Hindu Squats

[backinjured]

Not a good idea - hindu squats are done on the toes with feet together, they are designed to be a bodyweight exercise. If you move onto squats with weights, do proper traditional weight-training squats with barbells - the type that Mr. Kurz recommends, which I think is what you see in the videos etc. In these you keep your feet flat on the ground, providing stability for the extra weight.

I've just looked again at Secrets of Stretching and Mr Kurz is doing squats holding a dumbbell in each hand and squatting on toes just like in Hindu Squats.

Holding dumbbells in hands and doing squats does not make them Hindu squats. You miss the point of Hindu squats.

Ok, maybe it shouldn't be called hindu squats but still the movement is very similar. Is the squat you demonstrate working really differently from hindu squats?

If weights are added to Hindu squats they are put on one's neck or on the trunk.

Then I don't understand why you demonstrate hindu-squats-like with dumbbells in your video. I'm probably misunderstanding something. Please tell me.

What is this business with asking what will happen when ... ? First get there, then you will know what can or should be done.

Yeah! You're totally right! But my point was that I didn't understand why hindu squats couldn't develop leg strength like other leg exercises. I thought adding weights would do so if bodyweight hindu squats are working only on strengthening and endurance.

Thank you all

[Thomas Kurz]

Ok, maybe it shouldn't be called hindu squats but still the movement is very similar.

It is not.

Is the squat you demonstrate working really differently from hindu squats?

Yes. You would know if you did Hindu squats instead of talking about them.

Then I don't understand why you demonstrate hindu-squats-like with dumbbells in your video.

I do not demonstrate Hindu squats with dumbbells on the video Secrets of Stretching or in any other video.

[CrazyBoy]

Mr Kurz I have a "stupid" question: can hindu squats be performed wearing on a weight vest (a sand-filled waistcoat)? I mean to make the exercise more difficult.

[backinjured]

I know it is not Hindu Squats...

Yes. You would know if you did Hindu squats instead of talking about them.

Well I'm probably really dumb then because I've been practicing Hindu Squats more than a week now and I still don't understand what is the difference from what you're showing. You squat almost the same way, on toes as i already said, bending knees, keeping back straight maybe leaning a little bit foward, coming up and down, having a dumbbell in each hand. You do not do the arms movements as Matt Furey demonstrates (but this could be his version only, I don't know if the original hindu squats have those hands movements, probably). maybe the breathing is a bit different, I don't know. But to me, the squat seems similar. But if you say it doesn't then I guess I'm stupid and it doesn't...

Thanks

[Thomas Kurz]

can hindu squats be performed wearing on weight vest (a sand-filled waistcoat)?

Yes.

[DanBor]

I know it is not Hindu Squats...

Yes. You would know if you did Hindu squats instead of talking about them.

Well I'm probably really dumb then because I've been practicing Hindu Squats more than a week now and I still don't understand what is the difference from what you're showing. You squat almost the same way, on toes as i already said, bending knees, keeping back straight maybe leaning a little bit foward, coming up and down, having a dumbbell in each hand. You do not do the arms movements as Matt Furey demonstrates (but this could be his version only, I don't know if the original hindu squats have those hands movements, probably). maybe the breathing is a bit different, I don't know. But to me, the squat seems similar. But if you say it doesn't then I guess I'm stupid and it doesn't...

Thanks

You are not dumb, its just misunderstanding. Hindu squats brings beside leg strenght also "lung power" so its a breathing exercise. When you said if you can do it with dumbells in your hands - of course you can, but then it will not be breathing exercise anymore, it will be just squats, not hindu squats.

[Thomas Kurz]

You are not dumb, its just misunderstanding.

Not following simple instructions is not "misunderstanding."

A question for you: Have you watched those squats I do on the video Secrets of Stretching so you can compare them to Hindu squats?

