Clay Work as a Mindfulness-Based Practice

Abstract

This single subject study sought to explore the potential connection between Clay Work and components of mindfulness using the State Mindfulness Scale for Clay Work (SMS-CW). The study was done by an art therapy graduate student, who was the sole participant of the three week-long study. The researcher was not kept to a time limit when working with clay, and after every session completed the SMS-CW. It was hypothesized that the researcher’s self-reported scores on the SMS-CW taken after working with clay would show a connection between Clay Work and the components of mindfulness measured by this instrument. Key finding indicated the potential for Clay Work to promote similar benefits as mindfulness based practices.