Clay is formed over a millennia through weathering and sedimental land shifts and like the landscape itself is very much alive, containing mineral elements including magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium and the serotonin-boosting Mycobacterium vaccae which has proven clinically effective in treating a range of conditions including anxiety, depression, and brain-fog.

Recent advances in neuroscience have opened up exciting possibilities linking haptic material engagement to the forming of new synapses in the brain. Our hands are connected through our spinal cord to our libido to the central nervous system, and consequently to the survival instinct that will always aim to rebalance, heal and live.

The clay/hand/ brain connection engages our cognitive functions and was fundamental in human evolutionary development. As we navigate this current digital age we increasingly lose this essential connection. This contributes to an increasing rise of anxiety disorders and anti-depressant prescribing currently at an all-time high.

This primal hand-brain-body connection is vital for the formation of new neural pathways, serotonin production, and rebalancing the nervous system. Regular sessions unfreeze latent creativity particularly in ration to language, spacial awareness and empathy.  Self-perception comes into focus and so too are emotions such as grief  often characterised as being ‘held’ in the body, many clients report a feeling of transference from their own body to the clay.

Working with clay reaps many benefits however without experienced guidance we tend to allow our rational mind to take the lead. In the First Hand Studio, pressure to make finished objects is removed, this allows more freedom to explore to the process of making.

This Work-in-Progress approach to clay work has been proven to have more meaningful outcomes than more traditional hierarchical teacher/pupil or therapist/client relationship.