A quote from Geoff

Published: Mon, 10/27/14

Hi
The quote for this week outside the Stav Centre is taken from Geoff
Thompson. I attended Geoff's master class series of seminars a
couple of years back and learned a lot about martial arts and about
myself, I am still struggling to put the lessons into effect in my
own life.

Anyway, here is the quote and my comments below.

"There is no growth in comfort." Geoff Thompson,
self-protection expert and author of 'Mind My Back'

Nothing grows in comfort or with ease. Crustaceans such as
lobsters and crabs have to shed their protective shells and let a
new casing form as they grow out of the smaller shell. A snake has
to shed its skin as it increases in size.

Human beings cannot grow in strength, knowledge or success without
being prepared to be uncomfortable. It may be the discomfort of
physical exertion in order to become stronger, fitter and more
flexible. The feeling of hunger in order to lose weight. It may be
the discomfort of acknowledging ignorance in order to be receptive
to new knowledge. It may simply involve the risk of developing a
new relationship, of getting to know and working with people you
did not previously associate with.

When training in Stav there will be discomfort. The body is
re-educated to develop correct posture, deep and natural breathing
and a greater range of motion and movement. The mind is opened to
new possibilities and you learn to see the world in a whole new
way. Sadly this is far too much discomfort for most people and
they prefer to stay in their comfortable shell rather than grow.

regards

Graham

PS I will be holding a series of seminars on practical street
defence using Stav principles and stuff I learned from Geoff and
others. There will be a two hour seminar, 1000hrs to noon in
Crewkerne this Saturday (2nd of November) and three hours in
Salisbury 1000 to 1300hrs on Saturday the 15th of November. More
details over the next few days. I will also be happy to teach this
at the seminar in Mineapolis in May next year.