For thousands of years, humans have rested on the ground using variations of a squat, cross-legged, or kneeling position. And despite the availability of chairs and things to sit on, sitting on the floor is still common in many cultures.
According to reports, many English-speaking people refer to floor sitting as “Indian style,” though it’s also known as “Turkish style.” In Korea, it’s called “Yangban style”—named after the traditional ruling class. In Japan, the formal way to sit is called seiza, which involves kneeling on the floor with the buttocks resting on the heels.