« Someday maybe... | Main | Getting Clear with Agendas »
June 02, 2006
Centering and Mind Like Water
I recently joined an intermediate pottery class at Firehouse Pottery with Frank Massarella here in Ojai, California. I must say it is SO refreshing and wonderful to be committed in an ongoing way to something that is purely relaxing for me. I was partly inspired by the weekly "creative nights" that my brother and his wife schedule weekly, and suddenly I find myself setting aside time for something totally wonderful.
I got into ceramics in my senior year of high school and later did my senior project teaching hand building techniques at an orphanage in Mexicali, Mexico. Ever since then I've been seeking ways to stay in touch with the clay, it's one of those things that just opens my heart in such a big way. In college I particpated in a pottery cooperative, and took handbuilding classes that taught me to form pots as native Americans do. So here I am just getting back into one of my favorite hobbies.
My new class is going well so far, and teaching me a lot beyond just the physical techniques of throwing pottery. I've always been interested in how the centering process requires a significant amount of calm, focus, and attention. I highly recommend this book, Centering, In Pottery, Poetry and the Person by Mary Caroline Richards. Centering clay is a powerful metaphor for being centered in yourself.
I had a fun experience with centering last week in my class. I have always held my breath during the centering process as a way of staying totally focused on the motions of my hands and arms. It's been a conscious choice for me to do so, but when my new teacher strolled by me last week she said, "Breathe, Lisa, breathe!!" And I did. I gave it a try and found that I am perfectly capable of keeping a steady rhythmic breathing going while I center even large pieces of clay. It was so relaxing! I'm sure that taking yoga has something to do with how peaceful it feels to be aware of my moving breath right in the midst of attemping to create a perfect stillness in the clay. It's always fun to discover a deeper level of relaxation.
Then as I was leaving the studio, I overheard a beginner in the class say, "It's so weird, I can't even think about all the things I have to do while I'm in this class. It's great!"She had her first taste of mind like water!
I'm so thankful for GTD and all of the techniques and tools I've picked up over the years that allow me to get totally emerged in creating and playing, letting time disappear altogether.
Posted by Lisa at June 2, 2006 01:54 PM
Comments
Really enjoyed reading this, Lisa, and am struck by how many of my piano students also have a tendency to hold their breath when playing the piano. In my experience, it's actually counter-productive, as the tension in the ribcage quickly transmits to shoulders, arms and hands, but it's funny how so many of us do it, nevertheless! I would love to know why...
Posted by: Valerie at June 19, 2006 03:32 PM
Valerie- What a fantastic connection between your music students and my experience with ceramics. I imagine that there are many processes like centering where people tend to hold their breath, tighten up, or hold on in some counter-productive way. I'll bet your piano students tighten up during difficult passages, just as folks often do while processing a difficult item from their inbox. Thanks for your reflections!
Posted by: Lisa Peake at June 20, 2006 09:23 AM
Also- yet another skill- horseback riding requires this same center, relaxation, and steady breathing. The horse actually notices when you hold your breath-because your ribcage and upper body tense up as described. Fascinating that so many skills demand this type of relaxed focus.
Posted by: Gwen at July 10, 2006 07:43 PM
