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1 – New Podcast! The Meaning of "Pinan"

A new podcast has now been added to the blog of www.iainabernethy.com! This podcast is entitled "The Meaning of Pinan" and it calls into question the accepted translation of "Pinan" as "Peaceful Mind". I'm currently preparing a book on the combative application of the Pinan (Heian) series and, as a result of some of the research for that book, I'm now convinced that the karate world has got the translation wrong and that this alternative translation has ramifications for how we should view those forms.

I believe that Anko Itosu (the creator of the Pinan Series) did not intend for these characters to be read as "Peaceful Mind" and that they do in fact have a name directly related to their purpose and combative function. The view expressed in this podcast runs contrary to the universally accepted meaning of "Pinan" and I am aware that this view is potentially controversial. To my knowledge, I am also the only person to who has suggested this alternative theory to the widely accepted "Peaceful Mind". However, by suggesting it, I hope that others will look at the evidence for themselves and come to their own conclusions. So what does "Pinan" mean? And why do I now doubt the accepted translation of "Peaceful Mind"? You'll have to listen to the podcast to find out!

If you follow the link below it will take you to the webpage where you can download the podcast or listen to it online:

http://blog.iainabernethy.com/?p=77

The podcasts are also available via I-Tunes. If you type in "Iain Abernethy" in the I-Tunes search it will take you to the page where you can subscribe to the podcasts. You can also subscribe to the RSS feeds via the blog (www.blog.iainabernethy.com)

I hope that you enjoy the podcast and, as always, any feedback will be gratefully received (iain@iainabernethy.com)

I-Tunes Page: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=254183101

Podcast RSS Feeds Page: http://blog.iainabernethy.com/?feed=rss2

2 – November 2007 Introductory Instructors Course Clarification

Further to the announcement in last month's newsletter, I have received a large number of emails asking for clarification on the requirements for the Introductory Instructor's Course on the 24th and 25th of November. Below you can find further clarification of the requirements and details of the course:

All participants must hold a dan grade: This is self-explanatory and those who do not currently hold a dan grade are not eligible to sit the course. 

All participants must be a certified instructor with their governing body: This requirement is to stop those who would set themselves up as instructors, without the necessary skills or experience, from attending the course. If you hold the position of an instructor within the group or association that you are a member of then you meet this requirement.

All participants must have teaching experience and be actively teaching others: This requirement is again in place to prevent those who do not have teaching experience from attending. The course covers how to teach the fundamentals of my approach to applied karate and kata bunkai: it does not cover basic teaching skills and as such these need to be addressed elsewhere. If you have been actively teaching for over a year or more then you meet this requirement. If you've been teaching for less than that, or if you have plenty of teaching experience, but are not currently teaching, please drop me a line (iain@iainabernethy.com) with the details and I'll get back to you.

All participants must be over 18 years: Self-explanatory and non-negotiable.

All participants must be in good health and have valid insurance: You must be physically able to safely participate in the course. If you are free of injury and health problems, and actively training, you will be fine. If you have any injuries or health issues, that does not automatically mean you cannot attend. Please drop me a line (iain@iainabernethy.com) with the details and I'll get back to you. Everyone who attends must have personal accident insurance and professional liability insurance. This should not be an issue as they are needed to practice and teach the martial arts.

All participants must have had sufficient exposure to Iain's methods (i.e. a regular at the seminars etc): I've received a number of emails from people who have never been to a seminar asking to do the instructor's course. These people have been told that they may not sit the course as I truly can't see how people expect to teach something they have no experience of. The course is designed to cover all the fundamentals of my approach, and assumes there will be gaps in your knowledge, so you need not worry if you don't already have a great understanding of it all (there would be no point in doing the course if you did!). However, participants should have previously studied the books and DVDs and have been to at least two seminars. Most people on the course, and those who emailed asking for further details, questioned if they had enough experience and I hope this clarification helps.

I hope the above clarifications help. Please let me know if you have any questions. Around half the places have already gone so if you wish to attend, please let me know ASAP. You can find further details and book your place by following the link below:

http://www.iainabernethy.com/acatalog/Introductory_Instructors_Course__24th___25th_Nov_.html

Details have also been copied below:

IAIN ABERNETHY INTRODUCTORY INSTRUCTORS COURSE

As a result of continual requests for training sessions for instructors who wish to integrate Iain's methods into their own teaching, a second Introductory Instructors Course has been organised for the 24th and 25th of November 2007.

