Hi,
This is never talked about here, but we all spend a considerable amount of our life doing it! Any advice on best practices on how to sit on modern toilets?
I know the primal position is squatting. The squatty potty is supposed to help with getting there. But it doesn't do much good because when we pull our pants down, the knees are still held together.
I see on my younger daughter who already has the tendency for inward turned legs, the knees are rolled inward when sitting on the toilet because the pants are pulling on them.
For myself, even with all my awareness, i notice my back is not right afterwards.
Are we supposed to be doing perfect stack sitting posture on the toilet at all times? Is there another thing to think about?
Thanks.!
2 hours 45 min ago
10/29/2013 - 4:01pm
Hello LK,
When sitting on the western toilet, you want to approximate squatting, that is- hip hinge! This means legs are externally rotated and out of the way so that your torso can settle on the inside of your thighs and maintain its healthy shape as you pivot forward from your hips. Legs don't have to be wide appart, they can be close in, but they do have to be turned 'out'. If they are not, most likely you will end up rounding your back.
I recommend practice getting into comfortable squatting positions first and then you can decide how you will need to adjust your clothing.
Unfortunately, internal leg rotation is very common in our Western world but it can be corrected. It will take learning the correct foot positioning (Kidney Bean foot), strengthening foot muscles and also working on your glute muscles.
Hope this helps!
Aurelia V
Gokhale Method Teacher,
Chicago, IL
1 day 3 hours ago
04/08/2015 - 6:54am
Hello LK,
Aurelia wrote a beautiful and in-depth response. I just wanted to add that if a person can bring their pants down to their ankles, rather than just to their knees, they will be able to externally rotate their legs! Hope that helps...
1 day 3 hours ago
07/06/2020 - 3:00pm
Good point about turning legs outward. Should we be looking for a particular type of toilet seat?
I notice our seats slope inward, not flat. So that would turn the legs in.
2 hours 45 min ago
10/29/2013 - 4:01pm
Hi Elizabeth,
In this case, when the seat slopes in, take your hands and manually reposition your legs while rotating them out.
Best,
Aurelia