Yoga of woodworking

In these days, while I keep up with the tough and time consuming meditation of leveling logs, a few thoughts sink in deeper and shape up in some sort of a personal set of guidelines that makes the basis of my own Yoga-of-woodworking. This is not meant to be teaching anything specific but maybe it could be useful to someone... who knows. Definitely it is automatic routine that keeps me going on effectively and in full safety (thanks heavens) since long time and so it's been very useful to me. Some thoughts and actions are very obvious... but it's always a good reminder.

It's beyond Yoga since it's very physical and could be tiring or dangerous. It's an active meditation of awareness, almost like a martial art or a dance. I am going to show also some of my top favorite tools and what I am using now.
So however you want to start your day (I do at least a few "salutations to the sun" and whatever other needed stretch before chanting this japanese mantra) you better focus always on your most important tool: yourself.

Treasure your body
Wearing safety devices must become automatic: proper gloves, eye glasses and earplugs are essential and allow to work better for longer time without getting tired or bumping into trouble. Those earplugs are my favorite. Super easy to keep clean in their container and very handy with the neck string.
Stretch often while working
Tedious repetitive tasks must be neutralized with proper regular shaking.
Swap sides left/right
As much as possible learn to swap hands, at least in all the most simple repetitive movements and carrying loads.
Always move wisely
No rush, keep the balance, measure and think twice before cutting. Even three times if you are not sure. Otherwise...
Always learn from your mistakes
Every job can teach you something as your experience expands.
Treasure all your tools
Every little tools takes part in helping you to get the job done. Put back your marking utensil (pen - pencil - whatever) always in the same pocket: it's going to save you a lot of time. Beware of tiny things like that cap of your glue bottle. If you loose that, your glue dries out.



Keep tidy your workspace
Clean up often and give a place for each tool even if you are just working on your own (like myself) and otherwise make sure all your coworkers keep the same positions.



Treasure all your sharp hand tools
Chisels always come with a blade protection. I still have all of them after many years. My Thai chisels have at least 7 or 8 years. My italian hammer (theater macchinista style) has over 20 years. Please notice the temporary working container for the chisels and those worn out handles on those tools.



My thai machete and my japanese pull-saw. Both have many years now and still work fine. The handle of the saw can be set in two different angles according to the position of your cut. Super amazing tool.

I always fold back the blade of the saw and put the machete back in its holder. Sharp tools are dangerous but if you take good care of them they will last very long.

Beware of your measuring tools
Precise measures are essential to get the job done nicely. Square corners, meters, levels. Never even throw them as well as no other tools for any reason. It's already too much if it happens by accident but if everything is in its safe place and you move wisely, no accident is going to happen.





Treasure your power tools
Always place power tools somewhere where they cannot fall over: the safest? It's on the ground. Otherwise make sure they are always in a safe spot.

Study your lumber
Wood is alive. Learn to work with the wood grain. Beware of knots in the wood.
Nothing is wasted
Untreated wood sawdust can become a good amendment for your garden compost but bigger pieces can be reshaped and reused another time. Otherwise they are going to become biochar and get mixed into the compost too.



On top: sawdust from the circular saw bench. Below: sawdust from a planer cutting young fir (on the left) or many decades old chestnut (on the right).

Staying present making every movement 

and each single piece while
overlooking at the whole project and 

fitting everything together.

It's always the same two sided meditation... just focus!