This message is specifically about the course in West London in March. However if you can't make that one I will be in the USA at the beginning of May, there are the summer camps or you might like to organise a course in your location for me to teach, so please read it anyway.

This year I made a decision not or organise any day courses myself. Instead I have chosen to concentrate on writing and developing the two summer camps in June and July. However, I am willing and available to teach if someone else is prepared to do the basic organisation. Two of my long-standing friends and associates in Stav have so far done this. John Lindley organised a most successful event near Salisbury in February. In March, for the first time in at least a decade, you have the chance to attend a course in London. My good friend and associate Snake has been kind enough to organise a course in Denham on Saturday the 19th of March when I can teach and you can learn Stav for a day.

We will have to limit it to 20 places for reasons of space and so that you can have a reasonable share of my direct attention. So book now and ensure that you secure your place.

Over the past 20 years I have learned Stav from Ivar Hafskjold as one of his first personal students in the UK. I also teach Stav weekly and have done so continuously for the past 18 years. My current class is in Glastonbury on Wednesday evenings. I also teach 8 or 10 day courses a year and two or three camps. I travel to the USA and Germany regularly and I am regularly invited to teach Stav at events such as the Mercian Gathering and Druid Camp. I have also delivered demonstrations and workshops at events such as regional Pagan Federation Conferences and last year at the Rotary Martial Arts Festival in Bath. For the past 20 years I have devoted myself to the study, practice and teaching of Stav. On Saturday the 19th of March I would like to share some of what I have learned during that time. I will teach the Stances and other practices which come directly from Ivar Hafskjold. I will also instruct you in the basic training methods which I have developed from Ivar's core teaching.

You can pick up some idea of what Stav is about from books and DVDs but there really is no substitute for face to face instruction with a really experienced teacher. This course will give you the chance to benefit from my experience. I look forward to sharing my knowledge with you and, at most, 19 others so don't miss out.

Sadly, we are only going to have one day, which means I am only going to be able to share with you a fraction of what I could teach given the time. But we will pack in as much as possible so that you will finish the day with a sound basis for practice in your own time. You will also have gained some expectation of what regular practice of Stav could do for you.

On Saturday the 19th we will cover:

The Sixteen Stances. These are the foundation of Stav and they have many benefits. The stances provide gentle yet powerful toning and stretching. The stances promote deep and natural breathing. Regular practice of the stances will cultivate a correct and efficient posture. The stances provide you with the basis for improving your health and well-being and as the foundation for the rest of your Stav practice.

Staff exercises. A system of training with the staff which I (assisted by various students and associates), have developed over the past 15 years. The staff exercises are derived from the Stances and will assist you in preparing the body to do the stances to maximum effect. You will find the staff exercises very effective for developing your balance, strength, flexibility and mental focus. The staff exercises also provide you with the basis for martial arts training. By learning and practising the Staff exercises you will notice a dramatic improvement in your flexibility and conditioning. You will also be laying the foundation for highly sophisticated martial arts training.

The Five principles of Stav. An essential core teaching in Stav. I will make these five principles come alive to you during the course.

Self-defence. Understandably we often don't really want to think about having to protect ourselves. Most of the time common sense and keeping your wits about you suffices to keep you out of trouble. The five principles are key to minimising the likelihood of you being involved in violent conflict as you will see during the course of the day. However, sometimes you need a little more than just attitude to deal with a difficult situation. I will teach you a very simple but highly effective method of training which will build up your confidence in your own body and convince you that it is by no means impossible to deter most attacks on you. Best of all the training is actually rather fun to participate in and practice.

On Saturday the 19th of March you are going to have a busy, stimulating and highly informative day. It will require effort on your part but I am very experienced in pacing training so that you will not get too tired. You may well feel more energised by the time you leave than when you arrived.

You may also want to come on the Stav Summer Camp in July with Ivar Hafskjold. I hope very much that you do want to train with Ivar, it is a great and rare privilege to have the opportunity to do so. You may also be thinking that the full summer camp is a big commitment which it is. So let the training on the 19th convince you one way or the other. It is also a requirement for attending the Stav Summer Camp that you have some relevant experience during the previous calendar year. Attendance at the course on the 19th will qualify you for attending the Stav Summer Camp. But you won't be the only one who needs to attend for the same reason so book up quickly.

Cost: The full amount for the training on the 19th of March, which will last from 10 am to 5 pm, is £30 for non-members of Ice and Fire. I hope no one pays the whole lot since you can book in advance and claim a £5 discount. The same applies if you are an I&F member with the day cost at £25 or £20 for pre-booking. If you are a student or on low income you can claim the concession rate at £20, or £15 if pre-booked.

Stav can change your life if you engage with it as a regular practice. However, you really need to get started with expert instruction. Let me provide that teaching as your foundation for incorporating Stav into your life.

If you are unable to book in advance then please check availability of places the night before by phoning Graham on 0771 358 5959 or emailing graham@iceandfire.org.uk