I really enjoyed the Gokhale class and the personalized instruction! Your warm character and relatable teaching style were much appreciated. I saw the pragmatic nurse part of you because my daughter is like this too as a nurse (BSN). The Gokhale Method reminds me that we humans are indeed "wonderfully made."
I used the angled seat pad and stack sitting pad on the drive back to Wilmington. Interestingly, when we would stop and get out of the low-sitting Camry, my back wasn't as stiff as usual. (Usually, I'm trying to sleep lying down in some fashion) and getting out of the car is rather painful. I'll assume the position being more upright and corrected was beneficial. I did lean the seat a tad backward so I could nap if I wanted. Not too much of an angle. Kept doing the stretch sitting time to time and shoulder roll and rib compression. (I'm going to have to spend extra time on this rib issue as it seems so strange to me, but I see the point of this movement).
Today I was at the computer a good deal and used the sitting posture you showed me with the rib maneuver, bottom back, shoulder roll and pressing on the occipital bones and certainly had a better time of it. I also did the "man style sitting with my feet turning outward. Watched a video where Ester suggested we need to get up from the computer maybe every 15 minutes!
And, on a walk, I remembered the glutes needed to be flexed! Also, weight on the heels. Head straight, not up nor down. Even while doing chores here at home, I was flexing my glutes and keeping aware to not bend my neck upward too much when doing things like retrieving clothes from the dryer. The hip hinging I find pretty easy since I had done that some prior.
The homework is coming along well. This takes much repeating which is expected, and I foresee this as a wonderful learning process whereby when the back surgery happens, I'll be more prepared! I'm grateful for your skill in getting me started on this journey. I'll keep you posted as to progress, etc. Thank you again, Amy.