For my birthday this year, a dear friend gifted me a truly unique experience: a pottery session at Thinking Hand – School of Pottery in Piliyandala. Little did I know what a calming and creatively fulfilling day awaited me. The session was conducted by Studio Potter Yashodha, who proved to be an exceptional instructor.
The atmosphere at Thinking Hand was serene and peaceful. Along with two other friends, I felt instantly relaxed in the quiet studio. Yashodha’s approach to teaching was clear, friendly, and encouraging, making even a complete novice like myself feel capable.
Our pottery journey began with a fun and accessible activity:
- Decorating a Mug: This was a gentle introduction to working with clay. It allowed us to get a feel for the material and express our individual styles through simple designs.
Next, we moved on to the potter’s wheel, the sakaporuwa. This was the part I was most excited, and perhaps a little nervous, about. Yashodha explained the process patiently. The real challenge lay not just in shaping the clay, but in achieving a state of mental and physical relaxation. - Taking on the Wheel: We were given the freedom to create whatever we desired. While my friends had different ideas, I decided to try my hand at making a vase.
The initial attempts were wobbly and uneven, a testament to my restless mind. However, with Yashodha’s guidance and a conscious effort to simply feel the clay as it spun, something shifted. It was a moment of unexpected connection – the clay responding to the slightest touch, taking shape with a gentle coaxing.
By the end of the session, we each had a mug we had personalized and an object created on the wheel. For me, it was the slightly imperfect but entirely satisfying vase. This birthday gift turned out to be more than just a creative outlet. It was:
- A refreshing break from the everyday hustle.
- A chance to experience the calming power of working with my hands.
- A truly great session that left my mind feeling clear and peaceful.
I am so grateful for this thoughtful gift and the wonderful introduction to the art of pottery at Thinking Hand. It’s an experience I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone seeking a unique and mindful way to spend a day.