Contents:

 

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1 – New Podcasts! Q & A Parts 1 and 2!

 

Q and A Podcast Part 1: Self-defence and Bunkai Questions

 

This podcast is so big, it became two podcasts! This is Part 1 of what will be a 3-hour Q&A podcast! I asked for questions and then arranged them by topic. In Part 1 we cover self-defence and kata / bunkai questions! Topics covered are listed below. We also have some new comedy “sponsors” that I hope you’ll enjoy too!

 

Self-Defence

The use of weapons in self-defence / UK weapons law; The effect of the local law on training; Kyusho points for self defense; Do self-defence instructors need real life experience; Why do so many clubs focus on sport; Kicking in self-defence; Self-defence training for children; How to teach students to walk away; What to do following an incident ; Do we train in too many things; many of which will be ineffective in self-defence.

 

Kata and Bunkai

(Starts at 55 mins) The use of Kubodo weapons in Kata; What is the most practical kata; How many kata do you need to know; Why do many so many karate clubs not practise bunkai; Do the kata of different styles have differing amounts of information; Why do instructors knowingly teach impractical bunkai; When should students start learning bunkai; Do all traditional forms/kata come with bunkai; Do I publish my latest thoughts and discoveries or do I keep it for the seminars; Given the amount of information available, why do some instructors ignore it and stick to “compass point bunkai”; What was the kata that Funakoshi’s son was taught in secret; As people study a smaller number of kata in greater depth, is there a danger some kata will be forgotten; and, if so, which ones will they be; Should we change kata to better reflect bunkai; How do we ensure kata bunkai training covers all the likely happenings in self-protection; Which of the previous podcasts do I think are “must listens” for students wishing to understand the basics of bunkai.

 

View the video and Listen to the podcast on this webpage: https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/q-and-podcast-part-1-self-defence-and-bunkai-questions

 

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

 

 

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Q and A Podcast Part 2: Karate and Training

 

Part 2 of our 3-hour Q&A podcast! Please be sure to listen to part 1 first! In Part 1 we covered self-defence and kata / bunkai questions. In Part 2 we look at General Karate, and Training and Technique questions! A full list of topics can be found below. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions!

 

General Karate

What other Japanese arts have influenced the development of karate; Are modern styles losing the originality and martial side of karate; Where does tradition stop and modern innovation start; Has MMA helped karate re-discover itself; What style of karate do I practise; Thoughts on karate getting in the Olympics; The nature of kiai; How karate is influenced by national culture; Where does karate begin and end; What are Motubu's most significant and / or unique contributions to Karate; The criticisms I have had; If I could talk to Itosu and Funakoshi what would I want to know; The evolution of my own karate.

 

Training & Technique

(Starts at 51:30 mins) Traditional vs. modern training equipment; How much time should you spend on each element; Should you wear gloves when doing pad drills; Training in more than one art; The necessity of sparring; Training for body type; Which part of the fist should we hit with; Flexibility training; Fitness training in karate classes.

 

View the video and Listen to the podcast on this webpage: https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/q-and-podcast-part-2-karate-and-training

 

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

 

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2 – New Podcast! Iain and Kris Wilder discuss growth, planning, patience and focus!

 

In this podcast Kris Wilder and I discuss growth, planning, patience and focus in the martial arts and everyday life. It was a fun conversation!

 

The podcast was recorded at Kris’s home studio when I visited Seattle earlier this year. Kris, Rory Miller, Lawrence Kane, Jordan Giarratano and I were chatting when Kris asked if I wanted to do a podcast … so we entered the studio and this was the result. Kris did a great job in steering the conversation and I think some very interesting stuff got recorded.

 

It was put out mid-December as an episode of Kris Wilder’s and Lawrence Kane’s “Martial Arts and Life” podcast (subscribe if you’ve not yet done so!) and Kris kindly let me share it via this feed too.

