Contents:

 

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1 - New Podcast: Thinking like a Criminal

 

One of the biggest problems I see when it comes to modern self-protection is the failure to understand just what we are protecting ourselves against. If we don’t understand the question, there is no way that we can give an adequate answer.

In the classic text “The Art of War” Sun Tzu famously wrote: “If you know your enemy and know yourself, you will not know defeat in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemy but know yourself, you win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemy and do not know yourself, there is grave danger in every single battle.”

From a self-protection perspective, our enemy is the violent criminal. It is the violent criminal that we need to understand if we are to be keep ourselves safe from them. We need to understand their motivations and their methods if we are to be best placed to deal with them.

I would suggest that we martial arts types have a bad habit of assuming criminals will act like fellow fighters and martial artists. We are therefore don’t “know our enemy” and hence are ill-prepared to keep ourselves safe from them.

The podcast discusses some of the key differences between fighters and criminals. We also look at some of the more common myths / false arguments made by fighters and martial artists when they try to ignore these differences and impose a “fighting solution” onto self-protection.

In other news, the podcasts will have been going for a decade next year! I therefore have a plan to mark that anniversary, and I need your help to do it. I’m trying to determine the listen’s top ten favourite podcasts over the last ten years. In the introduction I explain the process and your help would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

Listen to the podcast on this webpage: http://iainabernethy.co.uk/content/thinking-criminal-podcast

 

Listen to Iain Abernethy's Podcasts on Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/iain-abernethy-practical-application/id393104872#

 

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2 - Six New Applied Karate Videos

 

Seipai Bunkai Drill: from the start to the slam

This video shows a bunkai drill for the first part of Seipai kata (up to the downward “double punches”). It was filmed at a seminar in November 2015 in Swindon. We worked on Seipai bunkai for three hours and this drill was a very quick summation of some of the topics covered. It is not a “combination” to be used as is, but instead it is a simple two-person drill to mirror the solo drill of the kata itself.

A two-minute video cannot capture all three hours. Those in attendance were instructed in the how such methods would be applied and how they fit into the wider training matrix. This video is therefore not comprehensive nor is it instructional in nature. Nevertheless, I hope you find it interesting.

http://iainabernethy.co.uk/content/seipai-bunkai-drill-start-slam-video
 

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Basic drill for the application of blocks

In this video we summarise a basic drill for the bunkai of what are commonly, and inaccurately, referred to as “blocks”. The drill also looks at the use of hiki-te (pulling hand), muchimi (sticking to and redirecting the enemy’s limbs), and the use of stance and angles.

The drill has the techniques switch from one side to the other. This is deliberate as it affords the karateka the opportunity to repeatedly practise re-direction and sticking. This also requires the karate to constantly switch stance which will aid the development of footwork as well as underlining the transitory nature of stances in application.

This drill is not a “fighting combination” to be applied “as is”. Instead it is a kyu-level drill to promote the aforementioned skills as well as allowing for the time efficient practise of the core techniques that comprise it.

The video was filmed as a summary for those who had already learnt the drill. It is therefore not instructional in nature and maybe difficult to follow for those who were not at the event. I nevertheless hope the video is of interest.

http://iainabernethy.co.uk/content/basic-drill-application-blocks-video

 

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Gichin Funakoshi's Tsubame Gaeshi (Swallow Returns) Throw

In this short video we look at a version of Gichin Funakoshi’s Tsubame Gaeshi (Swallow Returns) Throw. The throw is one of the nine karate throws shown in Funakoshi’s book, “Karate-Do Kyohan”. While I believe the throw has historical importance, and is fun to practice, I have reservations about its practicality. The main issue being the vulnerability of turning of the back while dropping to one knee.

