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"stressless" and "zero gravity" chairs

patb
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07/22/2009 - 7:44pm
"stressless" and "zero gravity" chairs
I am now 2/3 through the course and have adapted my car seat for stretchsitting and my dining room chair for stacksitting.  But I am having problems with the other three chairs I sit in during the rest of my day.  I have been using what I thought were really comfortable chairs that keep my spine straight and my knees above my hips, but now I notice that all three cause my pelvis to tuck, somewhat.  For tv watching at home and for work (I don't use a computer at work since I am a psychologist), I use leather "stressless" chairs with a footstool.  Outside, for reading, I use a light weight Zero Gravity chair.  Can I adapt these to make them work better?  I have been experimenting with checking my pelvic tilt frequently and trying to find the right place for a small lumber pillow, but I wonder if there is something else to do. Thanks
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09/10/2008 - 8:36pm
There's almost always a way to modify a chair so it works for you. Sounds like a small sacral cushion or a longer cushion extending all the way down behind your back (but leaving space for your behind to be behind you) would work. You want to engineer it to support the right length and shape in your spine. The cushion shouldn't be too cushy - it needs to support you.

Keep trying and feel free to post pictures here (mount on photobucket.com and liink here) or bring your cushions to class.
KathleenSchuppel
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01/16/2017 - 3:37am

 

CAN YOU COMMENT ON WHAT THE ISSUE IS WITH THE STRESSLESS CHAIR NOT SUPPORTING THE SPINE THE WAY ESTHER TEACHES IT? Also what discomfort do you feel with the stressless chair? I was thinking of purchasing one but from your comments, I would like to further investigate the spine support. Thanks in advance for your reply.

Abeja Judy Hummel
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06/12/2012 - 12:49pm

HI Kathleen,

I am not sure what a "stressless" chair is.  If you could post a picture, I could perhaps comment on it. 

What we suggest looking for in a chair is 1) room for the behind to be behind you, 2) seat flat or slightly angled down in front, with the knees level with or lower than the hips to keep you from tucking, 3) a way to hook your mid-back on the chair to create gentle lower back traction, and 4) room for the shoulders to hang towards the back of your body.

After the Gokhale Method Pain Free Chair (click on the "products" link at the top of the page to learn more), the only chairs I have personally found that sort of have all that are simple metal folding chairs--especially if you add a stretch-sit cushion.

Sincerely,

Abeja Hummel

Gokhale Method Instructor

 

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