Why You Can't Asian Squat (And the Benefits You're Missing)

Wondering why you can’t Asian Squat (AKA Primal Squat, Slav Squat, Resting Squat, Hindu Squat, ATG squat, human squat, etc.)? What muscles are involved in the Asian squat? What are the benefits of the Asian Squat and is the Primal Squat worth working on? Watch to find out!

Chapters
00:16-Overview and Terminology
00:58-Muscles Involved
01:48-Meaning of being unable to Primal Squat
03:32 -Specific Benefits
05:02-Steps to Improve
06:36-Closing Thoughts

HELPFUL LINKS

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At Upright Health we give you strategies and research to get your life back.

With principled functional training, we believe everyone can beat chronic pain and get strong, mobile, and resilient.

Our home training programs help you troubleshoot and train your body safely. We help you tear down fear and build up muscle. We help you think right, move right, and feel right.

Matt Hsu's own battle with chronic pain from the age of 16 in his feet, knees, hips, back, shoulders, elbows, forearms, wrists, hands, and head gives him a uniquely thorough understanding of musculoskeletal pain, the ways in which it can undermine an entire life, and the mental and physical hurdles that keep people from getting out of it.

When not filming videos, he's working out in the living room, surfing, learning dance or gymnastics moves, or riding a bike with his son in tow.

ENDING CREDITS MUSIC

ABOUT THIS VIDEO
If you can’t do the primal squat or Asian squat, it shows you have a lack of hip mobility and leg strength. Your quads, your hip flexors, your inner thighs, and your glutes need to get stronger and more flexible in different angles.

Being able to Asian squat will help you maintain leg strength and hip mobility as you age. That strength and mobility will contribute to better athletic performance, less chronic pain, and will make you a fun adult to be around for kids!

#AsianSquats #PrimalSquat #UprightHealth

[Blossem]

I was born in Hong Kong of missionary parents and lived in South China, Hong Kong, and Japan a number of years. I have always considered the “Asian Squat” as a very normal posture and I still use this stance, especially when working on my car; however, now that I am 85 years of age, I have no trouble getting into the squat, but getting out of it is another story.

[duzisikao]

I am Chinese and got an ankle fraction this year. After the surgery, one of the most important things my doctor concerned about is whether I can do Asian squat again. True story.

[gailselkirksmith]

I am 70 years old from Scotland and have started to embark on the skill of squatting. This video is so helpful and has encouraged me to do this practice every day.

[Nassifeh]

"Realize the process may not be comfortable and commit to it anyway" feels like the best piece of overall life advice I've seen in awhile.

[Yell]

I am 81 and had no problem doing this while watching you. What surprised me was how comfortable it was compared regular squat. Thanks for sharing. It will help me when I do gardening.

[getturkeyvirus]

I'm half asian and half slav and joke that I'm genetically optimized for deep squatting

[beth]

My grandmother gardened in the “Asian Squat” position until she was in her late nineties, even though she wasn’t Asian. She just did it her whole life so it was always easy for her. She also wore cotton, flowing dresses and a wide brimmed straw hat. I remember her always looking so elegant and comfortable squatting in her large vegetable garden.😍

[Blossem]

I decided to review all the comments to my post 11 months ago. Thank you for all the kind comments. I am now 86.5 years of age and am still in fairly good health. Just last week my wife (age 80) and I decided to try the "Asian Squat." She did not do well and I was still able to go completely down with no problem. If I don't stay in the squat long there is no problem standing up. But if I stay in this position too long, standing up is difficult. I remedy this by pushing up off my knees to get into an upright position (but then all my blood rushes to my legs and that creates another problem).

[ALFIE]

I had no idea this position was even called 'the asian squat' but I've been doing it for years. Looking after kids, its a real knee saver on concrete

[cjtzioumis]

Also known as the Slavic squat :) Actually people around the world use this position. Definitely good for flexibilty and leg strength.

[knitterliness]

I taught myself to do this several years ago, and have benefited greatly from it, from back pain relief and leg strength, to knowing that I will not be trapped on the floor once I get down there.

[siokharcavalier]

Thank you. After living decades in Europe, found I couldn't do it without losing balance . Thanks for your 3 tips on building muscles back.

[sueblankenship]

I start every day with the Asian squat. I only recently taught myself how to do it. I work at a computer all day and I'm turning 69 soon, so I'm incorporating yoga into my daily routine. My chiropractor is impressed with my progress.

[ericrawson]

As a 67 year old Englishman, I do this all the time when I am working in my garden or on my house. I do not want to kneel and ruin my knees, which most UK tradesman seem to do. You can move around and control your movement much more easily than when sitting on the ground, and you don't get a wet and muddy backside. I intend to push my body hard, for as long as I can. Use it or lose it.

[JennyLouRN]

I started doing the squat over 30 years ago to prepare for natural childbirth. It works wonders for positioning the baby in the pelvis and preparing the muscles for an easier birth.

[rjcason]

I started Asian Squat in 1981, during my 1st trip to Philippines. Thank you for the reminder. I’m of Scot-Irish descent.

[randomvideos]

As a person on the bigger side, i tried doing this. I held on to something, got into position and actually did it when i let go of the support i used to stop myself falling. I am mind-blown.

[gccgarrett]

I was in China in 2019 for work. I was squatting to look at some wiring on a machine and one of my Chinese colleagues freaked out when he saw me in the Asian squat. He said he read an article that claimed it was physically impossible for white people to do it. It was great blowing his mind and showing how much more similar we all are.

[VvpandoravV]

Also known as the “catcher’s squat”. Learned this in girls softball when I was a catcher for four seasons as a teenager. I still get looked at weirdly when using it but it is still much more comfortable than kneeling - esp wo 30 lbs of catcher’s equipment on!

[lizzieb]

I love it! I’m a 59year old woman with both hips replaced in 2016 and 2017. I find it incredibly stable and relaxing. I use it and crab walk when pulling weeks and planting plants in my landscaping.