Contents:

 

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1 - New Podcast: Martial Virtues and Warrior Ethics

In this new podcast we cover martial virtues and warrior ethics! The podcast begins by discussing character development in the martial arts and how that relates to effective combat skills. We then move on to cover martial virtues and warrior ethics as found in the writings of the past masters and others. We also look at the relationship between virtue and valour, and show how virtue is not passively adhering to a tick list of prohibited actions, but instead requires critical thought, bravery and positive action.

In particular we look at Sokon Matsumura’s “7 Virtues of Bu” (1882) and Nitobe Inazo's 1899 book on Bushido (the way of the warrior). We then discuss all eight of the virtues of Bushido in turn: Righteousness, Courage, Benevolence, Respect, Sincerity, Honour, Loyalty and Self-Control. As part of this discussion I draw on such diverse sources as Captain America, Nelson Mandela, Confucius, Sun Tzu, Rob Roy and Heraclitus!

We also discuss the value of virtue to the individual, the groups the individual belongs to, and wider society. From there, the podcasts also looks at how martial arts can, and don’t, develop character. We also discuss the need for effective introspection and I suggests the approach of Benjamin Franklin to virtue and introspection as being a logical one that is well suited to martial artists.

It’s a fairly long podcast – as the subject matter dictates – and there’s a lot of information within it. I hope you enjoy the podcast and find it of value!

Listen to the podcast on this webpage: http://iainabernethy.co.uk/content/martial-virtues-and-warrior-ethics

 

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

 

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2 - Four new bunkai videos since last update!

 

Since the last email update we have added four new videos to the website!

Passai / Bassai-Dai Flow Drill

This short video shows a bunkai flow drill for Passai / Bassai-Dai kata. The drill should be done on both sides and follows the order of the kata from beginning to end. The drill is part of a whole which also includes the practise of individual techniques, the practice of methods in alternative order, the practise of the techniques against impact equipment, the variation of the methods in line with the underlying principles, and the practise of techniques in live and semi-live drills. This complete flow drill, and ones like it, are therefore not some form of “ultimate bunkai”, but a minor part of wider training matrix.

This clip was filmed at an event in North Carolina in September 2014. The drill was taught over a full weekend and this very short “summary clip” should not be considered to be an instructional video. I nevertheless hope it is of interest to those not there. Thanks to Donnie Abel for his help demonstrating the drill!

http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/passai-bassai-dai-flow-drill-video


Seipai Arm Lock & Counter (as described by Kenwa Mabuni)

This very short video shows an arm-lock from Seipai, the counter to that arm-lock, and the counter to that counter, as described by Kenwa Mabuni in his 1934 book “Seipai no Kenkyu Goshin Jutsu Hiden Karate Kenpo”.

Mabuni shows the lock in the book (photograph included in this video), and describes how one could counter the lock by pushing the arm forward as you strike the back of the knee. He then states that if someone should counter the lock in that manner, then you can turn and strike the groin as per the kata (again, the original photograph is included in the video).

This clip is part of a recap of Seipai bunkai that we had been practising at an event in the Netherlands in September 2015. It’s therefore a little short on detail, but I nevertheless hope it is of interest.

http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/seipai-arm-lock-counter-described-kenwa-mabuni


Seipai End Sequance Bunkai

This video shows a bunkai drill for the final sequence of Seipai kata. It was filmed at an event in the Netherlands in September 2015.

In this bunkai drill, Seipai kata is firstly teaching us how to move the enemy’s limbs in order to initiate predictable motion and land strikes. Seipai then concludes with a rather brutal neck crank. Do not practise this technique unless you are under the supervision of a suitably qualified and experienced person.