The course will cover kata application, training drills, power generation, karate grappling, close-range striking, limb-control, kata-based sparring, karate in self-protection etc. The emphasis will be on integrating all aspects of Iain's approach into your training and teaching. The course will be a mixture of the theoretical and the practical.

The drivers behind the course are Iain's desire to ensure that those who want to adopt his methods into their teaching get the required support, and to increase the list of instructors Iain can recommend to people wanting a pragmatic and holistic approach to karate and related arts. The course will be certificated and all those who successfully complete the course will receive an Introductory Instructors Certificate from Iain.

The nature of the course means that numbers will be limited and therefore people are encouraged to book as quickly as possible.

To sit the course you need to meet the following criteria:

• All participants must hold a dan grade.

• All participants must be a certified instructor with their governing body

• All participants must have teaching experience and be actively teaching others

• All participants must be over 18 years

• All participants must be in good health and have valid insurance

• All participants must have had sufficient exposure to Iain's methods (i.e. a regular at the seminars etc)

By signing up for the course you are offering the assurance that you meet the above requirements. If you have any questions relating to your eligibility please don't hesitate to contact Iain at iain@iainabernethy.com

All participants will require the following equipment: gi, focus mitts, sparring gloves, bag gloves, note pad, pen, protective sparring equipment, water bottle and food.

The course will be held on the 24th and 25th of November 2007 at Trinity Leisure Centre, Strand Road, Carlisle, CA1 1JB (Right next to Trinity School) Tel: 01228403565. The training will be from 10am to 3pm both days. The cost for the whole seminar is £120. The full amount or a deposit of £60 secures your place (balance payable on the 24th of November). NOTE: Only 20 places are available for those not presently on the instructors program. Your £60 deposit guarantees your place and is therefore non-refundable.

You can book your place on-line by following the link below:

http://www.iainabernethy.com/acatalog/Introductory_Instructors_Course__24th___25th_Nov_.html

You can also pay by credit / debit card by calling 01900829406 (Overseas: +441900829406) or by Cheque (Payable to "NETH Publishing") at NETH Publishing, PO Box 38, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 0EX, United Kingdom.

If you should have any questions please don't hesitate to contact Iain at iain@iainabernethy.com or call 01900829406 (UK).

3 – FREE Applied Karate / Bunkai-Jutsu Gi Badges

Around three years ago we started making batches of free gi badges available to members of this newsletter. The last batch was done around a year ago and we recently took delivery of a new batch. Since the last newsletter we've sent out a great many badges ... but that's not a problem as this time I have the foresight to order plenty!

The idea is that the badge will help identify members to one another at seminars etc as well as showing your interest in pragmatic karate and kata bunkai. It's also a little gift from me to show my gratitude for all the support you've all shown me. If you visit the news-page of the website you'll be able to see the design: www.iainabernethy.com/news_page.asp

The badge is 3 inches square. Across the top in black it has the words, "Practical Kata-Based Karate". Underneath in large red letters is has "BUNKAI JUTSU". Below that are the Japanese Characters for "Kata Bunkai". And finally, at the bottom is the website address. You can obviously place the badge wherever you wish; however, the favoured place with me and the gents I train with is the left sleeve. The badges are high-quality and have an iron-on backing for those whose sewing skills are on par with my own.

The quickest way to get the badge will be to ask us to send you one when you place your next order (drop us an email with your order number). Alternatively, UK members can simply send a stamped addressed envelope to the address below (no SAE, no badge). Overseas members - who want a badge, but will not be placing an order in the near future – will need to contact their local postal service and ask about their country's equivalent of an "international reply coupon".

As I said, we only have a limited number of badges available so please act quickly if you want one. Send your Stamped Addressed Envelope to the address below:

Free Gi Badge

c/o NETH Publishing

PO Box 38

Cockermouth

Cumbria

CA13 0GS

UNITED KINGDOM

4 – Upcoming Iain Abernethy Seminars