1 - New Podcast:
The requirements
of a moral,
healthy and
effective
approach to
violence.
2 - Five New
Online Bunkai
Videos!
3 - Upcoming
Iain Abernethy
Seminars
4 - Group Bunkai
Analysis No. 1:
Opening sequence
of Saifa - The
Results!
5 - Volume Two
of the Pinan
Flow System by
John Titchen
6 - Lee Taylor’s
new book: Ananko
Kata Form &
Function
7 - Message from
Christian
Wedewardt
8 - Jeff Rossers
new book:
Combative Elbow
Strikes
9 - The World
Combat
Association
10 - 2,000,000
minutes watched
of Practical
Kata Bunkai
1 - New Podcast: The requirements of a moral, healthy and effective approach to violence
In
the final podcast of 2014 we discuss the requirements of a moral, healthy and
effective approach to violence. The mix of effective self-protection skills and
the development of character is the common goal of most martial arts. In this
episode I use the model of the three As (Appreciation, Ability and Attitude) to
ensure our approach to unprovoked criminal violence is both effective and in
keeping with the morality of the martial arts.
As part of this discussion we touch on many topics including: the two core goals
all martial arts should achieve; the nature and myths of violence; healthy
precautions vs. unhealthy paranoia; when using physical skills is appropriate;
the criminal attitude to violence (hate based) as opposed to the martial
artist’s attitude to violence (love based); what the past masters had to say on
the issue (Funakoshi, Mabuni, Motobu, Otsuka, Takamura, etc.); martial arts and
pacifism; and quite a bit more!
It’s impossible to cover all aspect of this issue in a thirty-minute podcast,
but I think the podcast does a good job of framing the issue and will hopefully
prompt further thought and discussion.
I hope you enjoy the podcast and I’ll be back more early in 2015!
Listen to the podcast on this webpage:http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/requirements-moral-healthy-and-effective-approach-violence-podcast
Listen to Iain Abernethy's Podcasts on Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/iain-abernethy-practical-application/id393104872#
2 - Five New
Online Bunkai
Videos!
Pinan / Heian
Godan Bunkai & Variation
This video
covers bunkai
for the juji-uke
sequence of
Pinan Godan /
Heian Godan, and
a variation on
that sequence.
It was filmed in
Denmark at a
seminar in
November 2014.
It is always
important to
remember that
every kata
motion is
essentially an
illustration of
principle. It is
not the
technique that
is the end
result; it the
integration of
the principles
encapsulated by
the bunkai of
the technique
that is of
greater
importance. That
way the
methodology of
the kata can be
applied in a
habitual /
intuitive way
regardless of
specific
circumstance.
An integral part
of the bunkai
process is
therefore
exploring
variations of
the kata /
bunkai sequence,
as shown in this
clip. I’m fond
of quoting the
following line
from the movie
‘Enter The
Dragon’ to
illustrate this
idea; “It is
like a finger
pointing to the
moon. Do not
concentrate on
the finger or
you will miss
all that
heavenly glory”.
Do not fixate on
the specific
example of
principle the
kata provides,
or you will miss
the principle
itself.
A lot to explain
in a short clip
and this
introduction!
The key message
for those new to
kata bunkai is
that variations
of technique (in
line with
underlying
principle) are
not heresy but a
core part of the
process.
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/pinan-heian-godan-bunkai-variation-video
Gojushiho Sho and Dai Bearhugs Escapes
This video looks
at some bear hug
escapes from
Gojushiho-Sho
and Gojushiho-Dai.
It is my view
that the two
kata often
complement each
other and in
this instance we
can see
complementary
examples of bear
hug escapes. The
kata is not
showing a sole
recommend way to
escape a grip
from the front,
but instead an
illustration of
the kind of
things that
should be
practised i.e.
an illustration
of concept.
Variations and
adapting to the
ever changing
dynamics of
self-defence
should be an
inherent part of
the process.
