Recently I'm becoming more and more convinced of the wisdom behind squatting. No, I'm not referring to the tactic used by the underprivileged where they occupy a piece of land or property, refusing to move until their demands are met. I'm talking about the more primitive form, referring to position when going to the bathroom.
I kept procrastinating on writing about this topic until I was reminded of it with this article from Slate. You see, I've never regularly practiced squatting (I only used the flat toilets during long road trips here in Saudi) as I was raised using the standard toilet and so my body simply grew incapable of comfortably squatting. However, a while back the toilets stopped working in my office and I was forced to resort to the Eastern-toilets. And I must admit that everything stated in the Slate article is correct. Without getting too graphic, let's just say that everything simply 'flowed'.
The Wikipedia page on flat toilets lists a few of the health benefits. In addition to it being physiologically healthier, these toilets are environmentally safer. They don't require an obscene amount of water to flush with the more traditional toilets letting natural decomposition do most of the work (see: Humanure).
For those curious, here's a hilarious yet educational video on the Do's and Don'ts of squatting:
(YT link) (h/t American Bedu)
Finally, if you do decide to go down this route, you can look as happy as this lady!
I kept procrastinating on writing about this topic until I was reminded of it with this article from Slate. You see, I've never regularly practiced squatting (I only used the flat toilets during long road trips here in Saudi) as I was raised using the standard toilet and so my body simply grew incapable of comfortably squatting. However, a while back the toilets stopped working in my office and I was forced to resort to the Eastern-toilets. And I must admit that everything stated in the Slate article is correct. Without getting too graphic, let's just say that everything simply 'flowed'.
The Wikipedia page on flat toilets lists a few of the health benefits. In addition to it being physiologically healthier, these toilets are environmentally safer. They don't require an obscene amount of water to flush with the more traditional toilets letting natural decomposition do most of the work (see: Humanure).
For those curious, here's a hilarious yet educational video on the Do's and Don'ts of squatting:
(YT link) (h/t American Bedu)
Finally, if you do decide to go down this route, you can look as happy as this lady!
7 comments:
Well if it's a sunnah, we already know it's the best methodology - even without knowing the science behind it.
I must admit that it was something i dreaded when going to Saudi, and so i just avoided it (and thinking about it)...i was going to leave it until Mina (since the hotels all had 'normal' toilets) - but then i was forced to go out of necessity in Masjidul Qiblatain of all places....and i had to just do it.
Psychologically, i think the fears we build up during the anticipation is much worse than the actual event. And when you're forced to do something, you just break through all those barriers and do what you need to do.
The mind is a strange, but controllable thing :)
At my age and with a jilbab, it is definitely a learning curve. Thanks for the hilarious video; will definitely share it on FB :)
dreamlife ..i felt exactly like your last paragraph when giving birth
I squat on regular toilets and then wash the area with water and soap,I really don't understand the logic behind using only water,if you think about it you wash your hands with soap so why not the area as well.
Reading about toilets is not a blog post I normally expect to come across LOL! But thanks for the reminder about the benefits of squat toiletting brother! I admit to still being squeamish about using these things (we have a squat toilet right here in our Saudi apt and let's just say only male guests use it LOL!)We do use them however when necessity arises, like during trips around Saudi.
I think that if Muslim countries ever become economically developed Insha'Allah (through Islam of course) that we should not give up the people's use of squat toilets just for the luxury of living in homes with conventional toilets. They're more economically and environmentally sound and besides I've heard people used to squat toilets finding it uncomfortable using the type Westerners are used to!
Have been using squat toilet for the last TWENTY years. Squat toilet over sitting toilet any day!
I prefer to squat although physically it's quite a challenge and I can't quite do it correctly so I find my self on my toes a lot. Here's some recent info about squatting more about the health benefits behind it: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/may/18/truth-about-poo-doing-it-wrong-giulia-enders-squatting.
And now there's a product to help you squat with a sitting toilet: http://www.squattypotty.co.uk
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