You can make a subconscious decision to cross your legs or lock your ankles but sitting with straight legs works best for most situations.
Man sitting cross legged on floor.
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The best sitting position.
Sitting on the floor on the other hand requires your spine to be straight and your shoulders to be pushed back and relaxed which naturally corrects poor posture.
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Backs weak abdominal muscles and stiff inflexible aching hips to name only a few.
For optimum health try to avoid sitting in any one position whether you cross your legs or not for long periods of time.
Sitting with bent legs can be done with the legs mostly parallel or by crossing them over each other.
Last medically reviewed on december 8 2017.
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Meditating man sitting cross legged on floor training mat and ball.
A common cross legged position is with the lower part of both legs folded towards the body crossing each other at the ankle or calf with both ankles on the floor sometimes with the feet tucked under the knees or thighs.
Some exercises you can do while sitting cross legged to make sitting cross legged and bending forwards easier.
Keeping your legs planted on the floor with the knees 11 24 inches apart is the most open least defensive and least intimidating position.
Having your feet crossed over each other but your knees wide apart usually while sitting on.
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On the other hand sitting in a cross legged position on the floor strengthens the lower.