There is a unique sitting position that all Asian country's people can take, and that no Western could maintain for long - the Asian Squat.
Basically, your feet are slightly wider than shoulder width apart and you bend completely at the knees until your bum is just hovering above the ground. You are essentially accordioned with your weight balanced over your feet. It is very solid. Men, women and children can all perform this feat with ease.
It is a useful position for eating, working, and chatting with friends. I have seen motorcycle repairman working on engines, families eating dinner, women washing clothes, children watching TV and many more examples. They just plop right down, assume the position and when they are done, pop right back up again. No heaving, no propping up, no support of any kind.
I am working on being able to maintain this pose for more than a minute. But so far, I haven't been at all successful. I recall as a child being quite good at it. I guess flexibility is one of those things you loose with age if you don't use it.
This stance is just an example of the Asian mentality; skills developed centuries ago out of necessity and yet still highly efficient. No need for chairs when you perform a perfectly balanced squat.
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3 comments:
hahahaha this is a funny observation...but it is admirable! It's kind of like sitting when you don't really have a chair and the ground is too dirty:)
Must work on perfecting it myself:) It may come in handy:)
Would be extremely handy if you're into backcountry camping or any other recreation that involves being far from a bathroom at any time!
Hey, how're you doing? I just read your post about the Killing Fields. I had the same thing at the Berlin wall... it never ceases to amaze me how we can all tune in if we choose. I hope you are having a superfantastic time, and trust me, the kids in Glasgow won't be saying "1 dollar"!! See you in a few months when I anticipate you will be ace at 'the squat'! love Manda xx
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