# Can you Asian squat? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 28, 2016, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336 "2016-04-28T14:25:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336/21 "2016-04-28T20:43:49Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > I’ve only used a squatter twice in my life (despite living in Japan for 7 years - and one of the two was in India, not Japan). What _is_ the proper pants position? I was able to escape calamity, but it was apparent that I was doing it in a non-sustainable fashion. > > Granted, having better posture when asian squatting might help. If you can get your back straight up and down, that probably is a bonus. I’ve been asked this before, too, and it’s almost instinctual. And I did it with super baggy salwar-kameez. As you squat and pull your pants down you kind of tuck the excess with your knees, and so your highs and part of your thighs are exposed, but not your ankles. The material being tucked behind your knees means none of it drapes on the ground. It’s almost a little hard to explain unless you actually see someone doing it. I find it difficult in jeans because they don’t give, but soft Indian cotton gives very nicely. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336/22 "2016-04-28T21:08:07Z")
I used to do it. Guys from Nam said that was common there. I won’t bend my knees like that anymore. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336/23 "2016-04-28T21:19:27Z")
I used to, no problem. But now, with my decrepit knees and back, I’m lucky when I can walk. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336/24 "2016-04-28T21:30:54Z")
My mum can do it. My brother can do it. My dad can’t do it. I can’t do it. I know who to blame in the genetic lottery. My feet are un-bendy (like the rest of me)… or I am back-heavy, or something. If I squat down I can get to the point where I’m down with my weight thrown forward, but as soon as I try to tilt my torso to the upright position, I fall over backwards. And it puts tremendous strain on my shins. I can do a kind of poor-man’s full squat, where I move my feet to the side, tilt them forward so I’m resting on the front edge, then bring my elbows in and shove backwards on the inside of my knees to force my torso forwards. That’s the only way I can get forward enough to stay upright. I remember trying this in primary school. Couldn’t do it then, can’t do it now (I also can’t do a head stand, because the yoga teacher’s first instruction was “put your head down in front of the wall, then walk your butt up till it’s close to the wall.” Um…how about 50cm. Is 50cm ‘close’? I’m REALLY not bendy) ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336/25 "2016-04-28T21:32:32Z")
I do not think I can do it now at 155kg. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336/26 "2016-04-28T21:55:38Z")
Nope. My heels come up if I try to. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336/27 "2016-04-28T22:01:18Z")
Easy, Peasy! (But I am the size of an Asian, so that could be part of it!) Also do it for an angered back sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2016, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336/28 "2016-04-28T23:56:26Z")
I can’t yet. My daughters both started doing squats a few months ago and first they couldn’t go all the way down ten times without falling over. Now they do 30 flat footed. I think it’s really helping my younger daughter’s balance. I’m still relying on a table to keep from tumbling down. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336/29 "2016-04-29T00:00:07Z")
Yes, but I’m built like those skinny Asian men who are comfortable that way for hours. I first saw it in Beijing in 1984, and adopted it (also we had only squatty toilets in our dorm). Nowadays my knees won’t let me do it for long. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336/30 "2016-04-29T02:21:12Z")
I was surprised people can’t? I’m six-and-two-glorious-thirds-feet tall, and have no problem accomplishing it and staying there comfortably. I do have freakish dorsiflection in my ankles, though. ---
**Author:** ![spamforbrains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@spamforbrains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spamforbrains)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336/31 "2016-04-29T02:30:31Z")
yes? I didn’t know there was any other way to squat. Why would you squat on your toes only? That sounds far more difficult. I can even walk around in a squat position. I suppose if your legs are weak you might have trouble getting back up OUT of a squat. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336/32 "2016-04-29T02:39:16Z")
No, not at all. The best I can pull off is balancing precariously on the balls of my feet. I have heard the main secret to a successful Asian squat is practicing it repeatedly as a natural activity during one’s physically formative years. However, I have known newbie farangs (Westerners) – and I mean fresh off the boat – who can drop down into an Asian squat with no problem whatsoever, feet completely flat on the ground, and not all of these guys are little either. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336/33 "2016-04-29T05:49:47Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I’ve been asked this before, too, and it’s almost instinctual. And I did it with super baggy salwar-kameez. As you squat and pull your pants down you kind of tuck the excess with your knees, and so your highs and part of your thighs are exposed, but not your ankles. The material being tucked behind your knees means none of it drapes on the ground. > > It’s almost a little hard to explain unless you actually see someone doing it. I find it difficult in jeans because they don’t give, but soft Indian cotton gives very nicely. This is different if you are carrying anything in your back pockets. The pants have to be pulled far enough down that the pockets remain vertical or whatever is in them can get shaken out either when you’re squatting or getting back up. It’s actually easier with jeans because the fabric is stiff enough that you can just pull them down to your knees and they still don’t get onto the ground. I keep the top of the pants just right on my knees. For the suit pants we missionaries had to wear, you have to tuck them in, like you say, but again, keeping the pockets vertical so your iPhone doesn’t go plummeting into your mess. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336/34 "2016-04-29T05:57:32Z")
One blown ACL and one torn ACL says no to any kind of squatting. ---
**Author:** ![Macca26](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/13edae/32.png) [@Macca26](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Macca26)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336/35 "2016-04-29T16:08:51Z")
I’ve been trying to train myself for a couple months now by trying to get into the position every day but I still can’t get my heels to stick to the ground. If I put my heels on the ground I’d fall backwards without something to hold on to. No matter what I do I can’t get everything to bend forward enough to get my center of balance forward enough to keep me upright. Maybe it’s just impossible for me. I’ve never been very flexible at all, even if I stretch every day. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336/36 "2016-04-29T16:14:51Z")
I have zero desire to squat. Even the word is kind of yucky. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336/37 "2016-04-29T16:21:47Z")
I might be able to if I kept trying, but the whole thing is really uncomfortable. My center of balance is completely off, so I’m constantly fighting not to fall over. Getting on your knees is so much easier. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336/38 "2016-04-29T18:19:48Z")
Used to be able to, back in the longed-for days of flexible joints and slender waistlines. Today I might roll on my back or require a support team to pull me back upright – it has been a while, might require a bit of a training regimen to get back there. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336/39 "2016-04-29T18:31:55Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > I absolutely cannot do it. I’ve never been able to. I’m reasonably fit and reasonably flexible, but if I try, I’ll end up on the ground. I don’t know if it’s my proportions or what - but it doesn’t work for me. This. If I try to rest my weight centered above my heels, I tip backward immediately. I’m not able to pull my body forward enough, for some reason. I’m of average hight and flexibility, and a healthy weight. ---
**Author:** ![ticker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2016, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336/40 "2016-04-29T19:16:01Z")
I don’t think flexibility is much of an issue. I am in my early 50s, have always had very poor flexibility and never ever been able to touch my toes. I was sure I wouldn’t be able to do this but turns out it is pretty easy for me, albeit the center of balance feels a bit weird. Perhaps weight is more important? I am quite slim now (BMI of 22) but when I was 40 pounds heavier my stomach would probably have gotten in the way. I am going to practice this and see if it becomes natural. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-asian-squat/753336.md?page=3)