How Body Mechanics Can Improve Wheel Throwing Technique
- Throw Clay LA
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
If you're looking to improve your wheel throwing technique, it may be time to think beyond your hands. When throwing, we focus on centering, opening, pulling, trimming, and shaping the clay. But great throwing isn't just about what your hands are doing. It's about how your entire body works together.
Many potters don't realize how much their studio setup and movement patterns influence the way they work with clay. The height of a wedging table, the position of your stool, where you place your feet, and even how often you pause can all affect how efficiently and comfortably you throw. Often, small adjustments, not major changes, can make a surprising difference.
On Monday, August 17, 2026 Throw Clay LA welcomes ceramicist, licensed massage therapist, and personal trainer HanaKyle Moranz for Exploring Body Mechanics at the Wheel, a three-hour workshop designed to help potters better understand how movement, posture, leverage, and body position influence their work.
Drawing on 20 years of experience as a licensed massage therapist and personal trainer, along with her experience as a ceramicist, HanaKyle combines practical anatomy with hands-on instruction designed specifically for potters.
Experiment to Improve Wheel Throwing Technique
One of the most refreshing aspects of this workshop is its approach. Rather than teaching a single "correct" way to throw, HanaKyle encourages exploration.
Throughout the workshop, you'll experiment with different approaches to centering, opening, pulling, and wedging while receiving demonstrations, guided practice, and individual feedback. The goal isn't to change everything about the way you throw. It's to discover techniques and movement patterns that feel more natural for your body and your throwing style.
Small changes often have the greatest impact because they're easy to continue using long after the workshop ends.
Body Mechanics Extend Beyond the Wheel
The workshop isn't limited to throwing.
Wedging, lifting clay, arranging your workspace, and adjusting your equipment all influence how you move throughout a studio session. You'll explore stretches and mobility exercises designed for potters, discuss how leverage and body position affect common studio tasks, and discover practical adjustments that are easy to incorporate into your own practice.
These ideas aren't about working harder. They're about working more efficiently while developing habits that support a long and enjoyable pottery practice.
Who Should Attend?
This workshop is designed for potters who are comfortable throwing independently on the wheel. Whether you've been throwing for two months or twenty years, you'll leave with practical ideas to continue exploring in your own studio.
Workshop Details
Exploring Body Mechanics at the Wheel
Monday, August 17, 5:30-8:30 PM
$95
Ready to discover how small adjustments can make a big difference? We'd love to have you join us. $10 off for Throw Clay LA Members
About the Instructor
HanaKyle Moranz is a ceramicist, licensed massage therapist, and personal trainer. Learn more about her work at hanakyle.com.
ABOUT THROW CLAY LA
Whether you’re curious to try the wheel for the first time or ready to dive deeper,
Throw Clay LA offers one-time pottery classes, 6-week Build Skills introductory courses, 6-week Refine & Explore courses, both designed as weekly studio communities where students develop skills side by side.
Studio memberships extend that experience, offering more time in the studio and deeper connection within the creative community. As a member, explore our full range of cone 5/6 clay bodies, enjoy practice time in the studio, and connect with our creative community through free member clinics throughout the year.