 

Martial Arts and Life Podcast on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/martial-arts-life/id1114321150?mt=2

 

Kris Wilder was the guy who introduced me to podcasting when I was on his “Martial Secrets” podcast way back in 2005. That was the first podcast I ever did. In fact, I think it was the first time I’d heard of “podcasts”. I asked Kris all about them, and that planted the seed for my own podcasts. Not long after Richard Barnes pushed me to get going (as well as providing all the technical knowhow to make it happen). So you’ve those two men to thank / blame for the decade of podcasting that has resulted to date!

 

After the main podcast Kris has included an outtake. We had to pause for a second and Kris whistled into the microphone to mark the point that needed taken out. This resulted in three sharp spikes that are easily identifiable on the monitor. That makes editing very simple and it struck me as genius! You can hear how impressed I was and it’s now a part of my own podcasting process :-)

 

I hope you enjoy listening to the podcast!

 

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3 – The Applied Karate / Kata Bunkai App Updates!

 

As you know, the app is updated with new exclusive content weekly! We have recently added exclusive videos on:

 

• Advanced Chinto / Gankaku Drills

• Attack Lines & Angles in Kata

• Basic Chokes and Strangles

• Why there are no guards in kata

• Saifa History and Bunkai

• Naihanchi / Tekki Leg Techniques

• Bunkai Basics: Knife Hand Drills

• Principles of Throws and Takedowns

• In-Depth Breakdown: Holistic Impact Drill

• Introduction to Basic Kata Based Sparring

• Four Video Breaking-Down Bunkai for the whole of Niseishi / Nijushiho

• Three Niseishi / Nijushiho Bunkai Pad-Drills

• Basic Joint Lock Drill

• And More!

 

If you are not an app subscriber you are missing out on loads of exclusive content!

More details here: http://iainabernethy.co.uk/iain-abernethys-applied-karate-kata-bunkai-app

 

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4 – Nine New Applied Karate Videos!

 

1) Jion Bunkai and Drills

In this video we look at some applications / bunkai for Jion kata, and then combine them into a flow drill. It should be remembered that flow drills are not a “replication” of a fight (only live practise will suffice), but instead they are a time-efficient way to practise the methods of the kata. The kata, the drills and live practise (where the principles and methods of the kata can be applied freely) combine to form a holistic training matrix.
Kata alone is not enough; drills alone are not enough; and live practice alone is not enough (because you need to be educated on what to do in that live practice). It’s when it all put together that it works, and the purpose and nature of kata can be realised.

It needs to be remembered that this clip is a short summery filmed at a much longer event. It is not possible to show the full methodology, nor is the clip intended to be instructional in nature. It was filmed to be an aid to memory for those present at the event. I nevertheless hope it is of interest.
 

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/jion-bunkai-and-drills-video

2) Basic Body Shifting Pad Drill

In this video we share a basic body-shifting pad-drill. All punches are done with the right-hand (or left when you do it from the opposite stance). The drill consists of one punch shifting backward, one punch on the spot, one lunging-punch stepping forward, and one reverse-punch stepping forward. We therefore have four right-hand punch variations in one quick drill.

One thing to note is that because the enemy’s arm has not been grabbed, your non-punching arm should be up and ready to work (not arbitrarily pulled back to the hip). Hikite (pulling hand / the hand on the hip in kata) is there to clear the enemy’s limbs out of the way of the target, and to locate the enemy via proprioception (holding them so you know where they are in the mess of the fight). We should never pull the hand to the hip if it is not performing one of these tasks i.e. it is empty.

The drill should also be performed in a flowing way. It should not be done with gaps or moments of stillness. It is not four motions; but one motion where the pads are hit four times. The “stances” are not fixed or to be held (as one would do in the learning stages) but instead they are flowed through, and adapted if required to ensure maximum impact for the given distance.

This idea is encapsulated in Gichin Funakoshi’s 17th precept: “Beginners use stances; advanced students use natural postures”. This does not refer to a change in practise where beginners use stances and advanced students abandon them in favour of something else. What it refers to is the “stances” of the beginners becoming the “natural body positions” of the more advanced student.

Genwa Nakasone wrote the following in Karate-Do Taikan when clarifying Funakoshi’s 17th precept: “Karate has many stances; it also has none.” It may seem like a paradox but it is not. Karate has no fixed postures; but we move through many postures as we move. In short, we do not move “to” the stances, but “through” the stances.

