What comes to mind when I say squat? Does your immediate thought think multiple reps in a gym session or hip openers in a held yogi squat. What if I told you that a squat was at one stage a resting position? Squat not just for your booty.
When I moved into my new unfurnished home, I spent a lot more of my time at ground level. And much like anything that our bodies aren't used to, it can feel very uncomfortable at first - but this is just because our bodies aren't familiar or they are out of practice moving in this way. But in no time at all I started to feel the benefits in my hips and back - less tight and much more mobile.
And it got me thinking… what other ancestral and natural positions or movements have we got out of the habit of utilising into our daily lives?
Whilst I have been practicing this ground living. I have also been reading Tony Riddle's 'Be More Human'. He is a big advocate for re-wilding practices. I highly recommend to give this book a read - really fascinating, inspiring and packed full of investigatory data.
The squatting position is a wonderful position for our posture and spine health - in fact squatting allows us to maintain the same body weight through the soles of our feet to the earth comparable to standing on our two feet. Squatting supports standing, which supports walking, running and every other activity we love to do - all of these we are bearing the weight of our bodies through our feet. So when you think about it, squatting is much more aligned with us than sitting and bearing the weight through the base of our spine.
So how come we don't squat more often?
When we are squatting or any floor seated position, our bodies have a remarkable signal to notify us that we need to move or change position. Whereas in chairs - that are designed to hold our bodies in an upright 90 degree manner or comfy sofas that you melt into - we are less likely to get those natural bodily signals… 'beep beep, hello, I think we need to move now'. Therefore, we can end up finding ourselves spending endless time stuck in one position. Hands up, I am guilty of this!
What ways can we integrate squatting into our daily lives?
During your next Netflix marathon try a few ground based seated and squatting positions - changing position every time your body sends out the signal to move.
Read emails at the office in a squat.
Every time you come to a stop on the bus or train come in a squat.
Try brushing your teeth in a squat position.
When you are waiting for the kettle to boil bring yourself into a grounding resting pose.
Be creative, be playful with it.
Follow our instagram for short videos and practices to try at home.
Comments