The neck is twisted 180-degrees which causes the enemy to fall in such a way that their spine will hit your knee. One hand then locates the enemy’s jaw while another lands a hammer fist strike. If the neck crank fails to get the enemy to fall, the end movement – which is often overlooked – pulls the enemy backward such that the top of their head will hit the floor. Again, this is potentially very dangerous and needs to be practised with great care while under suitable supervision. All viewers are also encouraged to be aware of, and adhere to, all laws relating to self-defence in their locality. The technique is shown here for purely for information purposes so that the function of the kata can understood.

http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/seipai-end-sequance-bunkai-video


Padwork Drill With Karate Throws

This video shows a pad-work drill which includes two karate throws. The footage was filmed at a regular dojo session in September 2015. The drill begins with a long distance cross (gyakuzuki), the momentum of which takes the karateka forward into the throw that Gichin Funakoshi described as “Ude-Wa” (arm ring). The video includes a photo of Funakoshi doing the throw. The thinking is that the cross will cause the opponent to raise their arms which creates the opportunity for the throw.

For the sake of the drill, the pad-holder counters the ude-wa by pushing on the shoulders as they shoot their feet backward. If the person doing the drill has any back or shoulder injuries, the holder can tap the pads on the back as opposed to actually defending by pushing off. The person doing the drill then quickly shoots up and throws another cross and then a lead leg roundhouse. From there they drop forward and throw a lead hand hook. Lead leg roundhouse into lead hand hook is not a naturally flowing or easy to do combination; which is why we were practising it.

As the hook has finished, the person doing the drill immediately steps in with the back leg to perform an outside leg-scooping throw. This throw is found in the writings of Kenwa Mabuni (founder of Shito-Ryu) and it is also found in the Ohyo-Gumite (number 3) of Wado-Ryu karate.

The throw takes the pad holder over and the person doing the drill will then clear the top limb and hit the pad with the other hand (utilising the “husband and wife hands” concept found throughout the traditional kata). It does not matter which had hits and which hand clears so long as solid impact in made on the pad.

I would class this as a “fighting drill” as opposed to a self-defence drill, but there are definitely some components of the drill that can have use in self-protection.

I hope you like the drill and that is provides inspiration for you to create your own drills that utilise both the striking and throwing methods of traditional karate.

http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/padwork-drill-karate-throws-video
 

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3 - Upcoming Iain Abernethy Seminars (Germany, Denmark, Northern Ireland, USA, England, Scotland, 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 Chelmsford, Essex
Date: 11th of October 2015
For more details please follow this link: http://iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-chelmsford-essex-4

Seminar in Nuremburg, Germany
Date: 17th and 18th of October 2015
For more details please follow this link: http://iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-nuremberg

Seminar in Chesterfield
Date: 25th of October 2015
For more details please follow this link: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-chesterfield-0

 

Iain Abernethy and John Johnston Seminar 2015
Date: 31st of October 2015
For more details please follow this link: http://iainabernethy.co.uk/events/iain-abernethy-and-john-johnston-seminar-2015

Seminar in Swindon
Date: 1st of November 2015
For more details please follow this link: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-swindon-5

Seminar in Hinnerup, Denmark
Date: 7th and 8th of November 2015
For more details please follow this link: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-hinnerup-denmark

Seminar in Augsburg, Germany
Date: 14th and 15th of November 2015
For more details please follow this link: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-augsburg-germany-2

Seminar in Blairgowrie, Scotland
Date: 22nd of November 2015
For more details please follow this link: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-blairgowrie-scotland-1

Seminar in Ballymena, Northern Ireland
Date: 5th of December 2015
For more details please follow this link: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-ballymena-northern-ireland-0

 

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

 

 

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

For details of all seminars (including maps): http://iainabernethy.co.uk/seminar-dates 

 

 

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4 - New Article from Iain Abernethy

 

Here is an interesting section from Gichin Funakoshi’s Karate-Do: My Way of Life in which he describes his clandestine training with Anko Azato:

“I taught school during the day and then, as the ban against karate was still being enforced, I made my stealthy way in the dead of night, carrying a dim lantern when there was no moon, to the house of Master Azato. When, night after night, I would steal home just before daybreak, the neighbours took to conjecturing among themselves as to where I went and what I was doing. Some decided that the only possible answer to this curious enigma was a brothel.

“The truth of this matter was very different indeed. Night after night, often in the backyard of the Azato house as the master looked on, I would practice a kata time and again week after week, sometimes month after month, until I had mastered it to my teacher’s satisfaction. This constant repetition of a single kata was gruelling, often exasperating and on occasion humiliating. More than once I had to lick the dust on the floor of the dojo or in the Azato backyard. But practice was strict, and I was never permitted to learn another kata until I had satisfactorily understood the one I had been working on."