Genwa Nakasone (when clarifying Funakoshi’s 18th precept) also wrote, “Never be shackled by the rituals of kata but instead move freely according to the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses”. So there will be occasions where stances will need lengthened or shortened in order to get maximum impact.

We want to encourage body awareness and precision of movement when doing the solo kata; so the stances should be “exact” in kata. However, in application, the stances need to be an “exact fit” for the circumstances. Therefore, variation of the “formal stance”, as presented in the kata, in order to ensure maximum impact in a given set of circumstances is desirable. That is the traditional process.

This drill can help with the application of stances because it encourages fluid notion through the stances (not freeze-framing on them as one may do in the learning stage) and the adaptation of the stance to circumstance.
 

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/basic-body-shifting-pad-drill-video


3) Naihanchi / Tekki-Shodan Striking Flow Drill

In this short clip we look at a bunkai flow-drill for Naihanchi / Tekki-Shodan. It is a basic drill that focuses on creating and exploiting opportunities for close-range strikes. It should be remembered that this clip shows a few minutes summarising a much longer session. This clip is therefore not instructional in nature and obviously does not cover how such drills fit into the wider training matrix. The methods of the kata need drilled in many other supporting ways. This drill is just one of many.

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/naihanchi-tekki-shodan-striking-flow-drill-video


4) Jitte Bunkai

This video looks at the bunkai from Jitte kata. “Jitte” translates as “ten hands” and the video begins by examining what that name may represent. There then follows a demonstration of a two-person drill that is made up of the kata’s bunkai, in the order they appear in the kata. This is just one of many Jitte drills and it is important to also drill the motions individually, in short sequences, in alternate orders, with variations, with varying levels of compliance, and so on. This drill is not meant to mimic an actual fight, or suggest that the kata could be applied in its entirety as shown in a live situation. Instead, it is a two-person drill to sit alongside the solo-form to act as a time efficient form of practise. How such drills fit into the wider training matrix is beyond the scope of this video.

 

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/jitte-bunkai-video


5) Dropping and Rising Punches

The striking in modern karate tends to be very linear due to the influence of modern sporting practises. However, when we look at the striking within the traditional kata we do see strikes that arc downward, upward and horizontally. In this video, we look at a downward arcing strike from Passai / Bassai-Dai, and an upward arching strike from Wanshu / Enpi. As with all these videos, this is just a short clip from a much longer training session and therefore the video is inevitably incomplete. I nevertheless hope you find it interesting.

 

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/dropping-and-rising-punches-video


6) Naihanchi / Tekki Shodan Bunaki Pad Drill

In this video we look at a close-range Naihanchi / Tekki-Shodan pad-drill! The purpose of the drill is to allow the practise of some of the motions of the kata, in sequence, in a way where we can actually make hard contact with a target. When practising with a partner – which is also obviously very important – power needs to be taken out of the striking. Drills like this one can help correct for that.

This drill mainly looks at the rising strike and the horizontal hammer-fist. On both strikes the non-striking arm is clearing the path to the target. At close-range, it is far more effective to have the hands active in this way; as opposed to having them held in a passive guard. We see lots of active hands throughout kata (which is also why we don’t see passive “guards”). The drill also includes the “retuning wave kick” from the kata, which is an effective close-range kick.
 

This is just one of many drills, and all other strikes in the kata should also be drilled against impact equipment in this way. This is not something the past masters could do; because modern striking equipment was not available to them. There was therefore limitations on the way they could practice e.g. you could not do the kata sequence covered as is on a makiwara (hitting from differing angles, clearing real limbs, etc). Modern equipment should therefore be embraced – alongside their older counterparts – for the improvements to karate training they can permit.
 

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/naihanchi-tekki-shodan-bunaki-pad-drill-video


7) Niseishi / Nijushiho Opening Sequence Bunkai

In this video we look at bunkai for the opening sequence of Niseishi / Nijushiho kata! There are essentially two main variations on this sequence. We either see the third movement being done as a rising elbow (i.e. as Shotokan) or as the foot being withdrawn and the left arm being dropped forward (i.e. as Shito-ryu or Wado-Ryu). Bunkai for both variations are covered in this video.

