Is sleeping lying back with my legs in the lotus position harmful for my knees?!

Thats a good question. If anything I would be more worried about blood flow to your legs during sleep, but I am still reading about the lotus position. It definitely can be harmful to your knees for 2 reasons. 1) that position requires you to hyper extended your ligaments within the knee joint, so when you come out of the position you then loosen your ligaments which could be over extended after several months maybe years of this habit, everyone different, it could just take 1 night to mess you up. 2) You need proper circulation to your lower extremities while sleeping, cold feet is due to lack of good circulation. When you said lotus position there are 2 that come up, one with your feet rested on your thighs and the second with your feet under your calves(indian style sitting), for circulation reasons I would do the under the calves approach if your not already doing so. In that case I would say its fine, but you should try to sleep on your side. Sleeping on your back can cause lower back problems down the line. At the very least place a pillow under your lower back where it arches to give it support. Best of Luck.

Pre med student, pain mgmt therapist, emt