I have always been able to sit in Lotus position but could not maintain it long because my back would start hurting. Now, after doing Pilates for 6 months with a trainer, I am able to maintain that position for 30 minutes. I also might add that I have a pretty bad curvature of the spine but am still able to be straight because of the yoga and pilates. There is a great Yoga program on Oxygen called Inhale that is great. I find that all three disciplines(Gigong) help the spine. Hope this helps-