Strange Sitting Habits?

Post Reply New Topic

So people have commented before about how when I sit in a chair, I like to sit with my legs underneath me or even up against my chest. I do this in restaurants, in lectures, in small group discussion classes, everywhere. If my legs are not in the chair with me, I twist them around each other a couple of times, which people ask if it is uncomfortable (it is super comfortable!). I never think anything of it because to me, so what if I like sitting like that, you know? I don't care if it isn't lady-like or if I look like a child (something I have been told): I'm comfortable! I do find myself having to change my position frequently, so generally I use all of these positions as well as switch sides for them a lot during any period where I have to sit for a long time. But then I wondered if it is a common thing for people with Asperger's to do or other people on the spectrum. Anybody else experience similar things? Do you think NTs do as well?

I tend to sit in the way you describe too, and I haven't seen anyone else sit like I do. 90% of people seem to sit either with their legs out in front of the chair, and the remaining 10% have one leg crossed over the other (usually females). Everyone always tells me that the way I sit is bad for my hips and that I should 'keep them down'.

I'm always re-positioning myself when sitting down. I can never get comfortable sometimes.

This is how I like to sit too. I do it at home but not out in public.

When you put your legs underneath, can you turn your legs to either side, or just one side? I can only put my feet to the left, not the right.

I don't know why I prefer to sit that way...I wish I could break the habit, I think it's bad for my lower back. But when I have my feet on the floor I feel uncomfortable and I have to keep shifting around a lot.

Another thing is if I squat down on the floor, I can put my feet flat on the floor, and people have commented that I'm the only person they have ever seen who is able to do that. Other people squat on tip toe.

I prefer to cross my legs when I sit on chairs. If I have energy I can make myself sit normally.

With my legs underneath me, I prefer my feet to point to the right. It is more difficult for me to point them to the left. I will try it if I am sitting for too long and need to shift, though. I can put my feet flat too when I squat down too

I suspect sitting in a flexed posture creates joint compression, which is actually used in sensory integration therapy. It also feels "protective" in a way.

BTW, everybody in my yoga class can squat flat footed, so it's not that rare among NTs.

Same here. I'll often sit with my legs crossed underneath me, and while it can be comfortable for a while, I almost always find myself readjusting where my legs are. I also like to sit with my legs up against my chest sometimes, usually when it's cold. Whatever position I'm sitting in though, I almost always like to have my feet elevated off the ground. Sitting "normally" like an NT often feels awkward and kind of uncomfortable.

Your (the OP's) way of sitting seems like it's rather Yoga-like.

Nothing wrong with that, unless one is in a fancy restaurant, or a cotillion-debutante type of situation.

Yes. I sit cross legged all the time. At work. In meetings. The only time I can't is when I'm.sitting at a laboratory fume hood. I always figured it's because I'm very short. So short my feet don't touch the ground when I sit it any chair. This causes strain on the knee and hip overtime and becomes grossly uncomfortable. But on the rare occasion I find a small chair I still sit funny.

Yes, I need to sit with at least my left foot tucked under, sometimes with the right knee against my chest. If I can't do this I cross my knees. I used to get scolded when I was a kid: "This is a RESTAURANT, not a tree! Sit normal!" I don't sit "normal;" its uncomfortable.

I like sitting with my legs underneath me too. I try not to do it in public, though sometimes I can't help it and will cross one leg under me and leave the other down.

This is me as well.

My favorite sitting position is where I wrap my legs – where my right leg is on top of my left leg and then, my right foot is tucked behind my left ankle. Don’t know why, but it feels good.

Ditto on the leg tucking and yoga pose. I also frequently sit on the floor with my back against the wall and get up to walk around a few times during church service

Like L from Death note?

yes i do this type of thing too