Rising to a standing position from a sitting position is one of the most important activities of daily life. We present a total-body analysis of rising from a chair as performed by nine healthy individuals under controlled conditions. We describe four phases of this activity. Phase I is a flexion-momentum phase used to generate the initial momentum for rising. Phase II begins as the individual leaves the chair seat and ends at maximal ankle dorsiflexion. Forward momentum of the upper body is transferred to forward and upward momentum of the total body. Phase III is an extension phase during which the body rises to its full upright position. Phase IV is a stabilization phase. Kinetics and kinematics of the phases are analyzed. The phases are differentiated in terms of momentum and stability characteristics. Clinical implications of the mechanics of rising are discussed.