what does squeezing the legs together actually do in a seated posture?

This is Ashtanga Yoga Tech Support. Real questions from the yoga community, answered.

Our Response

The action of drawing your limbs into the midline is generally called adduction– and conveniently, the muscles on your legs that do that job are called (get this) adductors. But some of our muscles do a few different, jobs, so it also = puts your hamstrings and calves into active duty.

That closes the kinetic chain—like picking up a barbell and really being able to grip, as opposed to having your arm up in triangle, not connected to a toe or anything.

Open chain work is great for agility and balance. Closed chain work builds strength. Squeezing the legs together turns a stretch into a strengthening opportunity.

It also brings your knee joint into play. When you squeeze and keep working deeper, you’re not just yanking on soft tissue—you’re coordinating the whole leg, building strength through the entire chain.

This is especially useful when you’re working toward bound postures. You need strength and control, not just the ability to hold hands with yourself.