[CrazyBoy]

Backinjured, that's not the attitude we want: you're not dumb or stupid or whatever, you just need more experience (I think). So, before you start feeling sorry for yourself or insulting yourself, put your arse to work. Mr Kurz is already giving you a tip: follow the instructions properly!

[DanBor]

I agree with Crazyboy, get to work, but first gather some knowledge. And again I don't think you're stupid or anything, I think forum is supose to "exist" because people can help each other. If you don't have Kurz's book yet get it, also read all the columns and you will find a lots of imformation on this forum. Also Pavel's books and Powerflex book might help.
Good luck.

[DanBor]

You are not dumb, its just misunderstanding.

Not following simple instructions is not "misunderstanding."

A question for you: Have you watched those squats I do on the video Secrets of Stretching so you can compare them to Hindu squats?

I don't wanna sound stupid but is this question for backinjured?

[Thomas Kurz]

No, this question is not for backinjured. It is obviously a question for you.

[DanBor]

Yes, I have seen those squats on video.

[backinjured]

I don't consider myself stupid and you don't have to worry about my self-esteem. Of course you don't want this attitude on the board, and I know I have VERY few knowledge that's why I'm trying to learn a bit but all the answers I get is some "No!, No" or "It is not" without getting any explanation.

"Not following simple instructions is not "misunderstanding." "

If you don't want to explain me anything and giving right reasons and explanations about something then fine, just don't waste your time answering me things that are almost insults to me and not helping me understanding anything better.

I believe my question made sense and I can post anytime some screen captures of Secrets of Stretching to show that from side view, TO ME, it looks like a Hindu Squats EXCEPT the dumbbells and arm movements. I don't know about the breathing or lung power thing, is this the only really difference that makes the body working in a different way form Hindu Squats?

i've never meant to disturb the peace of the forum nor to insult anyone or show disrespect. I"m sorry.

[mat]

I believe my question made sense and I can post anytime some screen captures of Secrets of Stretching to show that from side view, TO ME, it looks like a Hindu Squats EXCEPT the dumbbells and arm movements. I don't know about the breathing or lung power thing, is this the only really difference that makes the body working in a different way form Hindu Squats?

A squat is simply a squat - a squatting movement which works your leg muscles. As an exercise, squats can be done a dozen (or more) different ways. Traditional weightlifting squats (with a barbell weighing at least as much as yourself) happens to be a very good way of building strength for improving leg and hip flexibility, which is why they're mentioned a lot on this forum.

A Hindu Squat is simply another variation which has been performed in India and China for thousands of years. A Hindu Squat combines the squatting movement with deep breathing and balance to give much more of a whole-body workout, hence the arm movements which are designed to help expand your chest and coordinate your breathing. A Hindu squat cannot be done any other way - as in Bungee-jumping without a Bungee is not Bungee jumping, but still involves jumping!

As Hindu squats exercise your balance and core-stability systems as well as your legs, it is a very good general fitness and coordination exercise. Traditional weightlifting squats put a lot of pressure on your back and they are not recommended until you have developed a strong back.

Nobody wants to put detailed instructions for you on here - it's too much hassle and there are plenty of excellent books (including Mr. Kurz's books & Videos) which tell you exactly how to do them. As much as I dislike Matt Furey's marketing blurb, his Combat Conditioning book is excellent and has very clear instructions and pictures for performing Hindu Squats and many other very good exercises. You've really got to get practising and work out what works for you - it's different for everybody.

Good luck,
Mat

[backinjured]

Thanks a lot for this detailed answer

But would it be harmful in anyway to perform the same squatting movement used in Hindu Squats but holding dumbbells? Would it be too hard on knees or something. I know I'm not at this level, I still have lots of work to do with normal hindu squats, but right now I'm resting to let my body recover from a previous hindu squats training so can I simply ask if someday, when I'll be good at it, I could add weights (dumbbells) during hindu squats? A weight vest seems to be possible, but why not the dumbbells? If someone is able to do 2000 squats in one set, why couldn't he hold dumbbells to make it a bit harder?