Can We Speak Frankly?

Let’s face it, unless your visit to India is five stars all the way, sooner or later you will have to come to terms with the Indian toilet. Having encountered this in the past, I’ve been determined to make squatting a regular part of my yoga asana practice since squatting is what it’s all about. No thrones, no T.P. The Indian toilet is basic, functional, and by all accounts, far more healthy and satisfactory for keeping things moving.

So what’s it all about? See picture and imagine yourself squatting deeply (foot pads conveniently provided), doing your business and then, ahem, resorting to a rather basic way of cleaning up afterward. The bucket of water and pitcher are there to help you do just that. Pour with the right hand, clean with the left. How the left-handed of the world manage this I do not know, but it lies behind (no pun intended) the privileging of right over left when it comes to greetings, touch, eating and all the rest.

So relax as much as you can, get down, and get it done.