I have been interested in martial arts since I was a child. I began serious training in Kyshindo Karate under George Mayo when I was 15. Later I studied Feng Shui Kung Fu, Shotokan Karate and Nambudo. I also spent 9 years as an infantry soldier with the TA as was trained small arms and other infantry weapons. When I began studying Stav with Ivar Hafskjold my initial interest was in the martial training he offered. My training with Ivar began with learning the stances and staff work. I later made the battle axe my personal weapon. We also worked with self defence applications of the stances and worked with Ivar to develop training programmes with the sax, cudgel, spear and long sword.
In 1996 I moved to Oxford and began teaching in the South of England. Since then I have taught weekly classes and day courses at least once a month in the Oxford area. I have also continued to support a group based in Lincoln under one of my senior students Alex Fell-Bowers. I have taught seminars in London and have, in the last two years taught regularly in Germany where a successful group has been established under Peter Romero-Sauer.
Stav provides both a universal approach to martial arts training and a specifically European system of training. It is universal in that training seeks to integrate mind, body and spirit in order to:
It is a specifically European in that the runes are traditional European symbols and the stances were developed, over many hundreds of years, to work with the Northern European physiology. The five principles of Stav are European expressions for the structure of our society and reflect our basic thought processes. The image of the web, and it's component threads of life, expresses the traditional concept of Orlog, the primal law of the universe.
There are even more basic ways in which geography, climate and culture are reflected in the practice of martial arts. In the Philippines the most prevalent vegetation is Rattan so the weapons used are made from this material and the tools, also used as weapons are designed for cutting it. Thus the martial systems emphasize fast and repetitive striking with light and flexible weapons. If cutting weapons are used they tend to be thin, flexible and razor sharp for slicing. In Northern Europe we have access to much stronger wood so the weapons we use in Stav will be made from Ash, Oak or Hazel requiring slower but much stronger strikes. The tools which may be used as weapons are heavier and intended for chopping hard wood, hence the use of Axe and Sax. This is not to say that we do not have a great deal to learn from the martial arts of other places and cultures, indeed Ivar and each of his senior students have considerable experience in working with oriental arts, but this has simply helped us realize the potential of what Stav has to offer.
The overall objective of practising Stav is to achieve an awareness of, and an integration with the Web of Orlog. Along the way the student will develop strength, flexibility and enhance vitality. They will discover self awareness and gain the ability to make ethical and pragmatic choices in conflict situations. They will learn how to deal with a physical attack and how to redirect or neutralize aggression. They can be liberated from fear, anger and the other illusions which lead us into unnecessary conflict. As we move towards becoming one with the web we discover that the web can protect us from harm and reduce the inclination or necessity to harm others. It is not hard to write this, but it takes many years of dedicated training to discover it for ourselves and make it a reality. I have 29 years experience in martial arts training and practice, the past 12 years concentrating on Stav. I am still discovering new possibilities and depths in the Stav system and in my own potential. I enjoy teaching Stav because I am happy to pass on what I have been taught and to share what I am constantly discovering for myself. Also, through teaching I learn a great deal as my students discover new insights for themselves. I am confident that what I, and other Stav teachers, teach will improve health, strength and vitality and equip the student to protect themselves, But the primary purpose of all that is taught through Stav is to bring about an awareness of the Web of Orlog.
For more information please look at Grahams web site.