Squatting for Improved Mobility, Balance, and Digestion

You’ve probably heard that sitting is the new smoking.

The average adult in first world nations sits for more than 9 hours a day.

Sitting on a chair, in a moving vehicle, or on a sofa for many hours a day over decades weakens our core and robs the major joints of our lower body of healthy flexion that allows for optimal mobility, agility, and digestion.

The human body is well designed to utilize a squat position, heels and balls of the feet comfortably grounded, pelvis and spine relaxed.

Essentially, the major joints of our lower extremities - ankles, knees, and hips - are optimally folded or passively flexed in the squat position.

The squat position also allows for optimal positioning of our digestive system and natural flow of materials through the large intestine.

Almost all toddlers can assume the squat position effortlessly.

If you aren’t already doing so, you might consider spending time in a relaxed squat, heels grounded every day. Even 10-second increments for a total of a few minutes each day should lead to significant benefits to your overall mobility, balance, and digestion.

If needed, place stacked towels or even books under your pelvis or heels, and as your mobility improves over time, you can taper off these aids until you are squatting as you once did as a toddler.

Please be sure to consult with your physician or physiotherapist before beginning any new exercise routine.