Ceramics and Body Mechanics
Tips for the Ceramic Artist
- The best posture is a dynamic one with your core and shoulder muscles engaged. When in doubt, move!
- Avoid staying in one position for more than 20 to 30 minutes.
- Do mini exercises to adjust muscles that are being put into compromising or stressful positions.
- Listen to your body. If aches or pains arise, address the problem.
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Adjust the height of the table, stool, and wheel to maximize your core strength
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The height of the wedging table needs to be lower than your working surface. You want to be able to use the weight of your body to move the clay forward.
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The height of the stool and the wheel should enable you to anchor your left elbow onto your iliac crest (arch of the hip bone). It is recommended that your knee and hip are at the same height.
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Proper Technique: Wheelthrowing
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-Engage your core muscle
-Tilt your pelvis to bend forward plus anchoring your left elbow on your iliac crest -Keep the lower shoulder muscle engaged -Push forward using your whole body |
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Proper Technique: Wedging
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-Core engagement
-The whole shoulder structure are engaged and not rounded forward using only the biceps -Legs are part enabling the body to push and rock forward -Arms and wrist are parallel to the ball of clay engaging the triceps, shoulder blade muscles |
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Good Exercising after Wedging
Relaxing the wrists and stretching the wrist muscles
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Progress the wrist stretch by placing the wrist on the table
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Tuck chin and lengthen through the spine
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