I always sit with one leg tucked or my legs crossed when I am working because I find it comfortable. I thought I was the only one till I did a quick online search for chairs that support sitting in “goofy” positions and that’s when I found that I wasn’t alone and there many innovative chairs that support people like us! The one that caught my eye amongst the top results was Soul Seat, firstly for its shape, and secondly, because it was literally the duplex of chairs! It is extremely common to sit cross-legged in Asian countries, the concept is old but bringing it to your workplace in the form of a chair so you can utilize your desk is what’s new.
The Soul Seat helps you sit in a neutral posture which is effortless and comfortable. The springs on the elevated perch tilt the pelvis forward, open the hips and help align the spine. You can sit in several positions if crossing legs isn’t comfortable for you, the chair enables you to switch between multiple positions frequently keeping your body engaged and blood flowing. For some, this may also alleviate neck and back pain! The height of both levels can be adjusted to suit your workspace setup. I know there were many comments from our Instagram audience about it missing a backrest and while I don’t think it causes harm if you sit without one (people meditate and work in this very posture for hours in Asian countries), I do think having an option of a detachable backrest can help those who are just starting to work on their posture ease into it. It is about having that choice which opens up many more people to use the Soul Seat, however, there are countless reviews that mention it being comfortable as it is so it is a great design but it does come down to personal preference.
“It swivels just as a conventional office chair does, but that is where the parallels stop. Everything else about the Soul Seat represents a paradigm shift in ergonomic thinking, bringing together self-care and sustainably-minded design,” says the team. Sitting cross-legged has many benefits like improving digestion, state of mind, aiding in weight loss, and more apart from better posture. Many yoga teachers recommend this position but also advise to keep switching every 30 mins. This is not a one chair fits all and while we this may be an ergonomic option for me, it is always better that you consult your health practitioners before investing in one for yourself. Level up – literally!
Designer: Ikaria Design Co.
