Clay is the new yoga

Ceramics is now the new yoga. It is not surprising, in fact, it is an activity that embodies very Zen aspects. To work the clay one must be in harmony with the laws of nature and the Cosmos. That is, it is necessary to respect the clay, work it in the right way, listen to it. Wait for its timing, wait for it to dry and, only when it is time, to proceed to the decoration phase. This also requires years of experience. If the thickness of the glaze is wrong, the piece may break. In addition to the technical aspects, when we talk about clay, many subtle levels intertwine, for example the quid of individual that passes from the hands of each one and that can make the clay dry, or it can make the piece thicker, too heavy, too light. It’s a question of balance. Even when sitting on a wheel it is important to be straight, serene, centered, to breathe, otherwise the piece of clay cannot be centered. Ceramics can be seen as a metaphor, which often happens also with Kintsugi. But the metaphor must not prevail. This is why there is the clay that brings everyone back down to earth and makes every idea, every project, come together. This confrontation with an objective reality is a great teaching. During the wheel throwing lessons, it is the wheel throwing to teach, to model it is necessary to tune one’s movements with his. On the other hand, it is more difficult to model and understand that the piece will have the characteristics of the person who molds it, not mine. Even if you come to class with me, you create your pieces, not mine. It takes years of experience to master the technique and learn to agree, listen to the clay. It is the ideal path for those who are not in a hurry, love challenges and surprises.

P.S. Sense of humor always helps