The Advantages of Squatting

Squatting is a natural position that humans are slowly eliminating from their daily routines in favor of sitting more often. There are several benefits associated with squatting, though, that are essential to your health. Squatting can make you stronger and more comfortable, and even reduce the chance of illnesses such as cancer.

Healthy Childbirth

• While most women lie on their backs with their legs spread during the birthing process, squatting is actually a more effective position. Squatting cuts down on the work of the mother by having gravity assist in the delivery and letting the birth canal expand further. It also puts less pressure on the child as he passes through the birth canal, leading to a more natural head shape. The position also pinches fewer blood vessels, leading to a healthier delivery for the mother.

Less Chance of Disease

• Squatting lines up all your internal bowel tracts properly because squatting is the natural position for defecation. For example, when you sit instead of squat when you evacuate your bowels, your ileocecal valve (a valve designed to keep waste from flowing in reverse through your digestive tract) doesn't make a solid connection between the colon and the small intestine. The waste leaks out onto the small intestine, where it can cause health problems such as those arising from E. coli bacteria.

Easing Bowel Movements

• Sitting instead of squatting puts pressure in all the wrong places when you evacuate your bowels. It pinches the tracts leading from your colon down to your rectum, making it more difficult to defecate. To compensate, your body needs to strain more to complete your bowel movements. This can lead to hernias and hemorrhoids as well as other uncomfortable strains. In cases of constipation, squatting to relieve yourself clears the passages in your bowels and eases the movement of waste.

Fitness

• Squatting for the purpose of exercise can build leg muscles, tone your stomach and increase your lower body's flexibility. With squatting, you work out almost every muscle from your shoulders down in order to maintain your balance and position. Guide yourself down slowly and keep your back straight when performing your squats. Improper technique when squatting can result in back pain and other injury, so take it slow to ensure the best results. Hold weights when performing squats for added benefit.