Many years ago, when I first read this, I was struck by the seeming sadism of Azato’s method of correction: “More than once I had to lick the dust on the floor of the dojo or in the Azato backyard.”

When I returned to it, I read it quite differently seeing it as being a turn for phrase (possibly a clumsily translated one?) akin to a skateboarder saying they “ate dirt” when they had fallen to the floor in a painful way.

We therefore have two ways of reading Funakoshi’s statement. We can read it literally such that Azato made Funakoshi lick the dirt from the floor for any error made in kata, or we can read it figuratively meaning that Funakoshi was unceremoniously dropped to the floor as a result of failing to understand the kata properly.

Funakoshi certainly does not give the impression that Azato was a cruel and sadistic teacher; quite the opposite: “It was my good fortune to be brought to [Azato’s] attention and eventually to receive my first instruction in karate at his remarkable hands.”

Throughout all of Funakoshi’s works he has nothing but praise for his teacher, both as a man and a martial artist. So it seems highly unlikely to me that Azato demanded Funakoshi get down on his hands and knees and lick the floor as a chastisement for errors made in the solo performance of kata!

It’s seems much more likely that it is indeed a turn of phrase, and that what Funakoshi is referring to is being unceremoniously slammed in to the dirt, or dumped onto the floor of Azato’s dojo. Immediately after his “eating dirt” statement, Funakoshi states, “I was never permitted to learn another kata until I had satisfactorily understood the one I had been working on.” This would infer that Funakoshi being dumped to the floor was a sign that the kata had not been fully understood. This would certainly be in line with Funakoshi’s views on kata stated elsewhere:

“Once a kata has been learned, it must be practised repeatedly until it can be applied in an emergency, for knowledge of just the sequence of a kata in karate is useless.” – Gichin Funakoshi, Karate-Do Kyohan

I therefore feel Funakoshi’s “eating dirt” comment is indicative of the idea that what shows true understanding of the kata is not the solo performance – which Funakoshi deemed as being useless when separated from function – but the ability to apply that kata ......

 

Read the full article via this link: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/article/geophagy-and-need-live-bunkai-practise

 

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5 - The Psychology of Winning: "Does Mind Matter?"

 

A number of studies have specifically focused on enhancing performance in the martial arts, as the martial arts are conducive to empirical study, given their nature and the reasons that individuals participate in the martial arts. Columbus and Rice (1998) examined written descriptions of reasons individuals participate in martial arts and found four themes: 1) criminal victimization; 2) growth and discovery including challenging self mentally, physically, or spiritually, and facing fears; 3) life transition and wanting to get life in control; and 4) task performance and seeing martial arts achievement as contributing to achieving in other life situations and tasks. Several of these themes involve a desire for life enhancement, likely due to the view of the martial arts as a way of life rather than simply a sport. Many of the mental skill strategies used in sports psychology have been found to be effective in achieving peak performance throughout life’s experiences (Orlick, 2000).
 

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1507558317/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_efIWvb1DJT3PG

 

 

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6- From Shotokan to the Street by Andi Kidd

 

This is not a ‘how to’ techniques book but more a look at how to structure your karate (or any martial art) training to be useful as a self-protection system. It is not enough to know physical technique or multiple kata, you need a much more in depth study of the subject matter. ‘From Shotokan to the Street’ points the reader towards all the skills that they need to move their art from classical to practical.

Praise for ‘From Shotokan to the Street’

“You have to understand that three important things come together in this book. The first is karate. I’m not qualified to talk about karate. My depth of true karate understanding is spit in the ocean. I’ve got nothing to write about that. The second is self-defense, or self-protection, and I’ve already written a lot about that. The third is some guy named Andi Kidd. Andi’s cool. What you have in your hands is an introductory textbook on self-protection from a karate perspective, written by a thoroughly good man who knows his stuff.”

