I just perused the thread but it sounds like she was having trouble just doing the form of a regular bodyweight squat. probably swinging backward.
Are you saying you can do a "regular bodyweight squat"? If so, why not practice those and work up from there? Don't be disappointed if you never reach the perfect form of those 3 gents in the photo you posted, as they've been squatting since not long after they were born and Esther Gokhale wrote in the article I linked to in the other thread that Western bones can become ossified into positions that make squatting and other natural postures difficult. This is one of the minor curses of Western civ. and is one reason why it is so important not to discourage youths from engaging in the squatting that comes naturally to them. I'm glad I didn't listen to my mother and kept squatting, though extensive Western chair sitting and years of the SAD have made me much less flexible than many Asians and Africans.
Based on my visit yesterday to a furniture store, Western furniture is getting worse. I just bought a couch and there were only 2 in the store that were close to naturally ergonomic and firm. Most were badly sloped and way too soft--both bad for the posture and likely to contribute to muscle and joint atrophy, stiffness and pain. No wonder the West leads the world in back and joint pain.
It could very well have to do with factors you mention, but if you look closely at these women, they would indeed topple over if they went fully down. They are also moving their feet off the ground, but that is probably minor criticism.
I doubt they wold topple over. If you look closely you'll see that their heels remain relatively flat. When they lift up their whole foot tends to go up instead of just the heel, except for a tiny bit of heel lift in one of them. If you can achieve that level of heel flexibility and balance then you should have zero problem doing a squat sit. If you are unable to, then, again, there is the modified squat sit that nearly anyone can do. I don't mean to be critical, but instead of focusing on possible reasons why you might not be able to do it wouldn't your chances for progress be greater by trying out the more doable-looking of the tips that Ben Fury, Esther Gokhale, teachers of gentle yoga poses, and others have recommended?
If I was squatting how these women are or with my feet angled, I could probably hold that for about 5 minutes, That used to be part of a kundalini set I used to do.
Exactly, angling the feet with the toes pointing out is part of the proper form, which is why it is taught in the kundalini set. Note that the men in the photo you posted have their toes pointed out. 5 minutes is an excellent start!
but, perhaps one can strengthen those remaining muscles, or become further 'open' through diet/yoga etc...
Yes, for example, my own balance and flexibility have improved greatly since I went VLC, which has improved my ability to do yoga poses, but I still have a ways to go. Even if I don't improve any further, at least I can work on maintaining the improved balance and flexibility I have attained.
griseled male pole squatters, what more could a woman want for her birthday.
BTW, I'm not aware of anything wrong with balancing on the toes instead the full foot while squat sitting, like one of the fellows in that image you posted above. It actually requires more balance. I can do it on the toes of one foot, which is a yoga pose.
Topic: Cant do asian squat! (Read 58456 times)