Percy Toms on thu 7 oct 99
In a message dated 10/6/99 11:59:12 AM, NJones@smtp.winston.com writes:
>Can anyone suggest an in-the-long-run, back-safe way to throw sitting?
Hi Nina.. I'm a professional thrower, so I can't afford to compromise my
health at the wheel. For years I never had a problem, sitting in the usual
low crouch, till one day the assignment called for throwing water urns, 11
pounds. Now, 99.9% of my work involves less than 8 pounds of clay, and as I
pressed forward to center this unaccustomed-large lump, (bag-stiff to boot) -
OUCH! #@***!!!
I was off work for days. When I returned, did I go back to that crouch? No
way!
I raised my wheels on 8"x8"x8" concrete blocks, and bought a simple wood
kitchen stool from KMart. It's as high as my mid-thigh. But that's not all.
After strapping some inches of thick foam atop the seat, one more adjustment
- I tilted the stool towards the wheel by a flat-on-the-floor 2"x6" wood slab
under the back pair of stool legs.
Bingo! I was literally back in business, and I loved the feel of the new
position.
That was three years ago. No back trouble since. Only wish I'd done this long
ago. Do try it, Nina!
Good luck,
Ned
>NJones@smtp.winston.com writes:
>to this question, but: Since the traditional way to sit and throw
>seems to be so gawd-awful for the back, does anyone know a way to make
>it more back-friendly?
>
>I have been sitting throwing for over a year now. If I feel my back
>or shoulders getting "tired" I get up and do stretching exercises or
>tend to some other task that needs to be done. I have heard from
>other sources besides Clayart that standing to throw is the best way
>to do it, and I am too much a baby in this area of the craft to
>authoritatively state otherwise. My question is sincere. Can anyone
>suggest an in-the-long-run, back-safe way to throw sitting? I'm going
>to try the standing-to-throw method, but my legs will literally go
>from under me when my ankles give, so standing for long periods to
>throw is not a reasonable option for me.
>
>Any suggestions?
>
>Thank you,
>Nina D. Jones
>Southside Chicago
>@ njones@winston.com
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