The bunkai is presented in the form of a single drill. However, as with all bunkai, the motions should also be drilled separately, be varied and be drilled in alternate orders. It should be remembered that this drill is just one part of a much wider training methodology. Please watch out for another video that will be coming soon in which we show how this sequence can be drilled on the pads!

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/niseishi-nijushiho-opening-sequence-bunkai


8) Niseishi / Nijushiho Pad-Drill 1

In this video we look at bunkai based pad-drill for the opening sequence of Niseishi / Nijushiho kata! There are essentially two main variations on this sequence. We either see the third movement being done as a rising elbow (i.e. as Shotokan) or as the foot being withdrawn and the left arm being dropped forward (i.e. as Shito-ryu or Wado-Ryu). Pad drills for both variations are covered in this video. We also add in the following leg withdrawal (done as a knee lift in some styles) and “double block” as an inner reaping throw. Of course, we must adapt the techniques a little in order to allow uke to hold the pads in away from their head. Regardless, this remains a fun and satisfying way to practise the bunkai sequence with actual impact.

As with all bunkai and associated drills, the motions should also be drilled separately, be varied and be drilled in alternate orders. They also need drills live. It should be remembered that this drill is just one part of a much wider training methodology.

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/niseishi-nijushiho-pad-drill-1-video


9) Kata-Based Limb-Control Drill

This video shows at a basic kata-based limb-control drill. The methods contained within the drill can be found in many kata including Gekisai-Dai-Ni, Chinte, Chinto / Gankaku, Niseishi / Nijushio, etc.
It is important to remember that this is just one of many drills, and the methods within need drilled individually, in alternate sequences, and in differing contexts. It is also important to drill the methods live and give them free-rein in live practise.

It is when these methods are integrated into such a wider training matrix that they will become applicable in live situations and the value of kata will become fully realised.
 

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/kata-based-limb-control-drill-video

 

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5 - Upcoming Iain Abernethy Seminars

(Germany, USA, UK, Netherlands, Ireland, Australia, 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 Oldbury, West Midland

Date: 8^th of January 2017

http://iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-oldbury-west-midlands

 

Seminar in the Netherlands

Date: 21^st and 22^nd of January 2017

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-assendelft-netherlands-near-amsterdam

 

Seminar in Texas, USA

Date:27^th to the 29^th of January 2017

http://iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-texas-usa

 

Seminar in Hinnerup, Denmark

Date: 4^th and 5^th of February 2017

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-hinnerup-denmark-0

 

Seminar in Co. Mayo, Ireland

Date: 17th, 18th, and 19th of February 2017

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-ireland

 

Seminar in Bristol

Date: 25^th of February 2017

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-bristol-1

 

Seminar in Keighley, Yorkshire

Date: 4^th of March 2017

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-keighley-yorkshire

 

Seminar in Birmingham (with Andrew Rheeston)

Date: 5^th of March 2017

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-birmingham-andrew-rheeston

 

Seminar in Melbourne, Australia

Date: 10^th to 12^th of March 2017

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-melbourne-australia  

 

Seminar in Dorking, Surrey

Date: 19^th of March 2017

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-dorking-surrey

 

Seminar in Laatzen (nr Hannover), Germany

Date: 25^th and 26^th of March 2017

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-laatzen-nr-hannover-germany

 

Seminar in Alabama, USA!

Date: 31^st of March to the 2^nd of April 2017

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-alabama-usa

 

Iain Abernethy and Don Came seminar (Haywards Heath, West Sussex)

Date: 8^th of April 2017

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/iain-abernethy-and-don-came-seminar-haywards-heath-west-sussex

 

Seminar in Witham, Essex

Date: 9^th of April 2017

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-witham-essex

 

Seminar in Presteigne, Wales

Date: 23^rd of April 2017

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-presteigne-wales

 

Seminar in Chesterfield!

