spinal massage

Over the years, I have often shown students with recliners that they can get a compression-relieving stretch in their lower back as the backrest slides away from the seat (assuming the mechanism is designed advantageously). This is something you might like to try out for yourself. 

The benefits of gentle back traction

We developed our Stretchsit® Cushion and our Gokhale® Pain-Free Chair with incorporated “sticky” nubs that give the same advantages of gentle traction to the back. The unique design of the nubs teases apart all the lumbar vertebrae, easing compression in the lower spine, and taking the pressure off the spinal nerves, discs, and bones. Stretchsitting can now be done virtually anywhere, and has provided a healing breakthrough for thousands of back pain sufferers, making comfortable, therapeutic sitting available in the car, the office, and the home. You can watch our free introductory video on stretchsitting here.

Our Stretchsit Cushion has made travel comfortable again for thousands of people.

A natural advantage of reclining over upright sitting is that the change in angle reduces weight on the spinal discs, nerves, and bones, especially at the “bottom of the heap.” No wonder so many people of all ages find it so comfortable. And it is super relaxing!

We instinctively recline to relax more completely. Image from Pexels

An executive chair with three healthy sitting options

We wanted our recently launched Gokhale® Executive Chair to offer all the benefits of the healthy sitting positions that we teach in our Gokhale® Foundations course, one-day Gokhale® Immersion course, and our online Gokhale® Elements course. Its comprehensive design enables you to stretchsit against its adjustable backrest, to perch perfectly to stacksit at your keyboard, or to recline and reset your entire spine. In the photographs below you can see these three healthy sitting positions in action in the office.

Not only can you stretchsit perfectly against the adjustable backrest, but it also has shoulder cutaways to allow you to posteriorly align your shoulders. 

The downward slope at the front of the seat tips your pelvis gently forward, allowing your vertebrae to stack easily and your back muscles to relax. The resulting freedom allows a gentle spinal massage with every breath. 

 
The multi-adjustable headrest can give precise cervical alignment and support. Recline and reset your spine to take calls, think outside the box, or simply enjoy the feeling. 

Materials and craftsmanship

This chair is handcrafted to order from the highest quality Italian leather, chosen for both durability and breathability. It is upholstered with high-resilience foam to remain as comfortable and supportive over the years as on day one. 

We think you’ll agree that our executive chair is altogether the perfect package!

On receiving her chair, Gokhale Elements alumna Katie Stringer wrote:

Thank you all so much. I received my Gokhale Method chair today. I want you to know that this is by far the most comfortable chair I’ve ever sat in. I am beyond thankful to have found you and your wonderful method.

A special opportunity to learn healthy sitting

Learning our well-honed Gokhale Method techniques for healthy sitting will give you optimal results from your Gokhale Executive Chair. We are delighted to offer, with each chair purchased between December 1 and December 26, a complimentary 25-minute personal consultation (worth $99) with one of our expert teachers.

During this session, you or the happy recipient of the chair will learn:

• How to use the chair's features for effective stretchsitting at your desk
• Optimal settings for restorative stretchreclining
• How to lengthen your neck
• Custom adjustments for your body and needs

This video demonstrates how the chair’s features improve your alignment.

People at their desks the world over need our executive chair! It is currently available with free shipping within the US and Canada. If you live elsewhere, please contact Customer Support at [email protected], +1 844 777 0440 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon–Sat, US PST), who will be pleased to help you.

Best next action steps 

If you would like help with your stretchsitting and stretchreclining, get started by booking a consultation, online or in person, with one of our teachers.

You are also invited to sign up below to join any one of our upcoming FREE Online Workshops…
 

In the branch of Yoga called Pranayama (Prana = breath, life; Yama = discipline) there is a technique called Nadi Shodhan Pranayama. I learned this technique from my yoga mentors in Bombay and in an ashram in Rajnandagaon in Central India. It’s the best way I know to quiet my mind when I feel agitated. I have taught the technique to many students and patients over the years as a way to address obsessive thoughts, anxiety, and 'blah' feelings.

This Yogini is practicing Nadi Shodhan Pranayama, a style of meditative breathing

You place the tips of your middle and pointer finger of the right hand between your eyebrows and use your thumb and ring finger to open and close your nostrils. Now follow this pattern:

1.    Inhale through one nostril for four counts,

2.    Hold (with both ring finger and thumb closing the nostrils) for eight counts

3.    Exhale through the other nostril for eight counts.

Here you can see the hand position used for this breathing practice 

Now you try. Inhale left (4), hold (8), exhale right (8), inhale right (4), hold (8), exhale left (8). After a few rounds of this, the inhalations become quite dramatic (especially in a room full of people practicing during the cold season) and the exhales are harder to slow. I always remind my students that breathing is a priority (!) and that they should do whatever is necessary to get the breath they need. If you have a stuffy nose, for example, this might mean breathing through the mouth.

This is an alternate hand position used for Nadi Shodhan Pranayama

Since starting to work with primal posture, I have realized some new uses for Nadi Shodhan Pranayama. Most of us have shallow breath. With muscle tension in our backs and chests, typically brought on by poor posture, it is difficult for the lungs to fully expand. We end up breathing enough to not die - and that’s about it! Even after we learn to restructure ourselves and melt away unnecessary muscle tensions, this shallow breathing pattern often remains out of habit. Nadi Shodhan Pranayama helps change that. You breathe more deeply than usual doing this technique – and also after. It’s as though you have primed the pump.

Muscles all around the spine and rib cage are gently stretched and massaged through deep breathing, which can be therapeutic and relaxing for the entire system

You will discover that deep breathing alongside healthy structure induces the tissues around your torso to move constantly. You have now found your inner massage therapist and an important key to self-healing. Your back muscles get a gentle stretch, your discs rehydrate, and the circulation around your spinal tissues improves - simply by breathing more deeply. As you adopt this habit, you will breathe your way to a healthier life.

Join us in an upcoming Free Workshop (online or in person).  

Find a Foundations Course in your area to get the full training on the Gokhale Method!  

We also offer in person or online Initial Consultations with any of our qualified Gokhale Method teachers.