As with all
these short
videos, it needs
to be remembered
this is a
snipped of a
full weekend’s
training. It is
therefore not
possible to
encapsulate how
such things fit
in to the wider
methodology of
the kata and the
process of kata
bunkai
generally. Two
things are
important to
note however:
Firstly, there
are methods that
immediately
follow what is
shown in this
clip that follow
up if needed (by
attacking
vulnerable
areas).
Secondly, if we
are to make
these methods
work in
self-defence
then they need
to be practised
in live ways;
which ensure the
safety of all
participants.
The methods
shown in this
clip are
potentially
dangerous and
should only be
practised under
the close
supervision of a
suitably
qualified and
experienced
instructor.
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/gojushiho-sho-and-dai-bearhugs-escapes-video
Saifa Bunkai: Opening Sequence
In November 2014
we had an online
vote on which
kata sequence we
should
collectively
explore. Several
hundred people
voted and the
opening motion
of Saifa was the
winner.
There has been
loads of great
contributions
from people all
over the globe.
Here is our
offering.
Saifa is not a
kata my group
practises, but
today (22nd of
November 2014) I
took the
sequence to the
dojo and we
spent 10 minutes
at the end of
the class
collectively
exploring the
possible uses
for the motion.
These were our
favourite three.
We feel these
fit the kata
well and leave
no part of the
motion
unexplained.
Thanks Tim,
Fred, Darren,
Callum, Joe,
Charles,
Richard, and
Andrew for their
thoughts.
Here is the link
to the page
where you can
see all the
videos!
http://iainabernethy.co.uk/content/group-bunkai-analysis-no-1-opening-sequence-saifa
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/saifa-bunkai-opening-sequance-video
Pinan / Heian Godan Start and Various Follow-Ups
This video was
filmed when I
was teaching in
Norway in
November 2014.
It looks at
bunkai for the
first seven
movements of the
form, and
suggests some
alternative
follow-ups.
Following the
neck-crank, we
could elbow the
face (as
suggested by the
kata), we could
execute what
Gichin Funakoshi
called the Byobu
Daoshi throw –
more commonly
known as O-Soto-Gari
– and, away from
a self-defence
context, we
could even scoop
the lead leg.
The video shows
these three
options.
There are of
course many
other ways to
follow up and
everyone is
always
encouraged to
explore their
personal
preferences.
In 1908, Anko
Itosu – the
creator of the
Pinan / Heian
kata – wrote,
“Learn the
explanations of
every technique
well, and decide
when and in what
manner to apply
them when
needed.” So we
are encouraged
to learn the
bunkai, but
DECIDE how WE
would use that
bunkai. It is
therefore up to
the individual
karateka to draw
from the
collective
knowledge pool
to create a
personalised
method of
application that
is best suited
to the
individual.
Exploring
various finishes
– not just those
suggested by the
kata – is one
part of this
process.
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/pinan-heian-godan-start-and-various-follow-ups-video
Naihanchi /
Tekki Basic
Clinch Bunkai &
Drills
This video looks
at some aspects
of the clinch
bunkai of
Naihanchi /
Tekki. It was
filmed at a
three-day
seminar in North
Carolina in
December 2014.
As is always the
case with these
short videos, it
can’t possibly
capture the
whole
methodology and
needs to be
viewed on that
basis. The
seminar covered
many other
clinch
techniques and
related live
drills, of which
this clip was
part.
If you would
like to know
more about this
aspect of
Naihanchi /
Tekki Shodan
then I would
direct you
towards the DVD
“Beyond Bunkai”
which covers the
related
unscripted,
semi-live drills
for the kata.
It was a most
enjoyable
weekend and I
hope this little
extract is of
interest!
