[kranner]

Squatting trivia: South Asians do squat in repose, but notice that the heel of the foot is in full contact with the ground.

I read somewhere that the typical Westerner, or someone not used to squatting for extended periods, will squat on the balls of their feet. Apparently this can tire you out quickly.

I'm embarrassed that I can't quite manage to squat on my heels either, despite being South Asian.

[pbhjpbhj]

>I read somewhere that the typical Westerner, or someone not used to squatting for extended periods, will squat on the balls of their feet.

My calf muscles don't allow my thighs to press against my calves along their length as in images of people squatting full footed. The lever created means a huge amount of pressure on my knees like when you use a bar under a claw-hammer to increase upward force. I've tried squatting flat footed and holding onto something - it's very painful on the front of my legs and my thighs don't go closer than about 15deg from my calves.

I crouch down a lot as I spend a lot of time next to tables talking to people sitting.

I also can't sit cross-legged comfortable, never could. It made school assemblies hard for me I have to hold my legs crossed in an elevated position (knees away from the floor) which then adds pressure on the buttocks.

Perhaps it's just me. I don't consider myself to appear obviously anatomically dissimilar to those around me.

[jharrison]

I spent a couple years in South Korea a number of years ago and challenged myself to squat as the natives did. It didn't take long to achieve full heel contact with the ground but I never felt entirely balanced.

FWIW I found regular sitting toilets in most homes and establishments that I visited. The "squatter" was actually not common in the parts I traveled (25 years ago and mostly in Seoul). I think I used one twice in 2 years.

[sliverstorm]

IMHO it's because they are two different kinds of squats. On the balls of your feet, you a ready to spring into action at any second- it is more like a quick breather than a resting position. It comes much more naturally. On your heels, you can't exactly break into an instant run.

[kranner]

That was just my point - it comes naturally to Westerners because they are not used to squatting. South Asians can execute either stance equally naturally.

I've seen people go from standing to squatting position (not in a toilet) and they don't go through an intermediate ball-of-foot-squatting phase.

[eru]

Yes. But sliverstorm wasn't saying that they go through an intermediate ball-of-foot-squatting.

By the way, practice makes perfect in squatting as in every thing else.

[ChRoss]

I think it's affected with whether you're skinny person or not. Skinny people are easier to squat on heels, as they have smaller flesh/muscle.

I observe football players have difficulty in squatting on heels.