Becoming flexible enough to use squat toilets?

[hbuchtel]

Does anybody have any first or second-hand accounts of people becoming flexible enough to use squat toilets?

I'm not kidding (though this is a kind of funny subject), as I think not being able to squat is really an issue of hip flexibility - in most Westerners' cases as a result of sitting in chairs their whole lives.

A good friend of mine, an American male in his 50s, dispairs of ever being able to use the majority of toilets here. I'd like to be able to tell him that it will get better with practice , but it would be more convincing if I could share a few success stories with him...

Short of taking up yoga, what would it take for a middle-aged person to be able to use these toilets comfortably?

[renzhe]

Many people squat incorrectly, and lose balance because of it. Look up some information of performing the squat exercise (like in weightlifting), it is similar. Feet wider apart, knees out, squat straight down, not back.

But yeah, most people lose flexibility throughout their lives because of too much sitting and not enough exercise. Most people should be able to squat properly with some practice, though, you just have to relearn it.

I feel dirty writing this sort of stuff :o

[anonymoose]

It sounds like what you need is a 坐便椅:

See here.

[hbuchtel]

Look up some information of performing the squat exercise (like in weightlifting), it is similar.

Good call. He used to do weightlifting, so this should be familiar.

[jbradfor]

And, as a plus, once you can use squat toilets easily, you can squat down while waiting and look very native.

[hbuchtel]

It sounds like what you need is a 坐便椅:

ha hah, yes, I've seen those for sale in medical supply stores. If there was a version that could be pocketed (!) it would be perfect!

[anonymoose]

If there was a version that could be pocketed (!) it would be perfect!

饥不择食寒不择衣。

[hbuchtel]

Aw, c'mon...can you imagine walking around with one of those?

I mean, if it at least came in some different colors, or had a snazzy carrying bag or something... ;)

[anonymoose]

There really is no pleasing some people. Look, you can get fold-up ones too:

See here.

And if you're still not satisfied, maybe you should consider a colostomy.

[hbuchtel]

. . . you should consider a colostomy.

Now we're talking! Though perhaps it would be better to give the conservative approach a chance first...

[imron]

The main problem with many westerners is a lack of flexibility in the calf/achilles tendon area that makes it difficult to squat with heels flat against the ground and means that when you squat you have to be balanced on the balls of your feet. This in turn places the knees out past the top of the toes, which is bad for the knees, uncomfortable, and makes it difficult to balance - all of which are intensified the longer you need to squat.

What you want to be able to do is get your heels flat on the ground without shifting your body mass backwards, which not only makes you more stable, but will mean the knees sit above the toes rather than extending past them, making it a much better position for your knees, and allowing you to squat for longer periods of time if required.

Luckily there's a very effective stretch you can do for your calf and achilles tendon, that if done 1-2 minutes twice a day will probably have your friend squatting in about a week.

Just find a door frame, bend your knees and then try to place one foot flat against the door frame (holding on to the door frame for balance). Now gently start to stand up with the other leg. You should immediately feel a stretch in the achilles and calf. Hold this for 1-2 minutes (which will actually feel much longer when doing the stretch, so make sure you have a timer handy to ensure you're doing the stretch for the full length of time) then repeat with the other leg. Do this twice (or more) daily, once in the morning and once again in the evening.

You don't need to be able to get the foot completely flat against the door frame, and if you have poor flexibility to begin with, you may only be able to get it at a 45 degree angle or so. You'll still be able to feel the stretch however and over time you should be able to minimise the angle (though you may need to bend deeper at the knees in order to achieve it).

See pic:

P.S. Before anyone asks, the reason I know this is not because I've made any sort of in-depth study on westerners and squat toilets. For the real reason, see my avatar (with heel flat against the ground) :-)

[gato]

Losing some weight helps. Fear of tumbling into the toilet would be a good incentive to go on a diet.

[Meng Lelan]

And if you're still not satisfied, maybe you should consider a colostomy.

Let me tell you something. I actually know two former colleagues right now who had/are having this due to cancer. It's not funny or fun.

[jasoninchina]

My friend has difficult because of the length of his legs, not his flexibility (which is generally quite good). Since most Chinese have long torso's and short legs (as do I), squatting at the toilet is quite easy and comfortable. Despite our many discussions on the matter, he still has great difficulty holding such a position for long simply because his knees have nowhere comfortable to go.

[imron]

I'm 190cm (6'3) and have long legs and a shorter torso. I don't think this has anything to do with it.

If your friend's knees have nowhere comfortable to go, would it be true that he can't squat flat footed without becoming over-balanced and tipping backwards, and therefore he is balancing on the balls of his feet which pushes the knees well out over the toes?

If so, have him try the above stretch for a couple of weeks and see if it makes a difference.

[hbuchtel]

The main problem with many westerners is a lack of flexibility in the calf/achilles tendon area

Nice, I'll pass on the recommended stretching exercise.

Losing some weight helps.

I used to think that weight was the biggest issue here, but that impression was thrown out after encountering a fellow student in a yoga class - an elderly woman with a considerable belly - whose legs were able to fold up under her with no trouble at all.

[Lu]

What you want to be able to do is get your heels flat on the ground without shifting your body mass backwards, which not only makes you more stable, but will mean the knees sit above the toes rather than extending past them, making it a much better position for your knees, and allowing you to squat for longer periods of time if required.

This is how I squat. For some reason I have always been able to do this (180 cm and legs to match, fairly skinny though). I'm inexplicably flexible in a few ways, so I'm afraid I can't help with how to learn this, only confirm that this way of squatting works.

It seems though that sitting toilets are found more easily in China these days (or I'm just moving in different circles now), so that might also help. Although for hygiene I prefer a squat toilet, actually.

[imron]

Although for hygiene I prefer a squat toilet, actually.

Agree completely. I'd take a public squat toilet over a public sitting toilet every time.

[renzhe]

Imron's suggestion will help you, but the most important thing to do, IMHO, is to make your stance a bit wider and to point your feet out at an angle of about 45 degrees from each other (or about 20 degrees each from the direction you're facing). Then push your knees out (not in front of you) as you squat.

You will feel much more stable and your knees will not go as far forward, and it will be easier to keep your heels flat on the floor.

[xuefang]

I don't have any tips, but it really isn't that hard or uncomfortable I think. I used to live in a Chinese apartment with squat toilet for half a year and I did get used to it really fast. When it's the only kind of toilet you use, then it becomes the norm. Sure I understand that some people might have problems because of this and that, but basically it's just a toilet ;)

p.s. I didn't move out from the apartment because of the toilet, the police just didn't like me using the toilet in that neighbourhood.