Spending time on the ground in varied positions (cross-legged, seiza, deep squat, pigeon) exposes the hips to a wider variety of angles, which is said to build strength, flexibility and control all at once.

noli's read

The biomechanical logic is solid on one checkable point: a kinematic study (Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 2020) confirms hip flexion range varies substantially by ground position, with the deep squat requiring the most flexion among common sitting positions. On whether these positions durably improve hip mobility, direct evidence is still missing: the only registered controlled trial specifically testing deep squatting and cross-legged sitting against chronic low back pain (NCT06852677) is currently running, with no published results yet. The word 'remodel' for hips, ankles, knees and spine is a stronger claim than the available literature supports — there's correlational range-of-motion data, not proof of lasting structural change caused by the practice. The cited references (Katy Bowman, Kit Laughlin) are respected practitioners in functional-mobility circles, but their work isn't a substitute for a published controlled trial. The practical advice — vary ground positions daily, without forcing — remains sound and very low-risk, even though 'remodel' oversells what can currently be expected.

the sources

No named source held this one up — that absence is part of the verdict.