The Journal of Australian Ceramics Vol 50 no 1 April 2011

Focus: Ceram ics + Body
Photo: Rachel Roberts
Dancing with Clay
Ingrid Weisfelt considers the benefits of the Feldenkrais method for ceramic artists
The Feldenkrais method is a movement practice that sits extraordinarily comfortably with artists from
all modalities. It is the antithesis of a gym workout, although strength, coordination and flexibility all
improve over time. Feldenkrais is an awareness teaching, based on movement.
It was an incredibly painful and potentially career-ending herniated disc that led me to the Feldenkrais
method. After nine years as a dancer, I was unable to dance and could find no relief from any other
form of treatment. After my first Feldenkrais lesson there was such a significant diminishing of pain
that I decided to train as a practitioner, healing my injury while improving my skills as a dancer and a
performer. Ten years on, pain free and still dancing and performing, I integrate my Feldenkrais practice
with my arts practice, working with actors, singers, dancers, and artists. As in dancing, the creation
of ceramic art is a highly physical act. The kinetic energy and physical effort of the ceramic artist is
transferred into the clay. As artists who use their bodies to create their work, ceramicists are at risk of
pain and injury from their repetitive practice. It is the ability of the Feldenkrais method to provide a
framework that links manual labour with artistic practice that makes it so beneficial for artists.
The Feldenkrais method achieves this through gentle and explorative-based movement lessons.
They are run in two formats. Group lessons called Awareness Through Movement (ATM) lessons and
THE JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIAN CERAMICS APRIL 2011 43