fit and not carrying weight. She can't touch her toes from standing either.

DH and I practice yoga everyday and have done so for a long time. Despite this he cannot fully cross his legs, his knees won’t allow it 🤷🏻‍♀️