This scene from the 2006 local documentary Kopi O Khau Sikit Kurang Manis shows young detainees being forced to do ear squats by the police. Little do they know they are also stimulating their thinking skills with this exercise. — Handout
Any naughty kid who attended a local primary school would be familiar with ketuk ketampi, also known as ear squats, or as the Indians call it, thoppukaranam.
It’s one of the punishments meted out to children who misbehave, score poorly in exams, or simply do not conform to rules set by parents and teachers.
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1. Use your left hand and hold your right earlobe, with the thumb in front and index finger at the back. Gently apply pressure and squeeze the earlobe. — Photos: REVATHI MURUGAPPAN/The Star
1. Use your left hand and hold your right earlobe, with the thumb in front and index finger at the back. Gently apply pressure and squeeze the earlobe. — REVATHI MURUGAPPAN/The Star
2. Cross your left arm in front and hold the right earlobe, similar to step 1.
2. Cross your left arm in front and hold the right earlobe, similar to step 1. — REVATHI MURUGAPPAN/The Star
3. Stand with your feet comfortably apart. The method advocated by Choa is to also curl your tongue to touch the back of your front teeth, but this is optional.
3. Stand with your feet comfortably apart. The method advocated by Choa is to also curl your tongue to touch the back of your front teeth, but this is optional. — REVATHI MURUGAPPAN/The Star
4. Inhale on your way down into a squat. Go as low as you can.
4. Inhale on your way down into a squat. Go as low as you can. — REVATHI MURUGAPPAN/The Star
5. Go lower if you’re able and/or want to work your thigh muscles. Exhale as you straighten back up to standing position. That’s one repetition. Repeat as many times as you’re comfortable with. Remember to apply gentle pressure on your earlobes throughout the squat, but do not pull them down!
5. Go lower if you're able and/or want to work your thigh muscles. Exhale as you straighten back up to standing position. That's one repetition. Repeat as many times as you're comfortable with. Remember to apply gentle pressure on your earlobes throughout the squat, but do not pull them down! — REVATHI MURUGAPPAN/The Star
