Squat Garden

Simon A Harling
2 min readMay 15, 2022

I wanted a place for my kids to explore different movements, not worry about getting it right or pleasing their dad but to begin to find their own way.

So I created “The Squat Garden”.

Here are the rules that help my kids explore the squat pattern and shape how I show up, so I don’t get in the way.

Don’t look for the right answer. Do allow yourself to experience different ways to squat.

Don’t compare the different versions of the squat. Do know you will like some more than others. The ones you don’t like are not being mean but they are likely to be trying to teach you something.

Don’t think you need to do a set number or even do them in order. Do play and be curious. Watch what happens when you change the order in which you do things. Does one squat version make the next version feel easier or harder?

Don’t hold your breath. Do try inhaling on squatting down and exhaling on coming up and then try it the other way around. Does one make it easier than the other?

I talk about breath a lot. Here are a few resources that will help.

Close your mouth

Press up Garden

Teeth and taglines

There are rules to this game

Don’t just do the ones you like. Do try them all and by all means, do more of the ones you like the most.

And perhaps the most important rule of Squat Garden? Talk about it. Create an information-rich environment for your kids to enjoy.

Here are the videos my kids made in their very first Squat Garden. Enjoy

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Simon A Harling

Learning to live with others (coaching), living my best life (fitness), & sharing what I am working on (writing) https://linktr.ee/SimonHarling