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throwing and guided imagery

updated sun 17 feb 08

 

Deborah Thuman on wed 13 feb 08


I've been working on some guided imagery as a way to make the tension
and stress dissipate. I know from my days of being a sports writer that
athletes do guided imagery all the time. They see themselves... hitting
the ball, stopping the puck, clearing the bar, whatever.

So... I started doing some guided imagery involving throwing ginger
jars. I find myself pulling up the clay in my head, shaping the jar,
and then mucking up where the jar curves in and further mucking up the
lip. (Yes, I am aware that a psychologist could grow insanely wealthy
on my psyche.) We won't discuss the lids I mucked up. Then again, I
have now figured out a great many ways NOT to make these jars.

The question is: how many of you do guided imagery prior to throwing?
Those who do, what difference, if any, have you noticed in your
throwing.

BTW, thanks to Larry and his corn cob, I spent all last night trying to
get back to sleep by imagining using that corn cob as a paddle on the
ginger jars, and as a mold for what look to me to be clay appliques
(PMI had an article about this).

Deb
http://debthumansblog.blogspot.com/

David Hendley on thu 14 feb 08


Yes, I always like to plan my work day the day, or
evening, before. I'm at loose ends when I go into the
studio if I haven't done it.
I do picture the steps involved in making a piece, although
"guided imagery" is probably not the best name for it.
It's more tactile and neuro-muscular than visual. I've
been doing this so long I can instantly "feel" the clay
by simply thinking about it. Even smell enters into it,
as the remembered earthy smells of damp clay and
pungent throwing water fill my brain.
Remember, stinky clay water is your friend.

David Hendley
Maydelle, Texas
david(at)farmpots(dot)com
http://www.farmpots.com



----- Original Message -----
> The question is: how many of you do guided imagery prior to throwing?
>> Those who do, what difference, if any, have you noticed in your
>> throwing.

Taylor Hendrix on thu 14 feb 08


Deb,

I have no idea if it helps or hurts my throwing, but I have always
imagined myself doing various things including throwing. I don't
always go into great detail with my guided imagery throwing because
let's face it I haven't been at it long enough to have thrown every
type of piece I would like to throw.

It does what it is supposed to do, i guess: motivates me to throw
several pieces.

I see no benefit, and perhaps there is some detriment, to imagining
failing at a task over and over again.

Taylor, in Rockport TX

On 2/13/08, Deborah Thuman wrote:
...> The question is: how many of you do guided imagery prior to throwing?
> Those who do, what difference, if any, have you noticed in your
> throwing.
...

Eva Gallagher on fri 15 feb 08


I remember reading about memory "training" in one of the popular magazines
(maybe Time magazine?). I may have gotten it wrong as memory is not always
accurate but I think the experiment was done with pianists. Some were asked
to practice a piece and the others were asked to practice in their head. The
ones that only did the work in their heads did as well or better than those
that practiced. Maybe that will work in improving throwing skills, form etc.

Eva Gallagher

----- Original Message -----
From: "Carole Fox"
To:
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 9:22 AM
Subject: Re: Throwing and guided imagery


> Deb-
> Not quite doing guided imagery before I start work.... but when I have
> trouble falling asleep at night, I often design new forms in my head and
> imagine myself going through the steps of making them. So relaxing. All
> the
> fun of creating...and no messy clean-up!
> Carole Fox
> Silver Fox Pottery
> Elkton, MD
> silverfoxpottery@comcast.net
>
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Carole Fox on fri 15 feb 08


Deb-
Not quite doing guided imagery before I start work.... but when I have
trouble falling asleep at night, I often design new forms in my head and
imagine myself going through the steps of making them. So relaxing. All the
fun of creating...and no messy clean-up!
Carole Fox
Silver Fox Pottery
Elkton, MD
silverfoxpottery@comcast.net