[Cob] Looking for answers

[Shawn King]

Hi Jeff, my partner Melissa and I have had a very gentle experience with
cob.  Melissa has had a variety of back issues her entire life, including
periods of being unable to stand up from being immobilized by pain.
Nothing about cob requires it to be heavy/hard.  She takes each aspect of
cob, from dancing/mixing to wall-building at her own pace. She has named
our teaching an consulting business "Building by the Handful" (no website
yet) to express how cob can be easily adapted simply by using smaller (and
thus less heavy) handfuls and lighter steps in the dancing. She finds this
approach actually decreases her symptoms and generally increases her sense
of well being, strength, and flexibility.  Clever use of scaffolds and
embracing a slow pace of building will also make the work much easier and
enjoyable.  We do not cob in a hurry, as we enjoy the process so much, and
we both have many other commitments to honor.  All that said, foundations
and roofs may require some heavier work, depending on the materials you
use.  Invite friends for a house-raising party on the days you need help
with those aspects.   For workshops in the NC area, look up Earthhaven
ecovillage, they have workshops.  Please also contact Cob Cottage Company (
www.cobcottage.com, best to call them during office hours).  CCC has been
home central for cob and natural building and have contact information for
teachers and builders all over the world.  They are happy to refer you.
Good luck, and I heartily recommend cobbing as a way to create your own
structure, working within your own physical capacities and your own joy.

Best, Shawn King


Coblist mailing list
> Coblist at deatech.com
> http://www.deatech.com/mailman/listinfo/coblist
>