Cancer and the advantage of slip on shoes
Published: Fri, 03/10/17
Just over two weeks ago I had a cancer removed. Less dramatic than it actually sounds, it was a localised basal skin cancer on my left shoulder blade area. Venetia had noticed it, the doctor thought it was worth referring me to the skin clinic and the next thing I know I am face down on an operating table while my back is cut open and a small piece of me removed. Six stitches (which were removed last Thursday) and the biopsy confirms that I am all clear so no big deal then. Except, Monday morning I had a strange sensation of my back, the best way of describing it is like it was like my skin was unzipping. It didn’t hurt and I could not see it but I showed Venetia later and she turned a bit pale and by one pm I was at the Chard Small injuries unit having it packed with a seaweed based dressing. I am now back under the care of the very nice nurse at my own doctor’s surgery. It is healing up but it is going to take a while and there
is going to be quite a scar after all. Oh well, there goes my career as a male swimsuit model.
So, how did I open up the wound? Was I training with a kettle bell? Doing some vigorous axe or staff training? Get thrown on the mat doing some Close Quarter Combat training? Just lifting something heavy? No, I was being pretty careful in mainly avoiding such activities.
I went to tie my shoe laces and stretched the skin slightly too far. I never realised that slip on shoes were such a good idea.
Where does my injury leave me now? Basically being rather careful with my left side. Training with the staff or axe is not really practical for the moment. I am doing a truncated version of the stances, just the right arm goes high for Is or Kreft. Weapon training is limited to the cudgel with the right hand. I taught classes at the beginning of the week and we did cudgel training. It was a novelty for my newest student and good revision for my regulars, either way its still training the body to work with the lines of the web. My temporary limitation (calling it a disability is a bit dramatic) has got me thinking about how complex my training and teaching actually needs to be. I don’t mean complicated. I don’t think Stav training has ever been complicated in the sense of being difficult, intricate or confusing for no good reason. If my teaching has started to move in that direction then I hope I have realised and simplified
sooner rather than later.
Complex simply means that there are a number of systems working together. Each system itself may be very simple but there is a lot to learn when they are all combined. The staff training system we use in Ice and Fire Stav uses one or more exercise related to each stance. Each exercise is very simple but the 20 or so exercises combined make a pretty complex training routine.
I am also thinking about this issue because I am completing a nine module foundation training programme. The basic ‘Trel’ stances are covered in detail over the first four modules. I also want to bring in some weapon training so that the student can learn how to work dynamically with the lines of the web. Four moves with the cudgel suggested by the Hagl rune should be sufficient. If someone is motivated to train themselves to do three strikes and a thrust then it should be possible to later teach them the more complex systems with staff, axe and spear etc.
The other issue for me is what is the simplest method of making my foundation programme available? I am open to suggestions as to how to disseminate this material.
The first thing I am doing is making the nine modules available to anyone who signs up for an appropriate course or event. On the 25th of March I am holding a Foundation training course at Somerset Stav Martial Arts. The day will go into the essentials of Stav training and practice. As soon as you sign up you will get the first module. I will send the subsequent modules out at 3 day intervals so that you can fully prepare yourself for the event. If the modules make you realise that Stav is not for you then just let me know and I will refund your booking fee. By the way, this will be the last Saturday that the premises will be the Stav Centre, the lease passes to someone else at the end of the month. So it would be nice to make it a good last event. Full details at http://www.iceandfire.org.uk/foundation.html
regards
Graham
PS If you are primarily interested in martial training then please see details of our Close Quarter Weapons Course on the 8th and 9th of April covering: Bowie knife, razor, knife defence and walking stick http://www.somersetstav.co.uk/cqcweapons.html