I have a secretary chair too. How I sit depends on what I'm sewing. I do like to have my arms and neck relaxed since I have bone spurs and arthritis in them. If I'm sewing long strips I can sit back and relax. If I'm sewing small pieces or have lots of seams to go over I have to sit closer and look more down. No matter what I'm doing, I have to get up and move around regularly.