Susan Fox-Hirschmann on wed 4 may 05
In a message dated 5/4/2005 8:16:49 PM Eastern Standard Time,
ronroy@CA.INTER.NET writes:
I see many more repetitive type injurious - backs and wrists and hands
among potters and have often wondered why there are not more articles on
those subjects in our literature. It seems it has to happen to someone who
has enough conscience to actually write about it - so we can all learn.
We are talking here about ergonomics as well as preparing the body for a
certain type of physical exercise. Fifteen years ago, after a low back injury , I
started understanding the need to "warm my body up" before starting work.
Now, after a year or so of working with a personal trainer, and then deciding
to study iti all and get certifield myself to better understand the human
body, I
still, to this day, do an early morning workout to increase my
cardiovascular/strength/endurance and basically warm up before I approach clay.
It has become part of my life.....a precursor to my claywork. I suggest it
to any of you out there that feel that need, for work or other reasons, to
start a modest exercise program. It just appears to me, to be , good sense.
I think more needs to be said about training the body for clay work ....the
very reason I went back to school to study and understand anatomy as a direct
link to keeping myself in shape, as I get older, and preparing myself to
continue this craft that I love.
Years takes its toll on the human body, but repetitive motion injuries made
me realize how important it is to mix up my day: I NEVER spend an entire day
throwing, or trimming, or carving....I change positions often....I get up and
move around a lot. The body craves that movement and will let you know if you
stay in any one position too long. PAIN is the big signal! But to help
strengthen the body, I do believe in full body resistance training (yes, with free
weights or machines....even low weights to strengthen the muscles as well as
joints.)
The program I have developed for myself and others, other potters and artists
alike, is a preventative program.....exercises to do BEFORE injury might
occur. I feel we gotta try to do the best we can with what we got...and physical
preparation for our claywork, to me, is imperative!
Best of luck to those of you ready to get up and get movin'
Susan
Annandale, VA
(who also happens to be a certified personal trainer)
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