I just got "8 steps" and am so excited by the first 50 pages!
Then I tried to stretchsit and just can not make it work.
I solicited my wife's help and we both couldn't do it.
I tried 5 different chair.
Nothing hitches, or sticks between my back and the chairs.
I've tried with and without folded towel.
Any ideas?
Thank you,
Joseph
Then I tried to stretchsit and just can not make it work.
I solicited my wife's help and we both couldn't do it.
I tried 5 different chair.
Nothing hitches, or sticks between my back and the chairs.
I've tried with and without folded towel.
Any ideas?
Thank you,
Joseph
14 years 7 months ago
04/11/2010 - 5:26pm
I'm certainly not too skinny (5'9", 220lb, male), but there just doesn't seem to be anything about my mid-back to catch/hook/hitch onto a chair.
This is so frustrating because I've come to this book after decades of back pain and tons of failed treatments and was so enthused by what I've read so far -- and so eager to put it into practice.
Help please!
6 years 5 months ago
09/16/2008 - 4:29pm
Does the chair have a fabric back? If it's wood or leather (or something else with very little friction), then the towel/flannel won't stick to it.
The Stretchsit cushion that Esther designed is by far the best and easiest thing to use in many chairs, including those in cars. (It's available on the website). You could also try a folded up yoga mat or drawer liner (or similar material).
Also - realize that you don't need a big stretch. Just a very mild one is perfect. And you may not necessarily even feel the stretch in the muscles, but you can check for that pinch of flesh right above the point of contact with the backrest. (page 41 of [i]8 Steps[i][/i][/i]).
14 years 7 months ago
04/11/2010 - 5:26pm
Thanks so much for the help.
I've tried a bare metal folding chair, a wood back chair, a plastic chair and a mesh back office chair. I've tried with both a towel and without. There's no friction whatsoever. I have not tried it without a shirt on, but it seems taking it off is not necessary.
I'm certain I'm not getting any stretch -- no back roll whatsoever is made.
The closest I've come is the push my should blades out and hook them over the back of the chair -- I know that's not correct.
Could you please explain the process a little more (I honestly read that section of the book about 20 times)? The towel/flannel should stick to the chair? How would it do that? And my shirt and/or skin should stick to the towel too?
I just watched Esther's Google Authors talk on youtube -- I'm blown away that everyone can make this work except, it seems, me (other than frequent, severe pain in the very lower back, and about 25 extra lbs, I'm pretty fit).
Thanks,
Joseph
6 years 5 months ago
09/16/2008 - 4:29pm
It would be hard for me to write a better description of Stretchsitting than the book. You can check out the youtube video for the Stretchsit cushion that shows Stretchsitting here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPIFgeQFHgY
Also, you may want to sign up for a free intro Gokhale Method class (if you aren't near Palo Alto, CA, which I assume is probably the case, you can sign up for a free online class). Esther teaches the online classes and it's in an interactive web meeting format so you can ask questions.
13 years 6 months ago
05/03/2011 - 4:58am
Have you tried an office ergonomic chairs or mesh back task chair? This is what we use in the office, and it really helps ease back pains and allows use to sit stretch too.