Since the dawn of mankind , humans rested, cooked, socialized, and even gave birth in a position many of us today struggle to hold for more than a few seconds: the deep squat. Across Asia, Africa, and indigenous cultures worldwide, squatting was—and still is—a natural resting posture that connects us to our most fundamental movement patterns.

But somewhere along the way, the modern West traded this primal position for chairs. Over decades, this seemingly innocent shift has exacted a hidden toll on our bodies: stiff hips, weakened cores, persistent low back pain, and an increasing dependence on artificial support just to move through our daily lives. “Sitting is the new smoking “!

Deep down, many of us sense something has been lost. We feel disconnected from the natural freedom our bodies were designed for, yet we’re not sure how to bridge the gap between our modern sedentary lifestyle and our movement-rich past. The question becomes: how do we reclaim what generations before us took for granted?

Our contemporary lifestyle revolves around one position: sitting. We sit at desks for work, in cars during commutes, on couches for entertainment, and in restaurants for meals. The average adult now spends between 8 and 12 hours daily in chairs—a posture that systematically shortens hip flexors, deactivates crucial stabilizing muscles, compresses the spine, and creates a cascade of compensatory problems throughout the body.

Consider the stark contrast with squatting. This dynamic, weight-bearing rest position naturally maintains hip mobility, encourages spinal alignment, and keeps the core subtly but consistently engaged. For most of human history, the deep squat served as our default resting posture, seamlessly woven into daily life rather than relegated to exercise routines.

When we abandon squatting, we essentially stop maintaining our body’s natural movement blueprint. The consequences accumulate over time: chronically tight hips and hamstrings, weakened pelvic floor and deep core muscles, persistent back discomfort, diminished ankle mobility, and gradual postural decline. This isn’t merely about losing flexibility—it represents a fundamental loss of the resilience that once defined human movement.

The deep squat transcends cultural boundaries, appearing as one of humanity’s most universal positions. Anthropologists consistently document its prevalence across diverse societies, and in many cultures, it remains vibrantly alive today. Walk through markets in Asia or Africa, and you’ll see vendors squatting comfortably for hours while preparing food or engaging with customers. Indigenous communities worldwide continue to use squatting as their natural posture for gathering, working, and storytelling.

Perhaps most telling is watching children. Nearly every toddler can drop effortlessly into a perfect deep squat, playing or resting in this position without strain or discomfort. Only as we introduce chairs, desks, and structured sitting do we gradually train this natural ability out of their bodies—and our own.

This pattern isn’t a cultural accident or arbitrary preference. The deep squat is hardwired into our anatomy, representing not just how we can move, but how we’re designed to move.

Reintroducing the deep squat into modern life is about honoring our biology. 

Contemporary research reveals why this position serves as such a powerful antidote to our sedentary struggles. The squat moves the hip joint through its complete range of motion, preserving cartilage health and preventing the stiffness that comes from repetitive, limited movement patterns. Unlike the slouched postures common to prolonged sitting, squatting naturally encourages spinal lengthening and proper alignment. The position requires light but constant engagement of deep stabilizing muscles, providing strengthening benefits without the strain of traditional exercise.

Beyond musculoskeletal benefits, squatting offers advantages that extend throughout the body’s systems. The posture naturally compresses and massages the abdominal cavity, supporting healthy digestion. It promotes optimal pelvic floor function, serving as a natural counter to the dysfunction created by hours of sitting in chairs. Research even suggests that cultures maintaining regular squatting practices show lower rates of certain hip and knee problems as they age.

In essence, if sitting has become the new smoking in terms of health risks, squatting aka hunkerin, represents a powerful, accessible antidote.

Here lies the central challenge: most adults have lost the ability to comfortably hold a deep squat. Decades of chair-dependent living have shortened tissues, reduced joint mobility, and created compensatory movement patterns that make the position feel foreign or uncomfortable. Simply telling someone to “squat more” often leads to frustration, strain, or even injury.

This gap between ancient wisdom and modern limitation is precisely where innovation can serve tradition. The Hunkerin Stool represents a thoughtful solution to this dilemma—a modern tool designed to help you gradually reintegrate the deep squat without forcing your body beyond its current capabilities.

By providing a slight elevation, three 10” conical compression springs, the stool reduces pressure on stiff ankles and tight hips, making the position accessible to everyone from dedicated athletes to desk-bound professionals. It’s not merely a piece of equipment; it’s a bridge connecting you back to your natural movement heritage, allowing your body to remember what it once knew instinctively.

Reclaiming your squatting ability doesn’t require dramatic lifestyle changes or intensive training programs. The most sustainable approach emphasizes gradual integration and consistent practice over forcing immediate results.

Begin by incorporating the Hunkerin Stool into activities you already enjoy. Use it while reading, watching television, or having your morning coffee. Start with just a few minutes at a time, allowing your body to adapt naturally to the position. As you become more comfortable, try replacing one traditional sitting period each day with supported squatting.

The key is progressive development. As your mobility improves and the position feels more natural, gradually reduce your reliance on the stool’s support. Your goal isn’t to achieve a perfect deep squat overnight, but to slowly rebuild the capacity your body once possessed. Consistency trumps intensity—five to ten minutes of daily practice will yield far better results than an hour of occasional effort.

This approach respects your body’s current limitations while gently coaxing it back toward its natural capabilities. You’re not imposing foreign demands on your system; you’re simply reintroducing movements it already recognizes.

The stakes extend beyond individual comfort or mobility. Our collective movement away from natural resting positions reflects a deeper disconnection from the wisdom embedded in human biology. If we continue ignoring this loss, the consequences become increasingly clear: greater dependence on ergonomic “solutions” that address symptoms rather than causes, escalating discomfort and immobility as we age, and a widening gap between our bodies’ needs and our daily practices.

But when we make the effort to reclaim the squat, the benefits extend far beyond improved hip flexibility or reduced back pain. We begin moving with greater freedom, aging with enhanced resilience, and rediscovering strength and capability we thought were permanently lost. We reconnect with the intuitive wisdom that guided human movement for millennia, adapting it thoughtfully to our contemporary lifestyle.

Picture yourself six months from now, able to drop comfortably into a deep squat while waiting for a train, playing with children, or simply taking a different kind of rest break during your workday. Imagine hips that move freely without the chronic stiffness that currently defines your relationship with your body. Envision a spine that feels naturally lengthened and supported rather than compressed and fatigued after long days at a desk.

This isn’t wishful thinking— this is the Magick of the Hunkerin Stool - it’s your biology patiently waiting to be reawakened! Your body possesses an extraordinary capacity for adaptation and recovery, even after years of limited movement patterns. The deep squat represents not just a position, but a pathway back to the natural resilience that is your birthright.

The deep squat isn’t a fitness trend or cultural curiosity—it’s a fundamental human inheritance that modern life has temporarily obscured. With the Hunkerin Stool, you can take concrete steps toward restoring this lost capacity, honoring both the wisdom of your ancestors and the needs of your contemporary body.

Your journey back to natural movement begins with a single choice: to value what your body needs over what modern convention has taught you to accept. The path is gentler than you might expect, and the destination—a body that moves with freedom, strength, and natural grace—is closer than you think.

Your body remembers how to squat. Sometimes it just needs a little help remembering how to Hunker Down!