six subjects had their rectums filled with a contrast solution and then released the fluid from a squatting or a sitting position while being filmed with X-ray video. yikes.
Science!
How bathroom posture affects your health.
21–30 of 108 posts
Re: How bathroom posture affects your health.
#22Sorry, but I don't know a polite way to ask this. How do you urinate while on a squat toilet without peeing all over your pants?
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Re: How bathroom posture affects your health.
#23I was told once that in China, people squat a lot more than in the West. Both for toilet use, but also just for "sitting down" somewhere. Example: I was told that upon seeing a bench, whereas westerners would normally sit on it, a Chinese person will squat on it. This supposedly also makes their legs much stronger. Can anyone confirm this?
I know it is quite common to see people squatting in Japan.
Re: How bathroom posture affects your health.
#24This article speaks the truth. I was traveling in China last year and was averse to pooping in the squat toilets there (they're generally quite filthy). In any case, eventually push came to shove and I had to bite the bullet. It was like an awakening, I had not realized how uncomfortable are our western toilets until this experience.
Another advantage of a squat toilet is your buttocks don't touch any of that filth.
Re: How bathroom posture affects your health.
#25I was told once that in China, people squat a lot more than in the West. Both for toilet use, but also just for "sitting down" somewhere. Example: I was told that upon seeing a bench, whereas westerners would normally sit on it, a Chinese person will squat on it. This supposedly also makes their legs much stronger. Can anyone confirm this?
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.
Re: How bathroom posture affects your health.
#26Can't you just lean forward on the toilet to achieve the same result?
Or raise your legs a bit, continuing to let the seat carry your weight but raising your knees by pointing your toes or just lifting them. Though I've only thought about trying out squat toilets (or "perching"), I can anecdotally report that leg-raising by itself does have some effect.
Re: How bathroom posture affects your health.
#27I'm still holding out for the Three Seashells toilet.
Technically and nerdily, I believe that was a form of toilet paper and not a toilet.
Re: How bathroom posture affects your health.
#28If your interested in outfitting your own house with something else,
http://www.naturesplatform.com/index.html
I've tried myself to squat while hiking outdoors and I keep falling over.
Re: How bathroom posture affects your health.
#29I was told once that in China, people squat a lot more than in the West. Both for toilet use, but also just for "sitting down" somewhere. Example: I was told that upon seeing a bench, whereas westerners would normally sit on it, a Chinese person will squat on it. This supposedly also makes their legs much stronger. Can anyone confirm this?
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.
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.
Re: How bathroom posture affects your health.
#30This article speaks the truth. I was traveling in China last year and was averse to pooping in the squat toilets there (they're generally quite filthy). In any case, eventually push came to shove and I had to bite the bullet. It was like an awakening, I had not realized how uncomfortable are our western toilets until this experience.
See the award-winning "How to do the Asian Squat" documentary from 2002: http://vimeo.com/12977039