Proper Pooping
“[Humans are] not meant to sit on a toilet, but to squat in a field.”
-Michael I. Freilich, MD
As the mother of a 2 ½ year old, and certified holistic health counselor, you can bet that I talk about poop a lot. Helping people to poop properly has become a major part of my life!
Daily, comfortable elimination is one of the “platforms” of overall health. I have worked with countless clients who were dealing with chronic constipation. Some people are constipated and they don’t even know it – they think it’s normal to “go” 2-3 times a week. It’s not. Healthy elimination means pooping without strain or discomfort at least once a day.
Encouraging people to squat on the toilet, or use one of the new squat platforms below, has cured many people of hemorrhoids and prevents fecal stagnation that can lead to intestinal diseases.
One of the easiest, cheapest ways that I have found works to help people poop more perfectly is the old fashioned squat. The “primitive” people of the world still eliminate the way our ancestors did, by squatting over holes in the floor which are connected to a septic system, ditch or even modern plumbing.
I am reminded of my trip to Hong Kong several years ago. At almost every tourist site, the public toilets looked like “modern” American facilities – until you went in the stall! There was no toilet! Just a hole in the floor 
– but it was clean, there was toilet paper, and everyone seemed fine with it so I gave it a “go.” I found it was much easier for eliminating.
Now you can buy modern, squat-inducing “natural position” toilets at – http://www.blueearthceramics.com/.
If you don’t want to go all the way to installing a new toilet (even though they look pretty cool!) you can buy a cheaper kit called Nature’s Platform at http://www.naturesplatform.com/index.html which fits around your already existing toilet.
If you don’t feel like plunking down some change for a new toilet or even the platform kit, you can help yourself eliminate easier by simply squatting on your heels for a few minutes before sitting on the toilet. This will get things moving quicker and easier. 
Happy eliminating!
Alexandra
cool, I’ll try the pre-poop squatting. I lived in Japan and know that squatting works nicely.
this is hillarious but undeniably true… it works miraculously for constipation.
I can’t buy any new items and the pre-squat isn’t always available to me. I’ve found having a stool to raise my feet on works wonders. Plus it’s there for others who are so inclined.
Hi Alex,
I love this idea. I can’t afford to buy the products but I’ve been using the a stool to raise my feet and it really does help. This also reminds me of childbirth and how in most hospitals they have you on your back when it is much easier to give birth in a squatting position.
Using a stool is still bad.
I had the beginning stages of Crohn’s, IBS, and a hemmorhoid. After two months of squatting, ALL ARE GONE! No joke. I am a 38-year-old athlete, so I squat on the top of my sit-down toilet. You won’t believe the muscles that become developed in your legs due to this position. It does take patience for the first week or so.