Date: 30^th of April 2017

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-chesterfield

 

Seminar in Dresden, Germany

Date: 13^th of May 2017

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-dresden-germany-0

 

Seminar in Pennsylvania, USA

Date: 19^th to 21^st of May 2017

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-pennsylvania-usa-2017

 

Seminar in Newton Ayclife

Date: 28^th of May 2017

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-newton-ayclife

 

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 - New Instructors under Iain Abernethy

 

Congratulations to the following who have completed their Instructor Awards recently! I only run these courses once every four or five years and it takes a lot of research, two written papers and a multilayer practical assessment to get through it. All have shown a good understanding of my general approach (as distinct from the specific method I teach to my personal students) and have demonstrated the ability to communicate that approach while integrating it into what they do.  I would therefore recommend them to others wanting to understand the nature of kata bunkai.

 

 

Ben Pethick (UK)

 

 

Ben Pethick holds the rank of 3rd Dan in Karate (British Karate Association) and also a 4th Degree Black Belt in ITF Taekwon-Do. Ben started teaching Karate full-time in 2003 and started his own club (Crouching Tiger Karate) in 2007. Learning and exploring the practical applications to Kata has transformed Ben’s approach to Karate and he places a great emphasis on bunkai and pragmatic self-protection in his classes. www.crouchingtigerkarate.co.uk

 

 

James Hall (UK)

 

 

James has been training in applied karate since 2009 with Andi Kidd at Genjitsu Karate Kai in Swindon, Wilts. (http://www.genjitsu.co.uk) after many years' training and instructing in a "three k's" environment. James is the third Genjitsu Karate Kai instructor to achieve the full Instructor Award, along with Andi Kidd and Steve White. Genjitsu Karate Kai offers karate and self-protection training for adults and children in Swindon and surrounding areas. James is a regular instructor at the annual Bunkai Bash (https://sites.google.com/site/thebunkaibash/home) and is a two-time guest contributor to Conflict Manager magazine (https://conflictresearchgroupintl.com/conflict-manager-magazine/)

 

 

Jim Smoak (USA)

 

 

I have been in the martial arts for just over 20 years, and teaching 15 of them.  I am a 4th Dan in Matsumura Seito Shorin-ryu and I am the chief instructor for Cedar Park Martial Arts in Seattle, Washington.  I currently reside in Charleston, SC and plan to open a sister dojo here.  Outside of the martial arts (is there an "outside" of the martial arts?...), I work for a software company based in Seattle.  I've always been fascinated in the practicality of the martial arts, and the diversity of application available to us through kata, so I was naturally drawn to what Iain was doing across the pond.  I've been following his career and work for years and was absolutely enthralled by his work.  I decided to charter my dojo with the WCA a few years ago, and when I found that Iain was offering an instructor certification program in the U.S., signing up was a no brainer for me!  It was a great experience and really solidified and structured what I had been learning in bits and pieces over the years.

 

 

Scott Kays (USA)

 

 

Scott Kays started his karate training in 1993 and currently holds the rank of godan in Shōrin Ryū Karatedō under Col. Roy Hobbs of the Sekai Dentōkan Bugei Renmei. He opened Dentōkan Dōjō (www.dentokandojo.com) in 2008 in his hometown of Frankfort, Indiana, USA, where he offers instruction in traditional Shōrin Ryū Karatedō, focusing on the self-defense aspect of the art by teaching practical combative strategies extracted from the principles taught within the kata syllabus.

 

 

Peter Jones (UK)

 

 

Peter Jones is from Worcestershire, England, and has been practicing martial arts since 1990. He currently holds six dan ranks including Kempo Jujitsu, Aiki-Jujitsu and Karate. Having taken a meandering path in the learning of kata, Pete first experienced Iain Abernethy’s method around ten years ago and has engaged in it since. He is the founder of the Kajuen Ryu and teaches with a strong pragmatic focus.

 

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/news/instructor-awards-0

 

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7 – The Martial Art Woman now on Sale!

 

The book, The Martial Arts Woman, shares the stories and insights of more than twenty-five women in the martial arts, and how they apply martial arts to their lives. Unlike any other martial art book, the reader will catch a glimpse into the brave and empowered woman who dares to be all that she can be. Many had to overcome great societal or personal obstacles to just be allowed to practice.