Regardless of personal views on the practical application of this technique, it is one karateka should be familiar with – particularly practitioners of Shotokan – because of its inclusion in Gichin Funakoshi’s “Master Text” i.e. it has value historically and as part of martial study, even if it may not have direct application in actual conflict.

http://iainabernethy.co.uk/content/gichin-funakoshis-tsubame-gaeshi-swallow-returns-throw

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Holistic Fighting Pad-Drill

This video shows a practical karate “holistic fighting pad drill”. I would define it as “holistic” because it includes straight strikes, arcing strikes, clearing limbs, a takedown, ground fighting, striking from above, controlling limbs on the floor, a ground fighting lock (attempted), and striking from underneath. It is definitely a “fighting drill”, as opposed to a “self-protection drill”, due to the fact that a floor fight is both sought and maintained. This would be a very dangerous tactic outside of the duelling paradigm because of the strong possibility of multiple enemies and the fact that escape is neither sought nor facilitated.

The drill should be performed on mats and in a continuous flowing fashion. Although a “fighting drill” by design, we nevertheless see some kata methodology in play i.e. the use of the hitkite (“pulling hand”) to clear a path of the first strike and the hammer firsts; the muchimi / slicking limbs used to clear the path for the takedown, and the “datum setting” for the elbow strikes (as we see in Tekki / Naihanchi, Pinan / Heian Yodan, Kushanku / Kanku-Dai, etc). The strikes themselves are obviously also found throughout many kata, as is the concept of taking the opponent’s centre of gravity outside their base while using our leg to prevent the enemy from correcting this and regaining their balance.

Drills like this can be an enjoyable and beneficial way to practise delivering powerful strikes, integrating grapping and striking, and developing flowing motion.

As always, drills like this should only be practised under the close supervision of a suitably qualified and experienced person.

http://iainabernethy.co.uk/content/holistic-fighting-pad-drill-video

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Two-person drill for the second half of Seipai

This video shows a two-person drill for the second half of Seipai kata. As the video shows, all of the techniques can be used individually and in many alternative arrangements; and this must be practised too. This drill should not be thought of as an “as is” re-enactment of an actual fight. This two-person drill simply represents a time efficient way to practise the bunkai of Seipai in the same order as the techniques appear in the solo-kata. This short video cannot capture the wider training methodology of which this drill is but one part. The video needs to be watched with that understanding.

Some of the techniques within this drill are potentially very dangerous and therefore this drill should only be practised under the close supervision of a suitably qualified and experienced person.

http://iainabernethy.co.uk/content/two-person-drill-second-half-seipai-video

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Comparing karate throwing with judo throwing

In this video I compare karate throwing with judo throwing. This is not so much a technical comparison as a tactical comparison. The core techniques have common ground; although the focus on throwing in judo invariably means judoka do those throws to a much higher level. Where we find greater differences is the way those throws will be applied due to the differing goals of judo (sport judo) and karate (traditional self-protection focus). We see differences in objective, nature of enemy / opponent, entry to the throw, method of execution, and following on from the throw.

There are many other differences that are not discussed and viewers need to keep in mind that a ten minute clip cannot capture all aspects of this issue, nor can it capture all that was discussed at the training session (which lasted 3 days). Differences not discussed in this clip – although they were covered at the event – include getting up vs. securing a hold, safe landings vs. landings to finish, etc.

It should also be understood that all the standing throws discussed are also present in classical judo, but we rarely see them used that way in modern judo competition. It is the modern competitive versions of the throws that I focus on in this video. Those modern versions would not be suitable for the self-defence focused karateka due to the need to keep up right and avoid the fists, feet and weapons of third parties.

As always, this is not a matter of better / worse, but instead a matter of appropriate / inappropriate for any given objective.

I hope you enjoy the video and it gives you some food for thought.

http://iainabernethy.co.uk/content/comparing-karate-throwing-judo-throwing-video

 

 

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3 - Practical Karate Weekly!

 

This online “newspaper” is a weekly Summary of all that is happening in the practical karate world. Check it out!

 

FOLLOW THIS LINK: http://paper.li/iainabernethy/1376566131

 

I personally edit it together and there will be a new edition every Wednesday (around 10am) and you can subscribe via the above page.

 

 

THIS WEEK: Articles and videos from Iain Abernethy, Kris Wilder, John Titchen, Peter Consterdine, Jamie Clubb, and more!

 

 

To subscribe enter your email address on the webpage: you’ll then be updated when every new issue comes out!

 

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4 - Combat Corner

 

As members of our associations will know, I’ve set up a weekly “Newspaper” for the WCA / BCA / BCKA! Peter has given it the title of “Combat Corner” and a new issue will be edited and generated every Wednesday!