Rory Miller – Author of Facing Violence

“Most people who study karate do so, at least in part, for self-protection purposes. The problem is that neither instructors nor students are generally aware of what self-protection actually requires. Because of this we frequently see art, sport and duelling skills mistakenly being taught as self-protection. All these things have their own inherent value, but the problem of self-protection needs its own specific solutions. In this book Andi makes clear what this solution is and how traditional karate can provide that solution.”

Iain Abernethy – Author of Bunkai Jutsu

“I would like to say how much I enjoyed reading this, it is well written, unpretentious and full of good, clearly explained information. What Andi has done here is take the reader into his personal journey in Karate and examined in some detail how the conflicting demands of dojo and street can be accommodated if you make the training flexible enough.

A book all should read regardless of the colour of your belt or whether or not you even have one.”

Garry Smith – Conflict Research Group International

Andi’s book is now available through

Lulu: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/fromshotokantothestreet

Amazon: www.amazon.co.uk/Shotokan-Street-Andi-Kidd/dp/1326297899/

or you can contact him directly through his website www.andikidd.com
 

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7 - Katapedia

 

What is Katapedia

Katapedia.org is a wiki site where information, theories and suppositions about kata generally and especially the fighting aspects of kata can be referenced and written collaboratively.

The software it uses is the same as Wikipedia (though there is no relationship to the Wikimedia Foundation), so any page or article can be edited, or created directly in place by anyone. All the changes are recorded in the page history which means that all edits can be reversed, fixed or improved later so there should be no fear of making edits and changes where you think a page is not accurate.

The why

There are many widespread myths, rumours and misconceptions about the nature and use of kata and the applications of kata. There are equally very informative sources which are little known and overlooked and indeed sometimes very difficult to find, particularly in the west. The site was created to bring many disparate sources of information which have been written or published about kata and kata applications to a point where it can be easily referenced.

The way

The aim of the site is to produce a gradually and continuously improving resource available to anyone with an interest in kata. Thereby promoting good information and gradually dispelling myths. It is likely to be of interest mostly to karate practitioners and other martial artists.

 

http://katapedia.org/wiki/About_Katapedia

 

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8 - Kesh and Kidd 2

 

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to Welwyn Garden City……

3rd October 12-4pm

Special BOGOF, yes, that’s right you can get two places on this course for the price of one! Only £25 and bring a friend for free!

In this not to be missed seminar, Andi and Rakesh will be focusing on key combative principles from kata and will develop your skills through progressive drills.

“I highly recommend Andi and Rakesh to anyone who wants to practice karate in a logical and opened minded way.” – Iain Abernethy

For tickets contact;

Kata Combat - www.rakesh-patel.com

Application Based Karate - www.andikidd.com

 

 

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9 - New Wado-Ryu Kata Bunkai Book

 

A new kata book, with introduction from Shinohara Y Shihan 8th Dan, covering applications to the Wado Ryu Pinan Kata series is now available from Amazon.com. Using over 375 photographs and instructive text, the book provides ‘ohyo’ applications to every technique in each of the five Pinan kata. Based firmly around Wadoryu principles and using a range of locks, throws and pressure-point techniques from Jujitsu and Aikijutsu the book illustrates a wide range of workable close-quarter defences and strategies.

Author, Jim Dart brings over 35 years’ experience in which he has achieved 5th Dan grades in Wado Ryu, Kempo Jujitsu, Combat Judo and Kano Ryu, to develop the book as the first in a series providing Wadoka with the essential close-up jujitsu skills and techniques necessary to provide greater insight and understanding of this uniquely Japanese style of karate.

Jim Dart is currently Chief Instructor of Kenshindoryu Nippon Budo Kyokai, a multi-art Japanese martial arts association formed in 1988 and providing instruction in Wadoryu Karate, Japanese Jujitsu Kempo, Traditional Judo and Toyamaryu/Nakamuraryu Iai and Battojutsu.

He has previously held positions as General Secretary of Wadokai England, including membership of the technical committee, Headmaster (England) of the International Society of Traditional Judo and is the current General Secretary of the International Gentle Arts Society.

