Craig Clark on thu 11 apr 02
posture?
Ivor, I have been following this thread with great, and painful,
interest. At the ripe old age of 42 (to young for back pain if you ask me) I
am increasingly getting those red flags from my back in the form of
occassional shooting pains and sore lower back muscles.
What struck me about your post was the question concerning how well
standing will work for forms beyond those that are relatively small. I share
the same sentiment.
It does infact seem that any increasing, rather than decreasing,
attention to overall muscle toning and conditioning may be the long term
answer. Stretching is paramount.
I have a couple students who practice Tai Chi and they have made a
believer out of me when it comes to toning and stretching. One of my
students teachers, madame Wong (that's really her title) is 84 years old and
can still stand upright on one leg while slowly and gracefully lifting the
other leg almost straight up in the air. Increadible!
The point being emphasized is the one you so rightfully made about the
increasing importance of stretching and toning. This infact often goes
against the natural tendency to become more sedate as one ages.
THe bottom line for me is that whenever I follow the stretching,
walking, and minimal exercises of Tai Chi that I know the back stops
reminding me that I'm abusing it. When I don't, the pain comes back.
I'll also try the trick that has been suggested of shortening the front
legs on my stool.
Craig Dunn Clark
619 East 11 1/2 st
Houston, Texas 77008
(713)861-2083
mudman@hal-pc.org
----- Original Message -----
From: "iandol"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2002 1:23 AM
Subject: : Potters stools-- will any of them help that hunched over posture?
Dear Klyf Brown
There was a time when some industrial wheels were made with a sloping perch
so that the base of the spine was elevated but the throwers crutch was about
level with the wheelhead. This caused a posture which hollowed the small of
the back.
I'm uncertain that elevating the wheel and standing is the best solution. It
may be effective if people are throwing small or shallow pots but if they
are throwing anything tall then I can see shoulder strain becoming a new
problem.I like the idea of using a stool which has long legs at the back and
short ones at the front.
I agree with your about being proactive. Those who have problems with their
spinal comfort ought to stretches, either passive or ballistic or muscle
toning or weight training work prior to or after a bout at the wheel. I
think that as people get older this is not just advisable, it is essential.
Best regards,
Ivor
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Tommy Humphries on thu 11 apr 02
posture?
Not sure just what is meant by "tall", but I regularly throw over 18" with
no problems. The secret is good technique, not stressing one part of the
body over another, conservation of motion.
If the pot gets too tall to reach down into, build a small platform to stand
on, 4" will do wonders for your reach.
I have thrown standing up for as long as I have been pottin (21yrs.) with no
back problems. My Dad threw for 54 years, and as far as I knew never had
any problems with back pain associated with throwing. Of course many of
those years he would only work 10 hours a day at the pottery, then come home
and push a plow out in the garden, or work on the house or car till
dark...you know nothing too strenuous... :^)
Tommy
----- Original Message -----
From: "iandol"
I'm uncertain that elevating the wheel and standing is the best solution. It
may be effective if people are throwing small or shallow pots but if they
are throwing anything tall then I can see shoulder strain becoming a new
problem.I like the idea of using a stool which has long legs at the back and
short ones at the front.
Ivor
Klyf Brown on fri 12 apr 02
posture?
Ivor,
You have a very good point there. What we need is for one of our
bright potter/engineer/machinist (Des down under comes to mind) to
come up with a hydrolic base for wheels. Jack it up to standing height
for centering and opening, plates and small pieces, and lowering it for
throwing those tall forms. It could be done, should only add a couple
of hundred bucks to the price of the wheel.
Klyf Brown in New Mexico usa
> I'm uncertain that elevating the wheel and standing is the best
solution. It
> may be effective if people are throwing small or shallow pots but if
they
> are throwing anything tall then I can see shoulder strain becoming
a new
Russel Fouts on sat 13 apr 02
posture?
Klyf
> You have a very good point there. What we need is for one of our bright
potter/engineer/machinist (Des down under comes to mind) to come up with a
hydrolic base for wheels. Jack it up to standing height for centering and
opening, plates and small pieces, and lowering it for throwing those tall
forms. It could be done, should only add a couple of hundred bucks to the
price of the wheel. <
Try the pedestal from a barber's chair. I got the whole chair for about
$100, took the chair part off. This exposed a plate with bolt holes in
each corner. I nailed together a couple of wooden squares big enough to
support my Shimpo and bolted them on. Just put the wheel on the
platform. Works great!
Not only can you raise and lower the wheel, you can spin it around as
well!!
Russel
--
Russel Fouts
Mes Potes & Mes Pots
Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 223 02 75
Mobile: +32 476 55 38 75
Http://www.mypots.com
http://www.Japan-Net.ne.jp/~iwcat
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