Time to let go and move on
Published: Thu, 12/12/13
Over the past few weeks I have introduced quite a bit of variety
into the Stav classes. We do stances and staff exercises every
week of course but apart from that we have been exploring a variety
of ways of training in Stav. On Monday I introduced using Ur as a
breakout from a grab from behind. Then we looked at how the same
action for developing power is applied to a punch or any other
strike. The results were very encouraging. We videoed part of the
lesson on Monday and I have uploaded some of the footage to the
members area. The idea has been to introduce the kind of training
I would like to share in an advanced Close Quarter Combat class. I
would also like to do an advanced weapons class where there can be
full training with the axe, spear, cudgel and other weapons as well
as the staff. There also needs to be an ongoing foundation class
too. So to teach properly I really need at least three classes a
week as well as day courses and even longer training programmes.
If the demand is there I will hold five day 'boot camps' as
well as long weekend seminars.
So that is the idea of the Stav centre and the planning permission
has come through. D2 permission for a Martial Arts School at 3 to
5 South Street has been granted. The owner is keen for me to take
on his premises and I am being supported and encouraged by many
different people.
So why don't I feel better about it? One aspect of Stav is
gaining self-knowledge. Since I have made some progress on this
level I can't claim that I don't know what my problem is
with getting what I said I wanted. Children are often very
persistent. Sometimes adults think this is a good thing. Learning
to walk for example can't be easy. But if a child tried
walking once, fell over and never tried again in their entire life
the situation would be considered most distressing. But if a child
is persistent in trying to get something that the parents consider
unsuitable for some reason then it is a very different story.
First there will be irritation, then annoyance and finally anger
and possibly a reaction that is unpleasant for all concerned. I
realise now that I was a persistent child and this sometimes
brought me into conflict with my parents, particularly my mother.
Sometimes, if I pushed hard enough, I would get my own way but the
situation would also involve my mother being in tears. So I got
the message that you can sometimes get what you want, but only by
paying the price of seriously upsetting the people who are supposed
to love you the most. The lesson being: 'Be persistent if you
must, but expect the price of success to be distress and
unhappiness in those around you.'
So why share this? Because a Stav centre has a been a dream for a
long time now. Could I run it successfully? Probably, but it has
taken determination and persistence to get this far and it will
take a lot more to make the project a success. So I suppose I am
still waiting for the anger and tears that must result eventually
from my continued efforts. There are massive real obstacles in the
way of realising such a project, not least creating the necessary
cash flow. However, it is much harder to overcome real problems
if there is an un-acknowledged fear getting in the way. At least I
know why I feel uncomfortable being persistent, so now I can move
on and deal with the 'real world' problems that are in the
way of creating the Stav centre. Is there is something you know
you want to accomplish but somehow you feel bad about wanting it?
If so, have a think about your childhood experiences and see what
comes up, you might be surprised.
It would be helpful to know what kind of training opportunities you
would like to see in Crewkerne. Reply to this message if you have
any thoughts or suggestions.
regards
Graham
PS although we won't have the Crewkerne centre ready before
February there is a course in Salisbury on the 18th of January. I
know that isn't until next year but in fact it is only about
five weeks away. You can book up at
http://iceandfire.org.uk/forthcoming.html