Sadhguru reveals why sitting cross-legged isn't just tradition; it's spiritual science

An age-old ritual with deep meaning, sitting cross-legged is not just a posture but it has deep biological, energetic, and spiritual meaning to it too. The art of sitting cross-legged has powerful effects on your mind and body. As Sadhguru often emphasizes, this art is deeply rooted in yogic wisdom and is now backed by science. Here we share what spiritual master Sadhguru says about sitting cross-legged and why one should sit in this posture often:

The energy must come to you. As rightly quoted by Sadhguru, when there is a consecrated space, there is a powerful energy present. According to Sadhguru, how one positions their body in such a space has energetic implications. If you are sitting with your legs stretched out, especially in the direction of a linga, it can be detrimental. Instead, sitting cross-legged helps close off the lower parts of the body—areas associated with survival instincts and lower chakras like Muladhara and Swadhisthana.

In yogic traditions, Sadhguru explains, energy should ideally enter our bodies through the heart, called Anahata; then the throat, called Vishuddhi; and lastly the eye, called Ajna. To prove this, people keep their heads wet when they enter temples, hoping that the divine energy enters from the top. Now, if we sit cross-legged, we block the survival energies and make ourselves able to achieve the higher vibrations. You shouldn’t sit with your legs stretched out; that will kind of attract negative energy towards you.

Sitting cross-legged is not only a cultural aspect; it is deeply rooted in science—how energies are received in our body and further processed. When you sit with your legs open, especially in front of consecrated energy or food, it may direct energy in unintended, possibly harmful, ways. Just like certain bodily processes (such as excretion) must occur through specific parts, energy must be received in alignment with the body’s natural design.

Even food, Sadhguru says, is a form of energy. Eating while standing or with open legs allows that energy to be accessed by the entire body indiscriminately, leading to imbalance. The whole body longs for food and energy, not just the mouth or stomach. Therefore, posture matters. He emphasizes that postures evolved in Indian culture are not random; they are instinctively and consciously designed to protect and enhance well-being. For example, people unconsciously protect their energy by folding their arms or crossing their legs when feeling defensive. Similarly, sitting cross-legged is a protective and receptive posture in spiritual spaces.

When in the presence of powerful energy—be it food, consecrated spaces, or elevated individuals—sit cross-legged. It ensures that energy flows through the intended, higher channels and doesn’t disrupt the balance of your system. This ancient wisdom, Sadhguru says, aligns with deep energetic logic, not mere ritual. Every act of our daily routine has a hidden meaning behind it, waiting to be discovered.