#Squatting

New research highlights squats as more than a fitness trend. For Thai readers, the movement connects deeply with daily life—from ground-level dining and rice-field work to traditional squat toilets. While modern office life has reduced our time in this position, experts say reintegrating mindful squatting can support mobility, balance, and independence across the lifespan.

Squatting is a natural resting posture in many Asian communities, where floor-based living remains common. For young Thais, sitting cross-legged and squatting are still seen in rural areas, markets, and temples. In Western countries, these postures are rarer outside gyms, which may contribute to tighter ankles, knees, and hips over time. Health professionals note that prolonged chair-sitting has narrowed ranges of motion and may affect lifelong joint health.

Recent research into the simple act of squatting suggests that this time-honored movement, still common in many Asian cultures and among Thai people, may hold significant benefits for health, mobility, and even longevity, though not without some caveats. The conversation around squatting recently resurfaced in global media, highlighting its cultural roots in Asia and Eastern Europe, and the fact that many people in developed Western countries have lost the ability to comfortably rest in this position due to modern lifestyles dominated by chairs and sedentary workspaces. So, should we all be squatting more, and if so, how can Thais best apply the latest scientific findings to their daily routines?