Can a Chair Be Good For You?

Herman Miller Claims the Embody is "Good For You". Can a chair really be good for you?

From psfk.com

Herman Miller’s heir apparent to the Aeron Chair, the Embody series, is a design that promises to promote clear-minded thinking by lowering the stress placed upon the body while sitting. With that in mind, they’ve created a microsite called Thought Pile that invites users to participate in an ideas forum by answering weekly questions that are meant to provoke conversation and innovation. The results are displayed visually in a mind map on the screen, the circles displaying individual concepts growing in real time as the audience votes. Interaction can be as simple as clicking agree or disagree based on an opinion to the responses or by writing comments that further the discussion within the community. At the end of the week, the person whose solution or thought has received the most positive reactions will be awarded an Embody Chair.

The company says, that it lets your body move and keeps you well supported, because your mind works best when you move freely and stress is minimized on your muscles, bones, and tissues. Blood circulates better, heart rate goes down, more oxygen flows to the brain, and there is no distracting discomfort or physical constraint. That's critical in our idea economy where innovation drives success and people get paid for their thoughts and creativity.

Healthful MovementNew tilt technology. Embody's rotation points are within the seat and back, and the base of the back remains fixed relative to the seat; this encourages the body to move naturally into the most positive seated postures.

Consistent support. Whether you lean forward or recline, your lower back support remains constant--no adjustments needed; users of all sizes can easily assume and maintain a reclined position.

Working recline posture. Embody encourages this most healthful posture for computer users; working recline reduces compression of the spine and slows fluid loss from discs; plus, your head stays in line with your computer display.

Narrow backrest. Your arms move unimpeded, adding comfort and encouraging additional air movement into the lungs to feed your brain.
Supporting You NaturallyMimics the spine. The back is "alive," adapting to the shape and movement of your spine; it automatically adjusts to your shifting positions and supports you through the full range of working postures.

Backfit adjustment. No matter what your spinal curvature, this adjustment lets you achieve a neutral, balanced posture and stay aligned with your computer display.
Gentle contact. Embody has no hard, rigid frames; edges flex so there is no pressure on your legs and arms.

Conforming to You Pixelated support. A matrix of pixels creates dynamic seat-and-back surfaces that automatically conform to your every movement and distribute your weight evenly.
Reduced stress. By fitting your form and reducing seated pressure, Embody increases blood circulation, which improves the flow of oxygen and decreases heart rate.

One chair size fits every body. Embody automatically adapts to the wide variation in people's size, shape, posture, and spinal curve; seat depth adjusts to different thigh lengths; armrest motions fit the broadest ranges.

Form = Function The look communicates performance. The chair's profile, which mimics the spine, is driven by its health-positive features.

Visual contrast and balance. When viewed from the back, the technology is exposed; when viewed from the front, you see organic shapes and curves.

Textiles add warmth. More like a skin than a covering; textiles are meant to enhance, not cover up; they have "loft" for a cushy feel; light and air pass through; colors pair with two frame colors and three base colors to simplify choice and appeal to universal tastes.

Helps the World Around YouStrict standards. The Embody chair adheres to the McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) Cradle to Cradle protocol and supports Herman Miller's commitment to the environment.

Certifications. Embody is MBDC Cradle to Cradle Silver certified and GREENGUARD certified; Embody can also provide credits for LEED certification.
Recylable. Embody is 95 percent recyclable, has 42 percent recycled content, and contains no PVCs.