This book enlightens and inspires. After reading it, you will realize the power of the human spirit and the martial art mindset that dwells in all of us.

Iain’s review:

This is a much needed book that is very well executed. The martial arts can appear to be a very masculine affair from the outside (and even from within at times). Testosterone, muscles and two guys beating the living daylights out of each other are images that leap to mind for most. The martial arts can be much more than that though. They can be an empowering way of life; for men and women alike.

We take the lessons learnt in the dojo – lessons in resilience, discipline, commitment, strength and adaptability – and apply them to our lives. Life can be as brutal and challenging as any fight.

Gichin Funakoshi – often called “The Father of Modern Karate” – said, "One whose spirit and mental strength have been strengthened by sparring with a never-say-die attitude should find no challenge too great to handle. One who has undergone long years of physical pain and mental agony to learn one punch, one kick, should be able to face any task, no matter how difficult, and carry it through to the end. A person like this can truly be said to have learned karate."

I agree! The contributors to this book have embodied that martial spirit in the tales they share. Their stories and insights also embody a true femininity. A femininity of strength, determination, compassion, insight and power. This is a book written by warrior women and it will inspire all who read it.

As I write this, the love of my life – herself a Martial Arts Woman – is pregnant with our daughter. Our daughter will be educated in the martial arts, because we both want her to be a Martial Arts Woman too. The lessons outlined in this book are exactly the ones we wish to impart to her though the martial arts. It’s a joy to read this coming together of martial values, life lessons, and feminine strength.

A brilliant book!

Iain Abernethy, 6th Dan Karate
 

Signed Copies Here: http://themartialartswoman.storenvy.com/products/18348041-book-the-martial-arts-woman

UK Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Martial-Arts-Woman-Motivational-Stories/dp/193788418X/
 

US Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Arts-Woman-Motivational-Stories/dp/193788418X/

 

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8 – Bunkai Bash 5!

In 2017 the Bunkai Bash will be having its 5th year. It should be another great event and Instructors are being approached now. Event held in Wiltshire, UK.

The event will be from the evening of Friday July 21st to Sunday lunchtime on the 23rd.

Day tickets are available!

Prices will be the same as last year at £75 for the full weekend including BBQ and T-shirt. The cut price deal has been extended so if you pay for the full camp before January 20th you can get all of the fun, fights and food for the bargain price of £65! - yes a a reduction of over 13%

Also if any groups want to come, if you pay for four places, you get a fifth one free!

Contact Andi at andi@andikidd.com to take up these amazing offers now!

 

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9 – Krav Maga: Tactical Survival Book

 

“Krav Maga: Tactical Survival”, (as well as the previous book, “Krav Maga: Real World Solutions to Real World Violence”) offers a unique perspective on what real world violence looks like, and teaches the reader not only the physical skills to survive a violent encounter, but also how to predict, identify and prevent being involved in such an incident in the first place. Unlike most martial arts/self-defense books, the photos demonstrating the techniques, were shot in locations where such assaults happen e.g. bars/pubs, transit stops, etc. and were shot at full speed, rather than being "staged" as static shots. This approach gives the books an authenticity and relevance that is lacking in many others.

Gershon is currently a 5th degree black belt in Krav Maga, and his system (Krav Maga Yashir) draws on his training with a number of different Israeli organizations, his background in competitive Judo, work in the security industry, and a formal education in psychology.

Google Talk, 2015:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqGwseHHljo

Martial Thoughts Podcast, 2014:
http://thinkingmartial.blogspot.com/2014/12/45-ninja-stars-for-krav-maga-real-world.html

Whistlekick Martial Arts Radio, 2016:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX3mMUp6RBI

Gershon’s Weekly Blog:
www.kravmagablog.com

NPR Interview, 2013:
http://radioboston.legacy.wbur.org/2013/07/25/thoughts-from-a-self-defense-instructor

 

Amazon Links for PRE-ORDER:

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Krav-Maga-Tactical-Survival-Personal/dp/0804847657

 

https://www.amazon.com/Krav-Maga-Tactical-Survival-Personal/dp/0804847657

 

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10 – Karate and Self Defence by John Titchen

 

Karate and Self Defence - selected articles by John Titchen, with a foreword by Peter Consterdine and an introduction from Jay Cooper
 
This exciting and thought provoking new book is available worldwide on amazon (amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca, amazon.eu etc) and can be ordered for you by local bookstores and libraries  too. Kindle edition coming soon!
 
