Sitting cross-legged, or “Indian style”, is natural if you’re on the floor, or if you feel fidgety in your chair.
However, sitting Indian style can feel a bit too comfortable at times, and you may be tempted to sit this way all day long!
But is this healthy for you and your back? And is it OK to sit Indian-style all day?
We have found that it is not healthy to sit Indian style all day—this is due to the fact that it’s not healthy to sit in any position for long periods of time.
Sitting Indian style is perfectly fine, and it actually has many benefits for your back, as long as you stretch and move every 30 minutes.
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Is It OK to Sit Indian Style All Day?
No, it’s not OK to sit Indian style all day long!
However, that’s because it’s not OK to sit in any position for a whole day!
Our bodies weren’t made to sit around and be static—they were made to be active and constantly moving.
When we sit down for hours at a time, our joints grow stiff, which can lead to early arthritis. This can also lead to weak muscles, further limiting your ability to move properly.
So no, it’s not alright to sit Indian style all day long, but that’s not because of anything about sitting Indian style in particular! It has to do with staying in one position for that long.
How Long Is It Okay to Sit Indian Style?
In general, it is alright to sit in one position for 30 minutes before moving around or changing your position.
Experts suggest that if you work at a desk, you should take a 5-minute walk after sitting for 30 minutes, and at least a 10-minute walk after sitting for an hour.
If you can’t leave your desk for a walk, you can change your sitting position or do seated stretches and exercises that will get your muscles working!
Is Sitting Indian Style Better for Your Back?
Sitting Indian style is better for your back and other parts of your body.
In terms of back benefits, sitting Indian style means:
- Your lower back is closer to the floor and needs less support.
- Your spine curves correctly.
- Your pelvis is in a more natural position.
All of these benefits lead to good posture and stronger muscles!
Sitting Indian style also develops your thigh and core muscles. It also increases your joint flexibility—especially in your hips, knees, and ankles.
What Is the Right Way to Sit Indian Style?
Now that we’ve covered the advantages of sitting Indian style, how do we do it properly?
To sit Indian style the right way, follow these steps:
- Sit on the floor with your legs straight out.
- Bend your non-dominant leg so that your foot is near your pelvis.
- Bend your dominant leg in the same way.
- Take your non-dominant foot and tuck it under the skin of your dominant leg. It should be tucked away comfortably, with no pressure on it.
You can also sit Indian style on , which you can easily buy from Amazon! All you have to do is sit in the center and tuck your legs the same way on the lower part of the chair.
What Does It Mean if It Hurts to Sit Indian Style?
If it hurts to sit Indian style, you may have weak or tight muscles that prevent you from doing or sitting up straight in the position.
There are three main issues that you may encounter when sitting Indian style: pain in the hips, pain in the knees, and an inability to sit up straight.
How Do I Stop Pain in the Hips?
If you have pain in your hips when you try to sit Indian style, you likely have tight hip flexors.
To stretch out your hip flexors, follow these easy steps:
- Kneel on the floor.
- Put one foot forward until the knee is bent at 90 degrees. Make sure your hips are facing forward.
- Push your knee forward so that it goes past your toes.
- Hold this position for 30 seconds.
- Repeat on the other side.
How Do I Stop Pain in the Knees?
If you feel pain in your knees when you try to sit Indian style, you likely have weak or tight glutes!
To stretch out your glutes, follow these easy steps:
- Lie down on your back and bend your knees, so your feet are flat on the floor.
- Lift one leg.
- Hug it to your chest.
- If you have a very sensitive knee, you can hold the back of your thigh and pull it towards you.
- Hold this position for 30 seconds.
- Repeat on the other side.
How Do I Sit Up Straight?
If you find yourself going back to slouching even when you practice good posture, you likely have weak or tight pelvic floor muscles.
To strengthen and stretch your pelvic floor muscles, follow these steps:
- Lie down on your back and bend your knees, so your feet are flat on the floor.
- Push your belly button into the floor so that your back is flat against the floor.
- Hold for 3 to 5 seconds.
- Relax so your back goes back to its natural S-curve.
- Repeat for at least 1 minute.
Conclusion
It’s not alright to sit all day, no matter what position it is—including Indian style!
To keep your body healthy, you should get up, stretch, and move for 5 minutes after sitting for 30 minutes.
Sitting Indian style is actually better for your back since it promotes a more natural curve in your spine—it’s also better for your joints and muscles.
To correctly sit Indian style, pull your feet towards your pelvis and tuck one foot under the opposite shin until you’re comfortable.
If it hurts to sit Indian style, you may have tight or weak muscles. This can be fixed by doing exercises that stretch and strengthen your muscles.
We hope that this article helped you learn more about how to sit Indian style without hurting yourself!
My name is Vance, and I am the owner of To Ergonomics. Our mission is to improve your workflow by helping you create a supportive and welcoming environment. We hope that you’ll find what you’re looking for while you’re here.