Don't Just Sit There by Katy Bowman, (04) Sitting Well, Notes

Post date: Aug 28, 2016 6:26:49 AM

Don't Just Sit There by Katy Bowman

Section 2 Move. Chapter 4. Sitting Well. Because the body adapts to the shape of the furniture we frequent, we must search out furniture shapes that disturb our physiology least. Our slouches feel natural to our unnaturally shaped bodies.

• • Sitting on a tucked under pelvis places constant pressure on the sacrum. This can negatively impact the health of the pelvis, pelvic floor and spine. To make adjustments without creating inappropriate muscle tension patterns, start with a zero rise (horizontal) chair (a kitchen chair) and make the car ride better by filling the bucket seat with a rolled towel. Sit at the edge of the chair, which will help roll the pelvis forward (hip bones moving toward knees, tailbone rising away from the chair. For greater assistance, sit on a rolled towel.

  • Ball Chairs. When sitting on ball chairs incorporate the same untucking. The knees closer to the floor than the hips.

  • In search of the perfect chair. A chair’s value increases with the frequency in which we choose not to use in it. Problems come from perpetual stillness, not the position itself. Rather than spending money on a more comfortable chair, spend time and effort on alignment and corrective exercise for musculoskeletal health.

  • Discomfort is nature’s way of telling us something is wrong. The way we sit can give us problems but it's the heaps and heaps of time we spend sitting that is the culprit. Ditch the chair and consider a seat. A seat is anything we can rest our bottoms on: stools, kickstands, the floor, etc. High or low. Use as necessary. Take several squat breaks throughout the day too.