Does this make any sense?
Published: Tue, 04/21/26
The issue I am struggling with is what to write in the text for a leaflet, web page, and social media linked posts. How, in a couple of hundred words (yes, I need to be succinct, although the section below actually runs to over 500 words) do I explain how a Stav martial arts class works in a way that makes sense to an outsider? How does this strike you?
“Stav provides a martial training system which is suitable the slightly older, and more discerning, student of the martial arts. The emphasis is on awareness, of the environment as well as self. We seek to develop the ability to use all our physical and mental powers to full effect without stress or strain. For self-defence we work on being able to select the most appropriate response to any situation, and to manage our energetic state so that we always reduce rather than raise tension, and thus the likely hood of violence.
Stav training is based on three aspects which combine to provide a highly sophisticated martial training system:
1. The Stances
The first stage of training is to develop body awareness through posture, breath, and meditation exercises which we call the sixteen stances. Each stance develops good posture, promotes deep and natural breathing, stretches and tones tendons and muscles, and relaxes and focusses the mind. Students are encouraged to learn and practice the stances on a regular basis. The stances also give us the basis for handling weapons and methods of close quarter combat, with or without weapons.
2. The Web
Through Stav training we cultivate an awareness of connections in time and space which we refer to as ‘the web’. The body has a structure within it which conforms to the lines of the web. Working with these lines gives us strength and purpose in our movement and actions. We can also exploit the ‘web’ in an opponent to disrupt their balance and control their freedom of movement. By understanding basic body mechanics we can protect ourselves while exploiting weaknesses in others, and in doing so regulate how much harm we do even in a violent encounter.
‘Seeing’ the lines of the web also shows us how to strike and cut with weapons and how to read distance and angles for defence. At a high level the web shows us how to recognise the ‘chaos points’ which are those moments where and when the lines meet and there is the greatest opportunity to exploit weakness.
3. Action, Intention, and Movement (AIM)
To be really effective in our martial arts we have to learn how to combine action and movement in order to fulfil clear intentions. In our training we look to combine action and movement in our training drills to fulfil intentions as described in the Five Principles of Stav.
Each principle deals with a different level of status and responsibility in any given situation. For example, a certain combination of action and movement will enable you to remove yourself from a situation which is not your problem or responsibility to deal with. Another combination will enable you to keep an intruder out of a defensible space. A third combination sets you up to control and restrain a person. If it is not practical to execute one principle then you can select the option which is workable in the circumstances
These three aspects may sound complex and arcane. However, practical, simple, and sophisticated drills have been developed which teach and explore these concepts. These drills are taught and practised in Stav training and students are encouraged to practice the stances and basic striking exercises in their own time.
There is a system to be learned. However, rather than just learning techniques by rote, in Stav training the emphasis is on learning from your training and practice and discovering your own insights and developing what really works for you.”
If you have already been involved in Stav training to any significant degree then you will hopefully be familiar with the ideas I am sharing here. So, I would be interested to know if what I have written reflects any of your direct experience.
On the other hand, if you are kind enough to have read the above and have little, or no, direct experience of Stav, does my description above make any sense?
Either way, I need to update and expand the reach of my publicity so any feedback would be much appreciated.
regards
Graham
PS If actual training in Stav does appeal to you then of course your best opportunity is the weekly classes, or if that is not practical then please see about coming to the camp in September.
Links here https://iceandfire.org.uk/
Graham Butcher
21 Beaver Road
Beverley East Yorkshire HU17 0QN
UNITED KINGDOM
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