 

It will contain articles and videos from WCA / BCA / BCKA instructors and students (and our fiends too!).

 

The fixed link to Combat Corner can be found here: https://paper.li/iainabernethy/1448461597

 

Please take a look, bookmark the webpage, and check out every new issue each Wednesday!

 

In this first edition we have material from Peter, Me, Geoff, John Johnson, Lee Taylor, Jamie Clubb, Andi Kidd, John Titchen and more!

 

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5 - Upcoming Iain Abernethy Seminars (Germany, USA, UK, etc)

 

Below you can find details of the open seminars that are taking place in the next few months. I look forward to seeing you at an event near you and if you have any questions about them, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

 

Seminar in Thornton, Lancashire

Date: 17th of January 2016

For more details please follow this link: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-witham-essex

 

Seminar in Witham, Essex

Date: 24th of January 2016

For more details please follow this link: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-witham-essex

 

Seminar in Texas, USA

Date: 29th to 31st of January 2016

For more details please follow this link: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-texas-usa

 

Seminar in Laatzen (nr Hannover), Germany
Date: 6th and 7th of February 2016
For more details please follow this link: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-laatzen-nr-hannover-germany

Seminar in Keighley, Yorkshire
Date: Saturday the 13th of February 2016
For more details please follow this link: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-keighley-yorkshire

 

Seminar in Bristol
Date: 20th of February 2016
For more details please follow this link: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-bristol-1

Seminar in Folkestone, Kent
Date: 21st of February 2016
For more details please follow this link: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-folkestone-kent-1

 

Seminar in Watford
Date: Saturday the 12th of March 2016
For more details please follow this link: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-watford

 

Seminar in Chesterfield
Date: Sunday the 13th of March 2016
For more details please follow this link: http://iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-chesterfield

 

Seminar in Presteigne, Powys
Date: Sunday the 20th of March 2016
For more details please follow this link: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-presteigne-powys-3

 

Seminar in New Jersey, USA
Date: 1st to the 3rd of April 2016
For more details please follow this link: http://iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-new-jersey-usa

 

Please visit this webpage for details of seminars later on in the year: http://iainabernethy.co.uk/seminar-dates 

To organise a seminar for your club, write to seminars@iainabernethy.com
 

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6 - John Titchen and Andi Kidd Seminar

 

Practical Karateka Andi Kidd (From Shotokan to the Street) and John Titchen (Pinan Flow System) are teaming up to bring you a unique 4 hours of training on Saturday 27 February.

Expect an eye-opening fun filled 4 lessons in practical karate!

Venue: Wycombe Sports Centre, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

Date: Saturday 27 February 1330-1730

Cost £30.

For more details and booking visit:

https://johntitchen.yapsody.com/event/index/24557/applied-karate-andi-kidd-john-titchen

 

 

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7 - HELP WANTED: “Zac's Journey Embracing the Walk”

 

I had the great pleasure of meeting Zac when he was still with us on a couple of my trips to the USA. His mother (Twila) is writing a book about this courageous boy and she has asked me to share the link to the Facebook page. If the page gets lots of likes, it could help in finding a publisher. It only takes a few second to click “like” on the “Zac's Journey Embracing the Walk” page, so please take those few seconds and do something nice for people who truly deserve our support. Thank you! https://www.facebook.com/Zacs-Journey-Embracing-the-Walk-1508090169491842/timeline

 

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8 - Jesse Enkamp Seminar in Scotland

 

On the 25^th and 26^th of June 2016, Jesse Enkamp is teaching in Scotland!

 

More details via this link: https://m.facebook.com/events/148245925533232?ref=m_notif¬if_t=plan_edited&actorid=119518074727894

 

 

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9 - Miyamoto Musashi - Half Crazy, Half Genius

 

For little over 60 years, Miyamoto Musashi walked in the valleys and mountains of feudal Japan. He is known as Japan's greatest swordsman the creator of his own unique system for wielding the classic Japanese swords and also his stoic way of life.

Go Rin No Sho, The Book of Five Rings is Musashi’s most famous work, a fantastic and classic piece of strategy and tactics for combat be also penned another manuscript, simple, direct and deep.

