The Art of Centering Clay

Let’s talk about centering—that one technique in wheel throwing that every beginner struggles with (and honestly, even us more experienced potters have to revisit again and again).

When I first started pottery, I thought centering would be easy—just plop the clay down and push it into place, right? It turns out, centering is a full-body workout and a meditative practice rolled into one. But once you get the hang of it, something really clicks.

So… What Is Centering, Anyway?

Centering is the process of aligning your clay right in the middle of the wheel so it spins evenly without wobbling. It’s like setting the foundation before building a house—if your clay isn’t centered, everything that comes after (pulling walls, shaping, trimming) becomes way harder than it needs to be.

It’s not about brute strength—it’s about stability, patience, and flow.

Why Centering Feels So Dang Hard at First

It’s totally normal to feel like you’re fighting the clay at the beginning. You’re probably using new muscles, your hand positions might feel awkward, and your brain is trying to figure out what “even pressure” means.

Here’s what I wish someone had told me early on:

1. Slow down. The wheel doesn’t need to be spinning at max speed.

2. Brace yourself. Your elbows should be locked to your body or on your thighs.

3. Wet clay helps, but not too wet. Think of it as not accumulating too much water into your bucket. You don’t water your bucket to overflow with water.

4. Lean into the clay, don’t chase it. Use your body weight more than your arms. Use your non-dominant hand to anchor in your elbow to your side.

Tips That Helped Me Nail Centering

1. Cone Up, Cone Down
This technique changed everything for me. You push the clay up into a cone shape, then press it back down into a dome. Doing this a few times helps the clay get truly centered and conditioned.

2. Let Your Hands Work Together
Your hands are a team. One stabilizes (usually your left if you’re right-handed), the other guides and shapes. They should feel connected, like dance partners.

3. Feel It Before You See It
Sometimes your eyes will trick you into thinking it’s centered. But if it feels wobbly, it is wobbly. Trust your hands.

4. Breathe!
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve held my breath while centering. Don’t do that. Take deep breaths—it helps your body stay calm and your pressure stay even.

Centering has a way of teaching you more than just how to throw clay. It teaches you patience, body awareness, and how to find focus. On days when my mind is racing, I often find that the act of centering helps me feel more centered too.

If you’re struggling with centering right now, please don’t give up. Every potter goes through the awkward phase. Some of us stay there for a while, and that’s totally okay. Every practice session is one step closer to getting that magical moment where the clay stops wobbling—and everything feels just right. At Happy Hands Pottery & Art Studio we teach all the beginner basics including centering, coning, pulling up the walls, as well as shaping! Come on by for a fun wheel workshop!