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  • To Sit or to Squat? The best way to have a poo...

    January 06, 2020 3 min read

    To Sit or to Squat? The best way to have a poo...


    Whats the best way to have a good Poo?

    Squatting versus sitting?

    We learn our bathroom habits from parents/ caretakers or watching siblings from an early age. Different habits in different parts of the world and cultures.

    Most people who travelled through Asia are familiar with a drop hole toilet. Initially it can seem really strange of having to squat on the toilet and you might miss the porcelain throne but which toilet do you think is better to empty your bladder and bowel?

    Ayurvedic wisdom has specific instructions on natural urges and morning ablutions. 

    Classical reference:


    After getting the natural urge to dispel urine and faeces naturally, the person should eliminate them, facing north if early morning and if still dark facing south.
    Silently one should squat, covering the head with a cloth, attending to the urge commenced on its own and without initiating the urge by force
    Astanga Samgraha of Vagbhata, Su 3: 3-4

    Udadamukho mutrasakrddhiksinabhimukhe nishi |
    Vacan niyamaya prayatah samvitango vaguntitah ||
    prabartayot prachalitam na tu yatnaduhiryet |

    Looking at this sloka/ verse from the ancient text clearly we can see that we should

    NOT be on a mobile phone 
    NOT do anything else 
    NOT force or strain while eliminating and 
    NOT suppress a natural urge

    Ayurvedic and Yogic recommendations to help with your elimination:

    1. Eliminate in the morning, sitting in a private and clean place
    2. One should not gaze towards auspicious objects (don’t place any gods near the bathroom/ toilet.
    3. Avoid places that are dirty
    4. One should tighten the abdominal muscles and do a brief Muladhara engagment (of the pelvic floor muscle) before release
    5. Drink some water early morning stored in a pure copper cup overnight
    6. Sattvic diet and lifestyle
    7. Regular Yoga practice, Malasana (Garland Pose) the yogic squat has a grounding quality and activates Apana Vayu needed for elimination.
    ?
    Squatting versus sitting 

    1. The physiology of the nerves and the muscles of the bladder and bowels are most easily aided by the natural curve created by squatting separating the thighs maximally.
    2. The muscles holding the rectum closed become relaxed upon squatting and elimination is more complete.
    3. It prevents "fecal impaction" which is a causative factor for IBS, appendicitis and inflammatory bowel disease.
    4. Haemorrhoids that occur from straining are relieved with squatting
    5. Evacuation is faster due to straightening the anorectal angle during squatting
    6. Your lower limbs will get some exercise too
    7. There is no contact of the buttock to a seat that could be full of germs and unhygienic.
    8. Squatting is also useful for pregnancy boi avoiding pressure exerted on the uterus when using the toilet

    Sitting toilets designed by Joseph Bramah and a plumber Thomas Crapper emerged in Europe where there was no orderly disposal of human waste.

    Toilets came with an increase of constipation, varicose veins, hernia, haemorrhoids and appendicitis. 

    We recommend a small stool, a stool gives you the option to be in a full squat position (Ideally 35C angle). Foot stools such as the Squatty Potty are great. ❤️❤️❤️
    For parents and caretakers we recommend to educate from an early age about the benefits of using a foot stool.

    Also be sparse with your toilet paper. If you are suffering from haemorrhoids we recommend only to gently pat the area, rather than wipe.

    We LOVE the toilet paper from Who Gives A Crap.
    www.whogivesacrap.com.au
    This is 100% recycled toilet paper and 50% of the profits are donated to build toilets in the developing worlds.

    If you suffer from digestive or problems with your elimination we recommend to see your Ayurvedic practitioner for a consultation.

    For more email info@lakshmiayurveda.com.au or call us on ph: 0406810547

    With Love your Lakshmi Team

    PS: some more information by the Queensland Department of Health
    https://www.health.qld.gov.au/…/how-to-poo-properly-sit-squ…