A week before his death Musashi put brush to paper and wrote down 21 simple precepts to help his student guide their lives.

Those precepts became the Dokkoro, The Way of Walking Alone.

Was Musashi half crazy? Half genius? A psychopath, or an ascendant master.

Musashi was without a doubt a man of contrasts:

• Fought with his father from his youth
• His father was a sword instructor, yet Musashi chose his own independent path
• Mushashi left home as a child and he never returned to his family. Did Musashi leave what we would consider an abusive home or was he driven off?
• Musashi believed in the Gods, yet was indifferent to them, not counting on them for anything
• Musashi was a loner, yet he adopted
• He also fought for Lords and lived in a cave
• He killed many men, but only killed those that accepted the terms of battle or duel
• He beat two men to death with a stick.

Five martial artists with a combined experience of over 100 years of martial arts breakdown Musashi's final manuscript.

Read what this martial artist say as they dissect Musashi's final work from their five unique viewpoints;

• Monk
• Warrior
• Teacher
• Businessman
• Insurance Executive

Take the deeper dive into the world of Musashi. You can read more about the book at Amazon.com. The book is available in paperback and Kindle formats.

Kris+

P.S. We think you are not just going to be pleasantly surprised, but we know you are are going to see your martial arts in a different way – and for the rest of your life.

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Musashis-Dokkodo-The-Walking-Alone/dp/0692563490

Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Musashis-Dokkodo-The-Walking-Alone/dp/0692563490

 

 

 

Dokkōdō - The Path of Aloneness
Written by the legendry warrior Miyamoto Musashi days before he died in 1645

Accept everything just the way it is.

Do not seek pleasure for its own sake.

Do not, under any circumstances, depend on a partial feeling.

Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.

Be detached from desire your whole life.

Do not regret what you have done.

Never be jealous.

Never let yourself be saddened by a separation.

Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself nor others.

Do not let yourself be guided by the feeling of lust or love.

In all things, have no preferences.

Be indifferent to where you live.

Do not pursue the taste of good food.

Do not hold on to possessions you no longer need.

Do not act following customary beliefs.

Do not collect weapons or practice with weapons beyond what is useful.

Do not fear death.

Do not seek to possess either goods or fiefs for your old age.

Respect Buddha and the gods without counting on their help.

You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honour.

Never stray from the way.

 

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10 - Pinan Flow System Volume Four by John Titchen

 

"So here we are with the final volume of this series of books from John Titchen! You can now see John’s full interpretation of the Pinan series! How cool is that!

Gichin Funakoshi – who is frequently referred to as “The Father of Modern Karate” – wrote the following in Karate-Do Kyohan about these kata,

“Having mastered these five forms, one can be confident that he is able to defend himself competently in most situations”.

The Pinan / Heian series were therefore always intended to be a holistic self-protection system; and I think John’s books have shown a great way in which this traditional view can be realised!

John’s take on the Pinan / Heian kata is a very logical and well-structured bunkai theory. It is not a collection of “tricks” which happen to look like the motions of the kata, but a valid bunkai theory based on, and permeated by, sound underlying combative principles. It’s not the same as my theory, but I acknowledge its utility and the fact it meets all of my personal criteria for validity. It is very good stuff!

Now that the series is complete, you can take the information presented within and run with it “as is”, or use the information John has given you to help inform your own take on the kata series. We can then move past the “analysis stage” to use the kata in the way Funakoshi said they were originally intended: as a holistic self-protection system. This is what John has presented.

These books have made a great contribution to the collective knowledge base of the practical karate community. Well done to John for writing them! Well done you for reading them!"

Available across the globe... the fourth and final volume of the Pinan Flow System is now available as both a paperback and ebook! Use the UK links below or visit your 'local' amazon provider or order it at your local book store!

