Seeking calm and self-expression through art therapy

Besides being an avenue to express ourselves non-verbally, the process of creating art provides us with a sense of control

- Tanisha Saxena

Have you ever pulled clay, squeezed it into a cup or pinched it into a pot? If you haven't, then you are missing the most beautiful thing to experience," says Sanjay Talwar, 51, a teacher of ceramics at Kalasthali art and craft, a fine art school in Delhi's Vasant Kunj. A pottery teacher for almost a decade, Talwar believes in the healing potency of pottery. "Stress is part of our life. I see kids as young as seven and eight feeling anxious and stressed. While we talk about physical pain quite openly, we don't do the same when it comes to mental health," says Talwars, who believes that pottery involves the five tatwas (elements): earth, fire, water, air, and sky, and when individuals practice pottery, they are finding balance in life.

When Aparna Choudhrie was introduced to pottery, she was a corporate employee. Little did she know that one day, she would be opening her own pottery space and become an art therapist. "I started The Clay Company in 2012. I had worked for more than 15 years with multinational companies including GenPact and Infosys. The hectic schedule made me anxious and stressed. I found pottery immensely therapeutic and meditative," says Choudhrie. She believes that when you create something with your own hands, it feels rewarding and peaceful. "Clay is a natural component of the universe and engaging in making art with clay rejuvenates you," she adds.