About us

The inspiration for our products comes from about a year’s worth of time Mike has accumulated over the past 25 years in intensive monastic retreats where he’s meditated for over 14 hours a day for up to six weeks at a time. The first concept was for a meditation bench with a unique folding geometry so that it could be folded completely flat and carried discreetly in a monastic setting. After creating a 3D model of the bench and simple prototypes, he found help from Wolf, who became his business partner.

While not a meditator himself, Wolf was intrigued by the challenge of creating a manufacturing process that could bring the puzzle-like bench to life. Wolf set to work in his fabrication shop, experimenting with prototypes to prove that the innovative design could be manufactured accurately and efficiently enough to become a viable product. Over the next seven years, in addition to their other jobs, Wolf and Mike tested more than 40 prototypes, trying different materials and refining the manufacturing approach.

Now, after hundreds of hours of use in homes, hotel rooms, balconies, beaches, boats, yoga studios, tree houses, and retreat centers, the Upon bench is ready for you. Our vision is that with your support, our product line will continue to grow and the items you purchase will last a lifetime.