This book, the final instalment of a four volume series, examines the fifth Pinan / Heian kata. With practical application drills based on both the study of the reactions of students to common forms of aggression and violence in high pressure scenario simulations and years of research into violent crime, it contains a look at some of the myths surrounding the purpose and application of kata, along with a review of the rationale for using interlocking drills to progress from static to dynamic training, and an illustrated discussion of the difference between form and function in training for flexibility, fitness, and fighting.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/151922947X

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0180YC2IU

 

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11 - New Richard Poage DVD

 

Seminar Footage - Richard Poage at the 2015 Cal-South Shorinkan Camp

Hello everyone,

We have put together a DVD of footage taken during my Sensei's classes at the 2015 Cal-South Shorinkan Camp, where he covered kata bunkai and various karate drills. You don't have to be a Shorinkan practitioner to find value in the material--all Shorin-Ryu practitioners, and even those who practice other Shuri-Te lineage arts, will find kata applications and techniques that can be implemented into your own training.

 

Watch a sample here: https://youtu.be/wsUMkGJ76hA

 

And you can purchase the DVD here: http://smile.amazon.com/Richard-Poage-2015-Cal-South-Shorinkan/dp/B019JFAGZ0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450537412&sr=8-1

 

 

 

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12 - IKKU Scottish Open Knockdown

 

IKKU Scottish Open Knockdown, Saturday 27th February at the ARC Health & Fitness Centre, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow. G4 0BA

This will be the 7th Scottish Open that I have organised and the 4th one in Glasgow, we started very small in Lochgilphead in Argyll in 2010 with a "Novice" event, then moved to Edinburgh the following year where we had novice & open categories (a knockdown fighter is no longer classed as a novice after three tournaments). We stayed in Edinburgh for two years but moved to Glasgow as it was easier and cheaper to fly to and we have been holding it at the ARC fitness centre since 2013. After moving it to Glasgow we started getting overseas entrants. The Scandinavian countries seem to like it, this year Swedish fighters took all the Open category 1st places.

We have men's Novice & Open weight categories Light, Middle & Heavyweight, that's under 70Kg, under 80Kg & 80Kg + and ladies Novice & Open Light & Heavyweight, under 65Kg and 65Kg +.
The event has grown so much over the last few years that for the 2017 event we are looking at a bigger hall in the same venue to accommodate two mats. This year we have a max number of fighters of 70, due to time restrictions.

We have a very good relationship with other Kyokushin organisations to an extent that referees and judges from those other groups come together and help at the event.

 

 

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13 - Seishin Gi in the UK

 

Martialartskit.com is the official UK distributor for Seishin International, who produce the prestigious and world renowned Seishin gi.

This high quality gi continues to draw attention and gain reputation across the world, for good reason. The list of high level endorsements grows continually.

This gi has the feel of a lightweight gi but the look and snap of a heavyweight gi. It is made from a UNIQUE 9.5oz hand selected breathable brushed cotton fibre, with Okinawan cut high waist pants with innovative loops and pleats, as well as air cooling vents in the jacket and pants.

This really is the next level gi, the likes of which has never been seen before. Reinforced stitching in the seams and hems also ensures durability.

Available from www.martialartskit.com for only £145 with free delivery anywhere in the UK.
 

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14 - The World Combat Association

 

Iain’s Introduction To The WCA

The exponential growth in those returning to practicing the martial arts in a practical way means that there is now a pressing need for a global dedicated association so practitioners of applied martial arts can band together for the benefit of both the arts and themselves.

The bodies set up to promote sporting offshoots or a particular style or methodology – as useful as they can be for their members – do little to promote and enhance what we see as an extremely important aspect of the martial arts.

An open and inclusive worldwide association is needed for pragmatic traditionalists and practitioners of functional martial arts. The World Combat Association (WCA) fulfils this need!

Many martial arts bodies have a recurring bad habit of trying to limit the freedom of their members and hence the WCA aims promote and enhance the wide variety of pragmatic approaches without imposing unnecessary limits upon people.

The WCA will wholly dedicated to the promotion and furtherance of applied martial arts. Your standard association will typically deal with things like insurance, providing representatives for competitions etc. That is not the role of the WCA.

The WCA has been set up to be an independent association of likeminded individuals who believe that applied martial arts needs a body to address the specific issues associated with our pragmatic approaches ....
 

Read more: http://worldcombatassociation.com/?page_id=230

 

WCA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorldCombatAssociation

 

WCA on Twitter: https://twitter.com/worldcombatassn