52 and can do quite easily from squatting position but not cross-legged. Does the method matter?

I used to be able to do this easily but I have had some bad knee issues and I cannot put weight on them while they are in a deep bend without my IT band snapping over my knee cap, essentially paralyzing me with intense pain until it snaps back. I am exceedingly careful now getting up and going to the floor, as if I were 80. I need to work out more and regain the strength I lost after the last surgery though. Until then I was in very good shape, could still do the splits, hold a 4 minute plank, etc. With age the most stunning thing is just how quickly it goes to put and how hard it is to bounce back.

I just did and made my husband do it. We followed these instructions from the Time article: "In an area free of debris, stand with one foot crossed in front of the other. Without holding on to anything (unless you feel very unsteady), bend your knees and lower yourself to the floor until you’re sitting in a cross-legged position. Now, from the same cross-legged position, lean forward with your hands outstretched in front of you for balance, and rise off the floor—if possible, without placing your hands or knees on the floor or using anything else for support."

We were both able to do it. I am 43 and in pretty good shape. I am a former ballet dancer though have lost most of my dancer flexibility at this point, so it's good to know I've retained good functional flexibility. I also rehabbed a back injury last year and still do PT for it, which I think actually worked in my favor -- rehab for lower back is very focused on core strength, and I think good core strength (not just abs but glutes, pelvic floor, hip flexors, etc.) is very important to this task.

My husband is 45 and also did it. At first getting back up seemed impossible to him but I showed him how to reach his arms forward and use momentum, and he popped right up. There is a little bit of technique involved. Again, having decent core strength is useful because it makes it easier to generate that momentum without having to rock backwards.

I'm 43, and Japanese (culture of sitting on the floor, where women are taught to get up from kneeling without using hands, because they’re carrying trays and such).

Sitting/kneeling? Without a second thought, since my hands are often full anyway.
Lying down? I prefer to use knees and hands, but sometimes for fun I do it without. Abs!

Anonymous wrote:Yes, sitting down and standing up, no hands, knees, or arms. I'm only 35, but I'm in chemically-induced menopause and have full-blown osteoporosis (thanks, breast cancer treatment) and am in general being forced to be a woman 20 years older than my chronological age, so I'll take this.

For sure, thank goodness. Best wishes. Too young for all that.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, no problem. But I was a competitive gymnast for many years so I have some lingering good balance and core strength.

I’ll add on that I’m 40. I saw a PP say they don’t know anyone over 25 who can do it, but I’m proof that after a couple kids + middle age, some of us can still do it.

Yes, no problem. But I was a competitive gymnast for many years so I have some lingering good balance and core strength.

Anonymous wrote:All these people who say they are doing it are taking a knee at least.

20:01 here and I’m not using my knees. I’m chuckling can finally do something that’s hard for others . I can’t to a sit up to save my life.

Anonymous wrote:Without hands yeah but not without taking a knee first.

I’m 63 and same for me. I can do it no problem but have to get from sit to knee to stand. I know some people who can go from sitting cross legged to standing but they are like 18 years old. I only know one person over 25 who can do it.

Anonymous wrote:How in the world do you do this without involving knees?

From criss-cross position, just push up with the sides of your feed, and then use momentum to plant them square on the ground and push up.

Anonymous wrote:How in the world do you do this without involving knees?

I’m a man and don’t think I could ever do this

https://youtu.be/n_0MuVsyHfQ

Anonymous wrote:All these people who say they are doing it are taking a knee at least.

I am 15lbs overweight and could do it without using my hands or knee. You just need to use momentum and a little core strength.

I AM short, which probably makes it easier.

How in the world do you do this without involving knees?

Yes, sitting down and standing up, no hands, knees, or arms. I'm only 35, but I'm in chemically-induced menopause and have full-blown osteoporosis (thanks, breast cancer treatment) and am in general being forced to be a woman 20 years older than my chronological age, so I'll take this.

All these people who say they are doing it are taking a knee at least.