Unexpected benefits of sitting cross-legged

Sitting cross-legged on the floor helps maintain lower body strength, keeping the spine aligned and healthier.

The cross-legged sitting position in yoga creates a feeling of relaxation, reduces stress, and can affect the muscles of the hips, knees, and back. Below are the specific benefits.

Relieves stress on hip muscles

Sitting in a chair for long periods of time can cause tight hips, affecting your ability to walk, your stability, and your balance. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, lowering both knees to the right side and pressing them to the floor for a few minutes can help support the hip muscles and reduce tension.

Improve posture

Sitting cross-legged on the floor helps align the joints to maintain balance and encourages the body to keep the back straight, limiting hunching, reducing neck and back pain.

Sitting cross-legged also reflects problems with the muscles in the body. People with weak gluteal muscles often feel numbness and loss of sensation in the buttocks quickly. Weak thighs, lack of firmness, or poor blood circulation can cause numbness in the legs.

Sitting cross-legged on the floor can stretch the muscles of the back, hips, and ankles. Photo: Freepik

Increased flexibility

When you sit cross-legged on the floor, the muscles in your knees, hips, and ankles are stretched. This makes everyday movements easier, builds strength and flexibility, and reduces the risk of muscle strain and injury.

Live longer

According to a 2016 study by Pennsylvania State University (USA), people who sat on the floor in a cross-legged position (Sukhasana or Padmasana) and could stand up without any support were more likely to live longer. Scientists explained that this position requires a lot of strength and it creates flexibility to stand up from that position.

More muscle activity

Sitting on the floor requires more muscle activity in the lower body than sitting in a chair. Therefore, this posture helps protect people from the harmful effects of inactivity.

To sit cross-legged on the floor correctly, each person should sit on a pillow to reduce discomfort in the tailbone and align the pelvis with the spine. Avoid slouching, keep the back straight when sitting.

People with circulatory problems such as varicose veins, edema, or who are pregnant or have knee injuries should not sit cross-legged.

Huyen My (According to India Express, Times, Livestrong )

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