What is the alternative to crossing legs?

Author: Berry Hermiston  |  Last update: Saturday, August 2, 2025

Alternatively, try holding a butterfly stretch (knees pointed out with your feet touching in front of your body) or stretch your legs out and cross them at your ankles instead, suggests Dr. Walter.

How to break the habit of crossing legs?

Practice Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness or relaxation techniques to help reduce any anxiety or discomfort that may lead you to cross your legs. Deep breathing or meditation can be beneficial. Gradual Change: Instead of trying to stop immediately, gradually reduce the amount of time you spend crossing your legs.

How to do yoga if you can't cross your legs?

  1. Sit on the floor.
  2. Bend your knees.
  3. Bring the soles of your feet together.
  4. Pull your feet as close to your groin as possible.
  5. Fold forward and place your fingertips on the floor.
  6. Walk your fingertips forward until you can't fold any further.
  7. Relax everything (legs, back, neck, head, arms)

What is Indian style sitting called now?

Indian style sit refers to a grounded seating position where individuals sit with their legs crossed. This position is also commonly known as “cross-legged” or the “lotus position.” Incorporating traditional elements into daily activities, Indian style sitting has garnered global recognition for its benefits.

Why can I no longer sit Indian style?

When you sit cross-legged, your body weight lies on the glutes and if your glutes are not strong enough, the area will start to feel numb. For this, you need to indulge in exercises that are good for your glutes. If you cannot do that, ensure that you get up every other hour and walk to improve your blood circulation.

Why You Can't Sit Cross Legged (And How to Fix It)

What is another name for Criss Cross applesauce?

Synonyms
  • cross-legged.
  • Indian style.
  • tailor-fashion.

Why can't I sit cross-legged anymore?

The psoas and hip flexors tighten from overuse, too much sitting, or poor posture. Over time, this make it difficult to come into a seated cross-legged position.

How do you meditate if you can't cross your legs?

On a cushion or blanket on the floor

If it helps, you can lean against the wall or a sturdy piece of furniture. Put a soft pillow or two behind your lower back to make sure your spine is straight, in an upright position. If sitting cross-legged bothers your knees, stretch your legs out in front of you.

Why do I habitually cross my legs?

It's a learned behavior that morphs into a habit, although the act of crossing legs can be seen as a power move in certain settings, such as business or politics. Depending on the context, sitting cross-legged can mean a person is either relaxed or defensive.

Does crossing your legs tighten your hips?

The more time you spend sitting with your legs crossed, sitting on your feet, or standing with your toes pointed out, the more you tighten your hips' powerful external rotator muscles, such as your piriformis.

What does crossing legs indicate?

Your leg crossing can give away whether you're relaxed and confident or defensive and nervous. A person's leg crossing manner can reveal a variety of characteristics, such as ambition and stubbornness, as well as whether they are an extrovert or an introvert.

How to train yourself to stop crossing legs?

Try this tips to stop sitting with crossed legs:
  1. Get up and move every 30 minutes.
  2. Stand up and stretch if you've been sitting for more than 30 minutes.
  3. Sit with your feet supported on a small footrest of some kind under your desk.

What is the alternative to sitting cross-legged in yoga?

Other postures

People who find sitting cross-legged uncomfortable can sit upright on a straight-backed chair, flat-footed and without back support, with the hands resting on the thighs, in what is sometimes called the Egyptian position.

What tool is used to stop crossing legs?

Leg separator. Prevent the feet and lower legs from crossing the midline and guide the child to a more neutral walking pattern.

Can you do yoga if you can't cross your legs?

If the reason for not being able to sit cross legged is a knee problem, then as Fiji mentioned, propping the knee up or Vajrasana pose are alternatives.

Why can't I cross my legs without them going numb?

If you've ever sat cross-legged for a little too long, you may know what it feels like for a leg to “fall asleep.” This phenomenon is an indication of poor circulation. When related to body position, the tingling sensation caused by the interruption in blood flow lasts only a few minutes.

What is the Burmese leg position?

There are several different leg positions that are possible while seated cross-legged. The first and simplest is the Burmese position, in which the legs are crossed and both feet rest flat on the floor. The knees should also rest on the floor, though sometimes it takes a bit of stretching for the legs to drop that far.

Why do people with ADHD sit with their legs up?

Frequent movement and adjustments are commonly observed among individuals with ADHD, as reflected by their various ADHD sitting positions. These postures serve the purpose of enabling fidgeting or motion to aid in maintaining focus and regulating hyperactivity.

What do Americans call sitting cross-legged?

The history of the phrase “Indian style” goes back to the 1950s and 1960s when the term became popular. In Western films, Native Americans were often shown sitting on the ground with their legs crossed.

Is sitting cross-legged healthy?

The longer and more often you sit cross-legged, the more likely it is that you'll have long-term changes in the muscle lengths and bone arrangements in your pelvis. And due to the way your skeleton is linked together, leg crossing can also cause misalignment of the spine and shoulders.

Why do tailors sit cross-legged?

This term originated several centuries ago, when tailors used to sew all clothing by hand. Back then, tailors often sat cross-legged on the table across from their sewing machine. This prevented any cloth or material from falling onto the ground. This position also made it easier to work with heavier material.

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