A silly game
Published: Wed, 08/31/16
When Ivar first started teaching Stav back in the early 1990s (seems like a long time ago) I remember him saying. “There are nine traditional weapons in Stav.” He listed them as the staff, axe, spear, cudgel, tein, throwing hammer, bow and arrow and sword. Which, even the most numerically challenged should be able to see, adds up to eight. Ivar admitted that he could not remember another one but was sure there were nine.
It then became a kind of game amongst those who knew of the ninth elusive weapon of Stav. Two of us would be in a situation such as a kitchen, a workshop, a retail outlet or anywhere in fact. Then one person would pick up an object, make some vaguely martial action with it and announce. “I have just found the ninth weapon of Stav!” The more unlikely the object the greater the amusement to those in the know and the greater the bafflement of the ignorant.
A silly game indeed but maybe a serious point was made too. Perhaps the mysterious ‘ninth weapon of Stav’ is always what you need it to be at the time you need it. The real ninth weapon is a capacity for lateral thinking which always enables you to see a way through whatever the challenge.
While I was away last week I took the time to see what my main challenges are over the next few months. What has happened over the past couple of years is that (with a lot of help from Venetia) the Stav centre has been created and made into a smart and suitable place for teaching Stav. (And to be shared with other people who want to do suitable activities there.) I have taught classes up to four times a week and some weekend seminars. However, any project that takes a lot of energy, time and resources can easily become a liability rather than an asset. So, the big challenge over the next few months is to revitalise interest in the Stav centre and Stav generally. (Without exhausting myself.)
A major lesson from Stav training is how to get out of your own way and stop blocking your own power. I can teach how to do this is a martial arts context, but can I do it in all situations?
Anyway, one challenge is to get more interest in evening classes. I am going to offer a HEMA class in which the basic training is done with swords rather than staffs and axes. Stav principles and lines can be taught but people seem to find swords very exciting. I will test that out in the next week. Link here http://somersetstav.co.uk/hema.html First class to be held on the 15th when I get back from the USA.
regards
Graham
PS Ivar is coming to Crewkerne on the last weekend of September. Come along and train with him http://stavcamp.org/index.html Don’t know if he has remembered the ninth weapon yet though!
PPS I am getting interest in my staff training programme scheduled for this Autumn but it seems the commitment in time is too much for many people. I am going to offer the option of Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon sessions details here http://somersetstav.co.uk/staff.html