Importance of Squatting

Submitted by jon108 on April 24, 2004 - 10:36am
Body: 

I think that the most important thing any woman can do to protect and heal her pelvic floor is to squat for bowel movements. Of all the unnatural and damaging influences of modern life, the sitting toilet has to be the worst.

Every time we hold our breath and push downwards, we are abusing the delicate mechanism that holds our pelvic organs in place. Even men (like me) are affected by this process. The prostate becomes diseased when the nerves of the pelvic floor are damaged by decades of straining on the toilet.

As Christine has repeated over and over, our anatomy was perfectly designed by an all-knowing Intelligence. But something has gone horribly wrong and very few people know what it is. There is no reason why one out of every three women should be having a hysterectomy. Or why rectoceles, cystoceles, and incontinence should be so pervasive. The "porcelain throne" is the reason.

So, please, if your knees are in good shape and you can possibly squat, start immediately. You don't have to buy anything or ask anyone's permission. If you're really flexible and agile, squat on the toilet seat (unless you're really heavy, because the porcelain has been known to break, with disastrous results.) Or, you can build your own squatting device. My website http://www.naturesplatform.com has instructions (see question #6 on the FAQ page.)

Christine has kindly linked to my site on her resources page. But I'm posting this message as well because I feel that this factor is the most crucial one. Also, I've recently added a "hysterectomy" section to my health-benefits page, explaining why sitting toilets have led to the epidemic of hysterectomies.

I'll end here, but I just want to thank you, Christine, for your enlightened vision and your courageous service to your fellow women (and men).

Warmly,

Jonathan

Christine

April 24, 2004 - 10:57am

Dear Jonathan,

Thank you so very much for joining us and for posting your beautiful message. Please consider coming to our conference in the summer (date to be announced) and meeting all these wonderful and brave women.

Joyfully,

Christine

fullofgrace

April 24, 2004 - 2:19pm

This looks great. I wondered how one could squat with the way our society is set up. My (only!) bathroom is so tiny, I can't see that fitting. There is barely any space between the wall, cabinet and the toilet. I do however believe that especially post-partum, that this would be great. One more reason we need a bigger house!!!
Jane

jon108

April 24, 2004 - 6:26pm

Jane,

Please don't wait till post-partum.

Most of the damage seems to happen during pregnancy. I base this on studies like this one http://www.ican-online.org/news/120100.htm that have found only slightly less pelvic floor prolapse in women who have had C-Sections verus vaginal births.

During pregnancy the damaging effect of the Valsalva Maneuver (holding your breath and pushing down with the diaphragm) is multiplied greatly. When using the toilet in the squatting position, there's virtually no pushing required, and definitely no holding of breath.

There are a dozen different ways to use the squatting position, no matter what kind of a bathroom you have. I can make some suggestions if you call or email me (contact info. at the Nature's Platform site).

Best regards,
Jonathan

fullofgrace

April 27, 2004 - 7:17pm

Jon,
I have to agree with you. I've been doing some crazy balancing on the toilet seat the last couple of days. I know once my belly gets bigger I won't be able to. But I cannot believe how effortless it is. My toddler has a training toilet that as I get bigger, I may use. I hate the thought of that, though-- yick! :) Any more sanitary ideas you have would be appreciated.
Jane

fullofgrace

April 27, 2004 - 7:19pm

tried to edit that from Jon to Jonathan, but it wouldn't let me...I only remembered your user name when I wrote the message... my apologies...
Jane

jon108

June 22, 2004 - 6:14pm

Hi Christine,

What a treat to hear your message on my voice mail today!

Yes, I'd be happy to tell you what little I know about buying and installing your own genuine squat toilet. For someone who owns her own home, and isn't too concerned about possibly depressing its resale value, this is obviously the most ideal way to make the conversion. But it ain't cheap.

This site http://www.cromwell-intl.com/toilet/#buying_squatters contains a discussion of "Buying and Installing Your Own Squat Toilet." One of its links is to Zurn Plumbing, the only U.S. company that sells a plumbed porcelain squat toilet. It's made in Erie, PA. Since they have a monopoly -- and since they know that most of their customers are wealthy immigrants who simply can't live without a squat toilet -- they charge quite an outrageous price (close to $1000, not including the flush valve or the services of the plumber.)

Also, check on the building codes in your area. Squat toilets are not permitted in most areas of the U.S. God only knows why!

When the damaging effects of the modern commode become well-known, squat toilets will not only be permitted, but [b]required[/b] everywhere.

All the best,
Jonathan

Christine

June 23, 2004 - 7:20am

Thank you SO MUCH for the info, Jonathan! We'll all have to deal with this as best we can!