I show this image to clients who sit a lot. It shows how weight is delivered down through the hip joints when standing and squatting and down onto the rockers when sitting. Look at the hip joints. See where the weight delivery changes directions when sitting? The spine isn’t in one position when standing and another position when sitting. The only change that needs to occur is at the hip joints. We often slouch or round our spines when sitting and arch our backs when standing, this doesn’t need to be the case. We can be in a neutral spinal position more often when sitting and/or standing.

Think of the rockers (sit bones) like little feet. When you balance over them while sitting, the pelvis and spine are more likely to be in a mobile and balanced position. This keeps the surrounding muscles, ligaments and tendons from getting stiff and tired. Remember, there’s no substitute for standing up and moving around throughout the day and there’s no right way to sit. If you absolutely must sit for periods throughout the day, I suggest finding multiple ways to sit, moving around and through neutral more often.

Study this image. Follow the arrows. Remind yourself often. This picture says more than I can say with words. Next we’ll build on this, by discussing hip hinging.