Have been thinking about watching weavers use methods that will lead to injury – sitting too low, usually – and wondering how much of a duty I have to point this out to them.
At workshops I always see people weaving on small looms with ‘ordinary’ chairs which are too low. Sitting with hips lower than knees. Sitting with elbows lower than the breast beam. Knowing that if people continue to sit this way and weave for ‘lengthy’ periods of time that they will eventually develop lower back problems and/or shoulder/neck problems.
After a while I start to feel like a broken record. How many times can I keep repeating this essential information before people simply tune me out – until they start experiencing pain, at which point I hope they remember this information.
It was very gratifying to be asked to write an article for the Weaver’s Journal (of Great Britain) where I could, once again, try to educate people about the hazards of using a low chair instead of a seat of the correct height, etc. The issue should be coming out soon, and I really hope people will read it and take heed.
I’ve been asked to present The Efficient Weaver again at NEWS next year, and for a workshop in Texas this September. It felt great to be at John C. Campbell and help people with good posture, proper seating and ergonomic hand motions. Like one student said, she can’t see herself so it was very helpful for me to point out that she was raising her hands far too high and putting too much stress on shoulders that were already suffering. I hope she has made the new movement her default – with 5 days of weaving, that she will return to her loom and remember.
And I will continue to point out to students when I feel they are inching towards injury….