couches

Wondering if Esther or some of the teachers can tell us what brand of sofas that they have in their homes.  I am looking to replace my old, soft sofa, which is not good for our backs.  I need a place to start and the only one I've found, so far, are Henry Miller/Goetz sofas - ultra modern and starting at $8,000.  If anyone can recommend a particular line that is less designer/specialty - I'd be grateful.  

Greetings-

What seems to work best is simple furniture designs that are in an "L" shape.  Less is more in terms of cushions, down fill, puff design etc.  

The modern style seems best as it allows you to get your behind behind you when sitting.  Remember to check width to make sure your feet are on the ground.  Fabric seems easier to stretch sit on than leather, but high quality leather can create some friction.

I recently purchased a Bradington Young sofa recliner: https://www.bradington-young.com/imagine-sofa-l-r-recline-articulating-hr/960-90-816/iteminformation.aspx

Good luck shopping!

Amy Smith, Gokhale Method teacher

 I am wondering if anyone else has discoved any good specific sofa models recently. It's not always possible to test out sofas in person so it would be great to get more recommendations, especially affordable options. Thanks!

Go into the stores and see what is firm enough and also give you back support.  I did this at Crate and Barrel and really liked the Gather sofa.  I could scoot back, cross legs and the back cushions gave good support for stretch sitting.  Also my arm could go above the back cushions and provide more lift and stretch.

However, I ordered this and the smell of the fabric or something was so chemically strong I had to return it.  Even though they claimed there were no flame retardants on it, it smelled like a new carpet smell.  Gave us headaches.   It felt great to sit on though.  

Not sure if it was the fabric and ordering with a different fabric would help.  I am probably going to get a custom made one like this with a maker that says they use eco glue and no smell fabric.  Hope this doesn't backfire.

the main thing i discovered, is not to get a memory foam bottom cushion as it doesn't help with the support, and also the back cushions need a lot of spring to push on your back for stretching on and have a little room (from the curve of the cushion, or from being lifted slightly at the bottom to let your butt go back.   The back cushions for this are usually not foam but overstuffed with a type of down alternative (like in pillows) that will spring back.  

Let me know what you find!

Got Crate and Barrel's Gather sofa in the leather and it has no smell.  Also, this leather is not slippery.  It is grippier than most for stretch sitting.    Caveat is the price is twice as high as the fabric version.  

From Esther on a prior post:

Something that will allow you to stretchsit, preferably without additional pillows, but at least when using additional pillows. It's not necessary that the sofa support you in stacksitting as well, though that would be nice. The main thing to keep in mind is that it should allow you to have a lengthened and well-shaped spine. Recommendation: master stretchsitting and stacksitting and then see if the sofa lives up to your standards!

This is from my prior post and it still applies:

Greetings-

What seems to work best is simple furniture designs that are in an "L" shape.  Less is more in terms of cushions, down fill, puff design etc.  

The modern style seems best as it allows you to get your behind behind you when sitting.  Remember to check width to make sure your feet are on the ground.  Fabric seems easier to stretch sit on than leather, but high quality leather can create some friction.

I recently purchased a Bradington Young sofa recliner: https://www.bradington-young.com/imagine-sofa-l-r-recline-articulating-hr/960-90-816/iteminformation.aspx

Good luck shopping!

Amy Smith, Gokhale Method teacher