Sitting with the legs crossed is something many people do. If you have any back, hip, or knee problems, it may be best for you to try to break this habit and there’s a few reasons why.

1. It creates an imbalance in the pelvis. When you sit with let’s say the right leg crossed over the left, the right side of the pelvis shifts higher than the left. This creates an uneven alignment throughout the lower spine that translates all the way up to the neck. Anatomical imbalances such as these, particularly when prolonged or sustained, can eventually contribute to dysfunctional posture and pain. Sciatica, sacroiliac instability, and low back pain can be caused or exacerbated by this way of sitting.

2. You probably always cross the same leg on top. The majority of people always cross the same leg on top. It’s a habit, the body gets used to it, and the muscles around the hips, knees, and pelvis change in response to this. This also applies to when you sit cross legged on the floor. If you sit down on the floor without thinking about it, then change which leg is positioned in front, it will most likely be a very obvious difference in how comfortable you are. (I always have students in my yoga classes switch which leg is in front to create better balance in the body.)

3. Crossing the legs places strain on the knees. When the leg that’s crossed is positioned with the top knee out to the side and the ankle resting on the opposite knee, the ligaments on the knee can be stressed. There can be compression of the cartilage within the knee which can also be damaging over time.

4. Circulation is compromised when the legs are crossed. The compression that occurs from the legs being crossed makes it more difficult for the veins to return blood from the legs back to the heart. This is why the legs can sometimes be felt to “fall asleep” if the legs are crossed for prolonged periods.This can be problematic especially for individuals with vascular disease, diabetes, and other problems with circulation.

So if you find that you cross your legs and you’re having a hard time breaking the habit, be aware of your body and switch which way you cross periodically to restore symmetry and reduce your likelihood of pain or injury.