I cannot come anywhere close to sitting on my heels - suggestions?

[Anonymous]

I used to be able to do this years ago, but cannot come anywhere close to sitting on my heels. I have like a foot of space.

I am not overweight, and am actually pretty fit and strong - but I hate stretching, and my lower body is just incredibly tight and stiff. I've also had knee injuries (torn meniscus).

Anyone have luck with increasing their lower body flexibility? Or suggestions? Is this something I might be able to achieve over time? If so, how many months of regular exercises? Or more like years?

[Anonymous]

What is sitting on your heels? What does this mean?

[Anonymous]

Yes, you can achieve it over time. Look up mobility exercises related to the Olympic lifts (clean & jerk and snatch). These require mobility where you go far below parallel while flat-footed. Lots of info on this on youtube.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is sitting on your heels? What does this mean?

Yes. What is that? Like squatting down to your feet? Or like sitting cross cross apple sauce on your feet?

[Anonymous]

I have been doing yoga every day now for six months and it is really helping my flexibility. Maybe try that.

[Anonymous]

I think she means this:



What part isn't moving? Does it hurt your knees, your quads?

Start with your feet flexed, toes on the floor heels up instead of the whole foot flat.

[Anonymous]

So glad you posted this, OP! I have the same problem and just started yoga, where everyone else in the class can do this with no seeming stress. I’m probably more than a foot away from achieving the goal. For me, the pain that prevents the movement is along the top of my feet. The very tight calves on my rather short legs presumably don’t help.

[Anonymous]

Interesting. I can do this no problem. Didn't realize it was a thing.

[Anonymous]

If you have had knee injuries this is not a good thing to force.

[Anonymous]

A normal person should be able to do this, OP.

I'm more flexible than average, but I also have poor circulation, and it's not good for me to sit like that. I try to remember, because I'm Asian and grew up sitting that way.

Go on Youtube, and do stretching videos every day, OP. The good news is that everyone can become more flexible with daily stretching! You know how best to stretch? Don't force it too much, but DO stay in the stretch while you breathe in, then out slowly, and try to relax every part of your body, including the stretched part. It should hurt just a tiny bit but also feel good. This is the most efficient way to become more flexible.

[Anonymous]

I can do that - I just tried — but it’s really uncomfortable. No way I could stay like that for any period of time. Whatever the muscles are on the front of my thighs that are at the knees are really tight. I’m in my late 50s.

[Anonymous]

There are lots of tutorials for this online but one starts with placing a pillow between your butt and calves and starting from there.

[Anonymous]

You might need Physical Therapy.

[Anonymous]

I thought he meant getting into a squat and having your heels be on the floor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have had knee injuries this is not a good thing to force.

I had two knee surgeries (one in each knee) and I completely agree. It's just not that important, honestly. The flexibility is not there in my knee. I can do plenty of other stuff.