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How can I improve comfort in cross legged yoga positions?

14 replies

Sausagenbacon · 04/08/2026 09:02

I sparodically start following Adrienne yoga, and enjoy it. But, sooner or later, give up because so much time is spent in a cross legged posture.
I can hold it briefly, but not for the amount of time needed.
Can anyone recommend what i can do to address this?

OP posts:
Thebinisrightthere · 04/08/2026 09:27

I'm the same. Often in my yoga classes the instructor will say to just sit in whatever position is comfortable for you

Fifthtimelucky · 04/08/2026 10:16

I can’t sit cross legged because my arthritic hip doesn’t allow it. My yoga instructor suggested I just sit with stretched out in a V shape, which works fine.

TokyoSushi · 04/08/2026 10:17

Have you tried sitting on a block, that can help if the the hips are elevated a bit

Sausagenbacon · 04/08/2026 10:21

I have tried sitting on a block, and with my legs in a v shape, but both become very uncomfortable pretty quickly. It's just that my torso can't sit upright unless I'm in a chair.
My hips just don't work that way!

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SilkRoads · 04/08/2026 10:24

You can improve your range of hip motion but it takes time. Meanwhile it's fine to sit in tailor pose or on blocks or any comfortable way. Forcing yourself into crossed legs when you are not ready will mess up your alignment and end up going into your back- not good.

taxi4ballet · 04/08/2026 10:36

You are right when you say your hips just aren't made that way. I find it extremely uncomfortable to sit cross-legged or in the frog position (I hated school assembly with a passion), and everyone else I know seems to be able to sit with their knees out sideways and on the floor. Nope. No can do.

It is because of the configuration of the ball and socket joints in your hips and there comes a point where no amount of stretching will change the shape of bone!

In ballet circles it is known as turnout, and everyone has a different range. DD and I are on opposite ends of that range. She's hypermobile, I'm very much not.

NorthFacingGardener · 04/08/2026 10:40

Try a block, with a cushion on top to make it higher.

Which bit is uncomfortable.. is it your hips, or is it your back/core?

I always find it very humbling to be reminded of how little core strength I have personally, such that I am unable to hold my own body up for long periods!

If it is your hips and you feel they are just not made that way then maybe just do it for a couple of mins and then swap to kneeling for seated poses?

lunar1 · 04/08/2026 10:46

I do Pilates not yoga, but the cross legged parts I use a block, I needed two at first and have reduced it, I still find it tricky to keep my posture that way, but my instructor will always how adaptations if needed. Luckily you don’t stay there too long in Pilates.

Sausagenbacon · 04/08/2026 10:47

Thanks for the advice, but adding to blocks doesn't work.
My hips just don't work that way.
Perhaps because I'm overweight, kneeling doesn't work either.
All this sounds very defeatist but surely there must be a yoga guide out there without lots of sitting on the floor.

OP posts:
backformoreofthesame · 04/08/2026 10:50

Does it work if you Lift your bum up high and then have two blocks on which you rest your knees ?

most sitting things with Adrienne you can do on a chair

SilkRoads · 04/08/2026 10:53

Could you sit with legs straight out in front? Alternatively just substitute something else- if the sitting poses are to calm the nervous system at the start you could stand instead or do child's pose, if it's a twist you could do a supine twist etc etc.

Another option is chair yoga- I'd be surprised if Adrienne didn't have a video.

Sausagenbacon · 04/08/2026 11:01

I definately can't sit with my legs straight out in front.
If posters think it's ok to do those sections in a chair i guess i'll have to do that.
I like the idea of child's pose though, i'll try that

OP posts:
NorthFacingGardener · 04/08/2026 15:49

I do find Adrienne is quite heavy on the seated postures to be fair. I go to an in person class and there are very few seated postures.

Have you tried Jessamyn Stanley videos?

Sausagenbacon · 04/08/2026 16:27

No, is she worth trying?

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