 

www.amazon.co.uk/Wado-Ryu-Kata-Bunkai-Applications/dp/1514342405/

 

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10 - A Prison Officer's Advice for Dealing with Criminals

 

Officer Hayter is a prison officer in a certain prison in Texas. Here in this article he was asked how he recognises and prevents prisoners being able to manipulate him. His answers are very telling. Note in particular how he understands that most criminals try to take an inch in order to get a mile, and that it is so important to shut down manipulation early before it quickly becomes a much bigger problem. I believe his philosophy of nipping problems in the bud is just as applicable towards the office bully or the local bully as what it is to convicts:

It can be stressful to say the least. And depressing sometimes. That comes with the territory of being surrounded by the dregs of society 13 hours a day for 4 days at a time.

I think that's why we get so much time off!

It is the mental aspect of it. You have to be constantly wary of the mind games the convicts play on you. The deception and lies that you are exposed to are incredible.

It affects a lot of officers and I see a lot of them get pulled into the criminals’ traps and get fired and or arrested themselves.

I pray quite often for the Lord's protection! Without Him keeping my mind and heart in order, I would certainly fail.

By the grace of the Lord I'm able to just tell them no. They have learned that I'm not going to fall for their games so they don't try them on me as much as they used to. But they still do, especially the ones who haven't met me that come from a different unit or the other side of the building or something.

They are constantly "feeling you out" to see how far they can go, looking for any sign of weakness or compromise.

It's a mindset. Just learn how to say NO, be firm, fair, and consistent. And that is the key, consistency.

You just have to always remember that anyone who is a convict in prison is NOT your friend and that any "favor" they do for you, they will expect something in return. Always.

I don't use their first names or nicknames, that's a trap.

I won't even take a piece of gum from one if it's offered.

I don't allow them to call me nicknames either. I put a halt to it instantly when they try to call me crap like "Mr. H." or anything like that. I tell them, "You can call me Mr. Hayter, Officer Hayter, Bossman, Boss, there isn't going to be any "Mr. H" or any other nickname.”

I just try to keep everything on a professional level. Over familiarity is a bad thing, you can't keep control if you allow them to be too friendly, or if you get too friendly with them.

I see it all the time. Officers get to calling inmates by their nicknames, the inmates going getting drinks for the officers and doing little things for them. Then when it's time to switch positions, the inmate asks, "where you going to next, boss", and the officer says, "I'm going to 2 picket" or wherever he/she is going to for the second half of the day. Now the inmates know exactly who is in what position the rest of the day. That's not a good thing, especially when they know it in advance!

When they ask me where I'm going I say something like, "I'm getting away from here,” or “I'm going over there (without saying where over there is)" and I leave it at that.

We have a lot of weak, dirty officers and I suspect it's a problem at all prisons no matter where they are located.

It's better to avoid a fight if you can. Diffuse the situation if possible and then separate the aggressor from his supporters and he will be less likely to fight because he won't be losing face in front of his buddies.

A couple of times I've had tense situations with one in a dorm, with 50 to 100 other inmates right there. Anyone of them could have whipped my butt in short order. I looked the guy right in the eye and told him, "come on over here, I want to talk to you". That gave them an "out" so to speak, but it also removed them from the others and once they were not under the pressure to keep up the pretense of "toughguy" their whole attitude changed.

Almost all people can be reasoned with, if you see the signs of agitation and take steps to defuse them soon enough.

Take command of the situation and don't give in, but don't be a bully either. Finesse it and you will get farther almost every time.

Inmates are a lot like children, very childish in their actions and thinking. They want to be told what to do, and most will gripe, complain and drag their feet. But if you tell them what to do and don't back down, they will comply.

They want that limit, just like a child wants one. To be told exactly what to do and when to do it. Even though they will complain about it, just like kids do, but it's all an act.

A few years ago, middle of the summer, blazing hot, I was working on a wing in the main building. I was on 4th floor, which is open to the 3rd floor. 4 row has a narrow walk way along the cell fronts with a railing about mid torso high to keep you from falling down to 3 row floor. This convict was ready to fight and he was a real tough guy. He was taking too long to come out of his cell and I was about to slam the door shut. He bowed up and we were just about to get in a fist fight. I would have lost! I looked him right in the eye and told him, "Listen up, it's too damned hot for us to be fighting on this 4 row in this heat, now get back in your house or get out, one or the other". The guy looked at me and I could see his eyes change. He said, "I'm sorry, boss," and went back in his house. I breathed a sigh of relief as I walked off after shutting his door.
 