Amazon.co.uk https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1540603075/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481097263&sr=8-1&

 

Amazon.com  https://www.amazon.com/dp/1540763226/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1480959103&sr=8-9&

 

This book brings together over twenty carefully selected articles on the subjects of karate training and self defence written over a period of twelve years. Based on the study of the reactions of students to common forms of aggression and violence in high pressure scenario simulations, personal experience and the shared experiences of friends and professional colleagues, and years of research into violent crime, it examines subjects as diverse as knife defence training, the role of tradition in karate, building safe scenario training, personal kata training and ways to focus training towards self defence.
 
This is not a book written specifically for 'instructors', nor for 'students', rather it is designed to make the reader think about what they are training, how they are training it, and what they want to achieve from their training. The aim of the articles is to provide information suitable for everyone, regardless of style or grade.
 
"To say this book is a collection of articles written by John over a number of years is to do it an injustice. There are supposed, empirical works on Karate and self defence that are simply not in the same league as this work and most certainly not as thought provoking.
 
This is a book after my own heart and I thoroughly commend it to anyone who questions what their current karate training is geared towards, but also to those who don't need convincing about the efficacy of their karate in dealing with real life violence but need a plan to affect change. This book will answer both question and need."
 
Peter Consterdine

 

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11 – Karl Thornton 2017 USA / UK Controlling Distance Seminars

 

UK & US IN 2017 - CONTROLLING DISTANCE SEMINARS

We are looking to set dates and possible locations for seminars in the UK and US in late 2017.

Please let us know if your club or organisation is interested in a "Controlling Distance" seminar, so we can start to plan the locations as soon as possible.

Controlling Distance - UK & US TOUR 2017

Dates and locations not yet set. If you would like a "Controlling Distance" seminar at your club, organisation or location please let us know.

Duration of the seminar: 4 Hours

The Controlling Distance seminar looks at the process of dealing with anger, how through our own actions, or the intended outcome of the aggressor, anger can escalate to aggression and to violence.

Covering the psychological and physical applications of dealing with anger, aggression and violence. To better understand what is going on when we are faced with reality. What is normal and legal behaviour, and what is deemed illegal and unlawful behaviour. It focuses on how we control distance and control the process of anger and its escalation into aggressive and violent behaviours. How we can use assessment measures to try to de-escalate and negotiate. And where unavoidable how to deal with Active Threat Control.

Seminar Details:

Dates, times, locations and cost yet to be set.

The profits from these seminars help Karl continue his work in Anti-Human Trafficking.

Seminar based on the book "Controlling Distance".

To register your interest for a Controlling Distance seminar for your club or organisation contact us: http://mdta.com.au/gpcontact.html



Karl Thornton - MDTA Principal Instructor - Certifications & Qualifications

Australian Principal Instructor MDTA, 1st Dan Black Belt, Gan Gan Tao, 3rd Degree Black Belt MDTA, 3rd Dan Black Belt Diploma (IBF), Level 8 MDTA Instructor, Level 3 CSO Instructor, MDTA - Registered Combatives & Tactical Operations Instructor, Registered Instructor within the World Combat Association, Certificate II in Security Operations, Certificate III in Security Operations, Certificate III in Investigative Services, Diploma of Security & Risk Management, Certificate IV in Training & Assessment, Qualified Baton & Handcuffs, Qualified Firearms, Qualified Private Investigator, Certificate IV in Government (Investigation), Qualified Crisis Negotiator, Qualified Undercover Operations, Qualified Human Trafficking Investigation, Diploma of Professional Counselling, Certified Police Trainer (CNP).

LICENSES

Licensed Bodyguard, Licensed Security Trainer, Licensed Private Investigator, Licensed Firearms.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Member of the IBF (International Budo Federation), Member of the WCA (World Combat Association), Principal Representative of the World Combat Association, Associate Member of the IBA (International Bodyguard Association).

