Gorilla Squat

  • Strengthens legs (quadriceps and glutes), which improves children’s ability to sit and stand back up again from chair/floor and improves walking and running endurance.
  • Provides deep pressure proprioceptive input to the torso and joints, which assists children to achieve a “calm alert” state, ready for learning.

 

HANDOUT
PRACTISE JOURNAL
TECHNIQUE VIDEO

Uses

Do this exercise against the wall of the classroom prior to entering in the morning, or after breaks, as a quick sensory regulation activity.

Instructions

  1. Stand with your chair just behind you 
  2. Step your feet apart (a bit wider than your shoulders), and turn your toes out slightly
  3. Bend your knees and reach your hips back to squat down almost to your chair
  4. Hold for as long as you can
child_gorilla_squat

Watch Points

  • Knees kept wide, facing over your toes
  • Hips reaching back 
  • Chest upright and eyes looking forward

Against a wall:

  • Do the Gorilla Squat with your back against a wall.  Step your feet forward and slide your back down the wall until it looks like you’re sitting in a chair.  Hold for as long as you can, then use your hands against the wall to push yourself back up.

Seated:

  • Place hands on the sides of your chair.  Push down with your hands (and your legs/feet if possible) to lift your bottom.  Hold for as long as you can. 
  • Sit still on an exercise ball and focus on your balance.

Progress Tracker

For how long can you hold the Gorilla Squat position against a wall?