Hello,
Short version: Are stools like the Vari Active Seat good for Stacksitting?
https://www.vari.com/active-seat/ST-ACTV.html
Long version: I'm new to Gokhale (as a preventative approach -- I currently don't have back issues but am hereditarily disposed) and started by Stretchsitting using a Gokhale cushion. But sometimes I'd rather just sit on a stool or even the edge of a desk. I like to be on my feet a good part of the day, so it would just seem convenient to sit on a stool rather than always sinking into a chair.
I've been intrigued by saddle stools but the advice is always to try before you buy because the shapes differ drastically from model to model. But there aren't any "showrooms" that feature saddlestools and returning an online purchase can be kind of a pain.
Well, one day I was in a store talking to a manager and I noticed he was sitting on a tallish stool that had a tiltable seat. He said everyone in the company had one instead of a chair and loved it. I tried it myself and liked it a lot. Though the minimum height is 25.5 inches and I'm only 5' 4" so I wasn't sure if that was low enough.
My questions:
- Are Vari Active Seats good for the pelvis and back?
- Does it matter if the soles of my feet can't lie flat on the floor due to the height of the stool?
BTW, I wouldn't be using the stool with a desk (they're actually made to be used with standing desks.) I would use it mainly just to rest from walking, maybe watch TV or talk with friends.
Thanks!
11 hours 46 min ago
10/03/2019 - 6:17am
Hello,
Stacksitting usually requires a wedge if you still have to release and lengthen relevant muscles (glutes, hamstrings, front of pelvis, back muscles etc). So that stool (which I've never tried) looks like it slopes down. A good test to see if it supports stacksitting is to sit on it (make sure feet can reach ground, question #2), and then slump. If you are stacksitting, you won't collapse if you slump. You'll stay upright.
Sitting hacks are to get a chair with a flat seat pan and sit on the edge, extend 1 leg in front of you, bend other leg underneath the first leg, externally rotate legs. Make sure seat is low enough for your feet to reach the floor, and high enough to have thighs angling down (knees below hips).
It's hard to describe in print, and harder without a picture of you actually sitting in the chair. If you have a picture I could have more concrete advice than general advice.
Good luck, don't hesitate to reach out again.
Sigrun