Former Member of The British Bodyguard Association

Former Member of ASIS International

Karl Thornton's professional CV

PRIVATE CONTRACTOR

Child Recovery Agent

Anti-Human Trafficking Operations

High Risk Environment Specialist

Karl was one of 538’s top EPS (Executive Protection Specialist) Operatives and specialises as a Primary Escort and Secure Transportation driver. Karl was assigned to protect some of Australia’s top CEO’s and Executives for some of Australia’s leading companies. As well as protection services for well known National and International individuals within the entertainment industry.

Karl is an active operative for MDTA Operations, (Formerly Silent Integrity Inc.)deployed to some of the worlds most high risk environments, conducting covert surveillance, intelligence gathering and rescue operations. As well as having worked with other anti trafficking organisations as part of a physical response team with the Royal Thai Police, Anti-Human Trafficking Division. Karl is one of the Head Instructors for the Police Tactical Operations Training for the Cambodian National Police (Anti-Human Trafficking, Juvenile Protection, and Criminal Investigation Departments).

Karl also currently instructs MDTA self defence systems to Law Enforcement, Security Professionals, Special Operations Personnel, Corporate Enterprises, Community Service Providers, and to the General Public.

Karl, is a Registered Instructor within the World Combat Association.

The WCA was founded by Peter Consterdine and Geoff Thompson of the UK’s British Combat Association (BCA); an organisation that changed the face of martial arts, not only domestically but in a wider international context.

Launched in 2008 by Peter Consterdine, with Geoff Thompson as Co-Chief Instructor, the WCA is the organisation for our international groups and their Instructors. The WCA was, very much, a product of demand. For many years, overseas interest in the British Combat Association could not really be satisfied by a domestic U.K. organisation, hence the formation of the World Combat Association where all the benefits of membership open to our BCA people are now available globally. Karl was appointed the First Australian Principal Representative for the WCA. Karl is the first Individual outside the UK that has been appointed such a position.

Karl is also the International Author of the Best Selling book. "Violence Evolving"

 

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12 – Heian/Pinan Focus Mitt Drills by Lee Taylor

 

DVD by Lee Taylor – ‘Heian/Pinan Focus Mitt Drills’

‘The drills outlined on this DVD are designed to enhance your skill and understanding of the Heian Kata series, bridging the gap between solo practise of the forms to your bunkai drills and ultimately leading to kata based sparring allowing you to develop impact of the kata techniques in a safe way.

You can train these drills immediately as they were designed not to be long and complicated, they are also a stand-alone system of drills as knowledge of the Heian Kata is not essential.

The primary objective of these drills is to reinforce the underlying principle of angles that appear in the kata ensuring the practitioner learns to move to the angle shown in relation to the pad holder.’
 

To order your copy message Lee direct: info@leetaylorkarate.co.uk

 

More info here: http://www.leetaylorkarate.co.uk/index.php?p=20

 

Watch YouTube Trailer: https://youtu.be/LY2y5zO_CTk
 

Cost £12.50 (contact Lee for shipping costs for your part of the world)

Running Time: 17 mins

All DVDs are region free and the correct format for your part of the world will be automatically dispatched.

“Modern training equipment allows us to train in ways the past masters could not. In particular, focus mitts allow us to hit at angles and with a level of realism that traditional striking tools such as the Makiwara can’t match. In this DVD, Lee Taylor shows a number of focus mitt drills that allow us to practise close-range realistic bunkai complete with impact. These cleverly designed drills correspond to each of the five Pinan / Heian kata and will develop tactical positioning (use of the angles in kata), limb-control (use of hiki-te, muchimi, etc) and impact.

"Combined with solo-kata, bunkai training and live practise, these pad drills “complete the circle” and show just how pragmatic the Pinan / Heian series can be. I’ve been asking Lee to make this DVD for a while because I know just how popular these innovative drills will be with students and instructors alike. The drills are explained in a very straightforward and easy to understand manner. They are great “plug and play” drills that are easy to adopt and will add value to your practise and teaching. Highly recommended!” – Iain Abernethy 6th Dan

 

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13 - 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

 

 

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