Weapon of Choice

So, cane is my weapon of choice this year. Not the most exciting weapon and not a weapon I would of chosen a year ago, but the creative side of my brain had been playing with an idea. That idea started with a cane and then it expands! But first I needed to start with a basic cane. I had not given much thought to what that cane was going to look like. Something basic, just a tool to learn proper technique and handling of the weapon. As soon as I saw the cane that I now own, I knew it was the one for me. Hand made by out of ash wood and carved from top to bottom. It is a beautiful cane! Who would have thought I could be so excited about a cane?

Now this is where the work comes in! I need to take that excitement that I feel and transition it into an amazing form. The cane is heavier than I had expected, especially with all the repetitions necessary to learn the strikes, the blocks and to become comfortable with the weapon. I also have difficulty processing and learning anything new quickly. I have discovered early on that taking notes and repetition is necessary for me in order to remember new forms and concepts. I am also looking forward to learning more about the cane, as I have discovered there is quite a bit of interesting information and history regarding this weapon.

 Learning to handle a weapon properly requires a lot of time, patience and practice. Becoming familiar with the weapon, how it feels in your hands and the correct technique associated with it is key to being able to handle the weapon with skill and to create your own form. The more a person works with a weapon, the more it becomes an extension of themselves. I plan to and will dig deep, practice, dig some more, and practice, practice, practice!    

Michele Ward