Here are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about the Dharma Desk.
Q: How do I decide what size desk I need?
A: Well, this depends on a few things. The first question is whether you only want to use the desk only in bed or on the couch and not on the floor. If this is the case, then you probably want to choose the small desk. It has more than enough space for a laptop or a large book, but will not provide enough leg room to sit on the floor. It is perfect for people who want a smaller unit.
The choice between the medium and large desks comes down to a couple of main points: size of working area and height/length for legs. Those wanting a large working space, may need extra height to sit comfortably on the floor, or are very tall with long legs – you will find the large desk is your best choice. The medium desk, however, does fit most people, even those over 6 feet tall – so the majority will find that this desk will suit all their needs. Both the large and medium desks can be used in bed or on the couch as well.
Several measurements of the desks are provided on the product pages. These include the table top length and width, the length of the legs (including the range of adjustable heights) and the mid-point width of the legs when assembled (where knees would approximately rest). You can sit on the floor with any props you anticipate using and measure the distance between your knees as well as their height in relation to the floor. Comparing these measurements with the listed ones on the product pages will help you determine if you require a medium or large sized desk.
You can always give us a call as well, and we will be happy to help you choose the best fit for your body.
Q: What if I have a hard time sitting on the floor for extended periods of time?
A: One of the purposes of the Dharma Desk is to encourage tight hips and lower backs to release and open. This will be made easier if you sit on a prop of some kind to allow the knees to release down towards the floor. Suitable props include zafus, foam blocks, blankets and cushions. (Please watch the Ergonomics video to learn more about how to position your props). Spending short periods of time on the floor and taking sufficient breaks to stand up and stretch will allow you to build the amount of time you can spend sitting on the floor fairly quickly. And of course, you can also use your desk on a couch if you just need a break from the floor and want to sit in a more supported way.
Q: Why is the desk made of plywood instead of solid wood?
A: Although we experimented with making the desk out of solid wood, the adjustability of the desk means that any warping or movement of the wood would make the desk unusable. Solid wood changes its shape over time due to factors like heat, humidity, dryness, storage conditions, etc – which can be fine if the piece of furniture is permanently fixed together. For this reason we had to look for another medium for the desks. Birch plywood has excellent strength, hardness as well as damage and wear resistance – meaning that it is extremely stable and will not warp over time. This ensures the integrity of your Dharma Desk for many, many years.
In addition, Baltic birch plywood has been chosen for the desk – this is an extremely high quality, furniture/finishing grade product, which shows off the grain of the wood beautifully. Every layer in this product is solid birch – meaning that you get the durability of a hardwood and the stability of a plywood. Plywood is being used more and more by furniture designers and has become a very modern and fashionable building material.
Q: Why are there some circles in the wood?
A: These are called wooden plugs or ‘boats’. These are inserted to replace any small knots found in the wood while at the same time ensuring an evenness of the product between the plywood layers.
Q: What does the term FSC mean?
A: The term FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council. Wood is a renewable and recyclable product and when wood products carry the FSC logo, you know it is a responsible product as well. When a wood product has an FSC logo, that is your guarantee that it comes from healthy forests and strong communities. FSC is an international certification system for forests and forest products supported by WWF Canada, Greenpeace, and the David Suzuki Foundation. For more information about the FSC stamp of integrity, visit the FSC Canada website.
