Ever seen someone in Asia squatting casually by the roadside—chatting, smoking, or even eating—in a position that looks “painful” to hold? That’s what’s known as the Asian squat: a way of sitting with your heels flat on the ground, your back straight, and your hips lowered close to your ankles.
For many Asians, this posture feels natural and comfortable. But for most Westerners, holding that position can feel like an “impossible mission.”
Where Did the Term Come From?
The term Asian squat started gaining popularity in the early 2000s after the short film How to Do the Asian Squat (2002) by Daniel Hsia introduced the concept to Western audiences. The film explains the key difference between the “Asian squat” and the “Western squat”: in the Asian version, the heels stay flat on the ground, while in the Western version, they usually lift off.
Then, in 2015, BuzzFeed’s viral video Can You Do the Asian Squat? racked up more than 3.5 million views. It showed Westerners struggling to maintain the posture, and the term became even more widely known.
Many people associate the posture with cultural habits. After all, in Asia, it’s common to see people squatting in public places, from bus stops to traditional markets. But if we look closer, the reason goes beyond culture. There’s actually a scientific explanation behind it.
The Story Behind the Asian Squat
Imagine walking through Beijing, Bangkok, or Yogyakarta. On a street corner, a group of people squat comfortably, their feet flat on the ground as they chat. In public restrooms, you might also encounter squat toilets, which often leave foreign tourists puzzled.
This phenomenon isn’t new. In many Asian countries, this squatting position has long been a part of daily life, from using the toilet and waiting for the bus to simply relaxing.
In contrast, in the West, people grow up sitting on chairs, so their bodies are less accustomed to squatting in this way. That’s why this posture is commonly referred to as the “Asian squat.”
But beyond culture, it’s the human body and how it adapts through everyday habits, that determines who can do it easily and who finds it nearly impossible.
Key 1: Ankle Flexibility
The bones and joints of the ankle need sufficient mobility to keep the heels flat on the ground during a full squat. This movement is called ankle dorsiflexion, when the foot moves upward toward the shin.
Several studies have shown that limited dorsiflexion can disrupt lower-body biomechanics and force compensatory movements in the knees or hips. In fact, a narrative review published in the Electronic Journal of General Medicine found that a restricted dorsiflexion range of motion increases the risk of injury and affects functional movement performance.
A physiotherapy intervention study in PLOS also showed that targeted exercise programs can improve dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) and balance—proving that this flexibility isn’t “lost forever” and can be restored.
In essence, all humans are born natural squatters. We simply lose the ability over time due to modern lifestyle habits.
Key 2: Body Structure & Bone Proportions
Not all bodies are built the same. Pelvic shape, the length of the femur and tibia, and the ratio between the legs and upper body all influence balance in a deep squat. Here are a few key factors:
- Leg length vs torso: People with shorter legs relative to their torso generally find it easier to maintain balance in a deep squat than those with longer limbs.
- Pelvic shape & femur orientation: The angle and orientation of the femoral neck in the hip socket affect range of motion and potential bone impingement when the knees are pushed too far forward or close together.
- Bone morphology: The size of the femoral head, the depth of the hip socket, pelvic width, and the shape of the femur–tibia structure can make squatting feel more or less comfortable.
Interestingly, these bone characteristics are largely determined by genetics and inherited from our ancestors, who adapted to specific lifestyles and movement patterns over centuries. While they can’t be changed easily, they help explain why some people naturally find squatting easier than others.
Key 3: Collagen & Joint Flexibility
Beyond bone structure, the ability to squat is also influenced by the flexibility of connective tissues, particularly collagen in muscles and ligaments. Collagen helps maintain joint elasticity, and genetic variations in its structure can make some people more flexible or even naturally hypermobile.
According to several studies, Asian populations tend to have a higher prevalence of joint hypermobility, which may explain why movements like the Asian squat are easier for many people in the region.
Key 4: Habits & Lifestyle
But the most crucial factor is habit. From a young age, many people in Asia grow up squatting—in homes, at mealtimes, or in toilets—training their muscles and joints to remain flexible and stable over time.
In contrast, Western societies are chair-centric. This means ankles and hips rarely move through their full range, leading to stiffness and reduced mobility. The good news is that this ability can be relearned through regular stretching and mobility exercises.
The ability to do the Asian squat isn’t about race, it’s about anatomy, habits, and how we treat our bodies. We were all born with this ability; some of us have simply lost the habit of using it.
So, before laughing at a friend struggling to keep their heels on the ground, maybe it’s time to start practicing it yourself, one small step at a time.
Source:
- https://www.ejgm.co.uk/download/role-of-ankle-dorsiflexion-in-sports-performance-and-injury-risk-a-narrative-review-13412.pdf
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10867967/
- https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0312152
- https://www.iphysio.sg/articles/what-your-ability-to-squat-can-say-about-your-hip-shapes
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8027473/
- https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2023.0302
- https://www.physio-pedia.com/Benign_Joint_Hypermobility_Syndrome
