Sitting Anatomy

This is a view from behind. The red indicates your sit bones. Feel them. This is where we want to be sitting. Right on top of this part of the pelvis.

This is a view of the all the bones that make up your pelvis! This view is from the front. Notice the sit bones. Notice the spine sits more in the center of your body (it's not just your "back") It grows from the pelvis.

To the right, we are sitting on the BACK of the sit bones. The spine, abdomen, diaphragm, and lungs are compressed. To the left we are sitting top of our sit bones. The opening of the base of the pelvis is not tilted under, but more parallel to the chair. Here the spine, abdomen, lungs and diaphragm are spacious and aligned. Notice the spine ends well up in line with our ears!

If you sit and your knees are up like in the left photo, you are most likely compressed and rounded in your spine. The diaphragm is compressed and the chest is closed. Use props under your pelvis to get your hips above your knees.

Use props (cushions or bolsters) under your pelvis to lift your hips. This enables you to sit ontop of your sit bones with an elongated spine. The tighter you are in your hips or legs, the more cushions or blankets you'll need.