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Re:Why Can't Everyone Do the 'Asian Squat'? by graeme on Saturday March 17, 2018 @12:43AM (#16605644)
Has anyone gone from being unable to do this to doing it easily, with good form? If so, what did you do?

(For context, my left low back and my right heel both have lower range of motion from injuries. Presumably that can be improved.)

Update: I have a preliminary answer to my own question: squat more. I just read more hacker news while squatting, and the front of my ankles quickly became tired.

Re:Why Can't Everyone Do the 'Asian Squat'? by mikekchar on Saturday March 17, 2018 @12:58AM (#16605663)
I can not do it easily, but if I'm wearing shoes with any kind of heal (even running shoes), I can squat down well enough to do things like gardening. Although there is a certain amount of flexibility in the hips, etc, the main issue is range of motion in the ankles. You need to be able to get your knees considerably in front of your toes in order to be able to shift your weight forward far enough not to fall over backwards. Most people also have poor strength balance between the calf muscle and the muscles at the front of the shin. You need the muscles as the front for the shin to lift your toes upwards -- so if you are struggling with range of motion, you will be pulling on those muscles to help you. When you have enough range of motion, gravity will do that for you.

Range of motion can be improved with training, but everyone has a limit. Where that limit is, depends on the person. If you practice every day for 6 months, then you can probably safely say that you've hit your limit.

Re:Why Can't Everyone Do the 'Asian Squat'? by vl on Saturday March 17, 2018 @02:31AM (#16605848)
I can now easily squat for extended periods, but couldn't before. This changed after I started to do weightlifting and associated required stretching.
Re:Why Can't Everyone Do the 'Asian Squat'? by meitham on Saturday March 17, 2018 @03:06AM (#16605911)
I went the other way around!

I grew up where the Eastern toilet was the only available choice. Now, having lived in the west for over a decade, I struggle to squat on eastern toilets, often fall backwards!

Re:Why Can't Everyone Do the 'Asian Squat'? by DoreenMichele on Saturday March 17, 2018 @01:03AM (#16605669)
Make it a daily habit.

Also, if your injuries involve tendons, ligaments or cartilage, you can feed those tissues with gelatine. You can buy plain gelatine and add hot water, stir vigorously and add a little apple juice for flavor and to cool it to drinking temperature. Consume rapidly before the goo starts solidifying in the cup.

I did this daily for a year or two to help heal old injuries. My impairment improved substantially and was never so bad again.

Re:Why Can't Everyone Do the 'Asian Squat'? by codedinosaur on Saturday March 17, 2018 @02:21AM (#16605828)
About 3-4 months of doing this[1] has gotten me to a point where I can sit in the squat position without any effort.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opw9G1qKCcM

Re:Why Can't Everyone Do the 'Asian Squat'? by adrianN on Saturday March 17, 2018 @02:42AM (#16605862)
"How to squat" minute three: As you exhale, you squat straight down with perfect form. Done.
Re:Why Can't Everyone Do the 'Asian Squat'? by codedinosaur on Saturday March 17, 2018 @07:18AM (#16606466)
In the beginning, your will be leaning forward a lot. By the time you have perfected this movement, which too me 15-16 weeks, you are able to squat effortlessly. Until then, you can use a modification[1]

[1] https://youtu.be/Opw9G1qKCcM?t=332

Re:Why Can't Everyone Do the 'Asian Squat'? by Coxa on Saturday March 17, 2018 @03:47AM (#16605980)
I was more like a by product for me. I started rowing 3 years ago and was really surprised how flexible I got by now. I always struggled doing the asian squat ... but not anymore.
Re:Why Can't Everyone Do the 'Asian Squat'? by 00N8 on Saturday March 17, 2018 @03:02AM (#16605899)
look into range of motion exercises for ankle & knee physical rehabilitation