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11 - Hayley Pedley Nutritional Supplements Announcement

 

Details of supplements in PDF: http://iainabernethy.co.uk/sites/default/files/file_attach/docs/Hayley_Pedley_Supplements_Announcement.pdf

 

To find out more about these products contact: Hayley Pedley 07817 852282

 

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12 - African Training Camp 2016

 

In August 2016 we will be running an exclusive 7 day practical karate training camp in Uganda, Africa! Along with the training and comradery, we will also be taking a trip to the top of the breath-taking Murchison Falls, a boat trip on the Nile, and game drives in order to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, antelopes and possibly even lions and leopards in their natural environment!

Just 14 places are available so you need to act quickly if you wish to be part of this amazing opportunity!

The itinerary is as follows:

Day 1 (Aug. 5) - Arrive and stay in Entebbe.

Day 2 (Aug. 6) - Travel to Masindi. The morning and evening will give the group the opportunity to relax, and there will be plenty of time for van-mates to converse on the drive up to Masindi (roughly 5 hours from Entebbe).

Day 3 (Aug. 7) - Full day of practical karate training

Day 4 (Aug. 8) - Full day of practical karate training

Day 5 (Aug. 9) - One-half day of training (morning), Travel to Murchison Falls (roughly 2 hours from Masindi), Visit the top of the falls.

Day 6 (Aug. 10) - Morning game drive, Afternoon Nile boat trip, Evening game drive

Day 7 (Aug. 11) - Morning game drive, Travel to Entebbe to depart. Plane departure times need to be late in the day (post 8pm). It should take around 7-8 hours from Murchison to Entebbe, but travel can sometimes be an adventure in a developing country, so you want to budget in plenty of extra time.

While we are in Masindi (Days 2-4), we will be staying at either the Hotel Victory (http://www.hotelvictorybijja.com/) or the Kabalega Resort (http://www.kabalegaresort.com/)

Our main base in Murchison (Days 5 and 6) will be the Red Chilli Hideaway You can find out more via this link: http://redchillihideaway.com/hideaways/red-chilli-rest-camp-murchison/

This will be an amazing experience with the lucky 14 receiving an exclusive “Ugandan Tour T-shirt” and certification.

Eric Parsons and I are the organisers. Eric Parsons will be the main point of contact for those in the USA & Canada. I will be the main point of contact for others.

The cost will be $950 (US) for those in the USA / Canada (payable via Eric Parsons) and £700 for those elsewhere (payable via Iain Abernethy). The cost covers all room expenses (plus breakfasts), in-country travel expenses, park entrance fees, in-country activity costs (Nile boat ride, etc.), and training costs but does not include air travel to Uganda, visa and vaccination costs, and non-breakfast meals (and drinks). It is also based on double occupancy rooms. Single rooms and full board can be had for additional fees.

Interested parties should contact either Eric or Iain ASAP.

Eric Parsons: askmeaboutmybruises@gmail.com

Iain Abernethy: iain@iainabernethy.com

IMPORTANT : Paying the fee secures your place and is not refundable under any circumstances.

ALSO IMPORTANT : Do not book flights until your place has been confirmed by Eric or Iain and full payment has been made.

 

 

http://iainabernethy.co.uk/news/practical-karate-african-adventure-2016

 

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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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Do you want to Join Iain's international group? Find more information here: http://iainabernethy.co.uk/news/world-combat-assocation-live-video / http://worldcombatassociation.com

 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/iainabernethy

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/iainabernethy (@iainabernethy)

 

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That’s all folks! If you’ve any comments or suggestions relating to the website or these newsletters, please don’t hesitate to drop me a line: iain@iainabernethy.com

 

All the best,

 

Iain Abernethy

 

 

E-Mail: info@iainabernethy.com
Website: www.iainabernethy.com

 

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