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/naihanchi-tekki-basic-clinch-bunkai-drills-video
3 - Upcoming
Iain Abernethy
Seminars
Below you can find details of the open seminars that are taking place in the next few months. Details of others will be added as soon as details have been finalised. 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 Oslo,
Norway
Date: 3rd and 4th of January 2015
For more details please follow this link:
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-oslo-norway
Seminar in Clarksville,
Tennessee, USA
Date: 16th to the 18th of January 2015
For more details please follow this link:
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-clarksville-tennessee-usa
Seminar in Cardiff
Date: Sunday 25th January 2015
For more details please follow this link:
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-cardiff
Seminar in Bristol
Date: 31st of January
Details will be confirmed soon
Seminar in Folkestone,
Kent
Date: Sunday the 1st of February 2015
For more details please follow this link:
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-folkestone-kent-0
Seminar in Achim, Germany
Date: 14th and 15th of February 2015
For more details please follow this link:
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-achim-germany
Seminar in the Netherlands
Date: 21st and 22nd of February 2015
For more details please follow this link: http://iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-netherlands-0
Seminar in Birmingham
Date: Sunday 22nd of March 2015
For more details please follow this link:
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-birmingham-0
Seminar in Presteigne, Powys
Date: Saturday the 28th of March 2015
For more details please follow this link:
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-presteigne-powys-2
Seminar in Wigan
Date: Sunday the 29th of March 2015
For more details please follow this link:
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-wigan-0
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
4 - Group Bunkai
Analysis No. 1:
Opening sequence
of Saifa - The
Results! (24
especially
filmed videos!)
Our first group
analysis of the
opening sequence
of Saifa has
been something
of a success! We
have had 24
videos
submitted, all
of which are
very good!
Please be sure
to visit the
website and
watch all the
videos!
http://iainabernethy.co.uk/content/group-bunkai-analysis-no-1-opening-sequence-saifa
5 - Volume Two of the Pinan Flow System by John Titchen
Message from
John Titchen:
I’m
extremely
excited to be
releasing Volume
Two of the Pinan
Flow System
outlining how I
use Pinan /
Heian Sandan. I
rate this kata
incredibly
highly and
believe it forms
an important
part in a
karateka’s
repertoire. I
hope that by
taking the time
to record my
drills in
pictures this
book will ‘open
it up’ to far
more people than
I could possibly
reach by
seminars and
classes alone.
I’ve recently
had two
experienced Dan
grades come to
join me for
‘extra’ karate
training in
addition to
their own
regular club
training, and if
their smiles and
laughter as the
kata has come
alive for them
in these drills
is any measure
then I know that
a lot of
students and
instructors will
benefit from
this book.
The book
predominantly
focuses on
utilising the
kata movements
to shift between
the different
positions that
can occur when
you are dealing
with an actively
resisting person
at close
quarters. The
drills show how
the techniques
of the kata can
be used (often
in sequence) to
navigate through
the failures and
redundancies
that naturally
occur in live
training. The
drills cover
responses to
HAOV (habitual
acts of
violence) like
grabs, punches,
tackles, leg
lifts, headlocks
and clinch like
positions, and
the kata comes
alive with
punches, open
handed strikes,
forearm strikes,
unbalancing
strategies, knee
strikes, arm
controls, holds
and throws. The
drills are
designed to work
alongside those
shown in Volume
One, but can
stand alone as a
key way of
improving your
repertoire.
In the foreword
Iain Abernethy
said that:
"Karate is
undergoing a
revolution. Not
a revolution
that uproots the
past, but
instead one that
returns to the
past to water
the roots of our
tradition so
that, after
decades of
stasis, it may
grow and
flourish. This
revolution is
seeing kata –
the very roots
of our art –
being returned
to its rightful
place at the
core of
practise. Not
because of
nostalgia, or
some unthinking
adherence to
“tradition”, but
because kata,
when approached
correctly,
works! There is
no doubt in my
mind that John
Titchen is one
of the leading
lights of this
modern
revolution
(re-evolution?).
In this book you
will get to see
John’s views on
the practical
applications of
Pinan Sandan.
And while that
alone is worth
the price of
admission, it is
John’s
underlying
thinking, as
laid out and
succinctly
expressed in
this book, that
really
impresses. This
book is not just
a collection of
bunkai (kata
application),
but the setting
out of an entire
philosophy of
kata.”
The book is
available on
amazon in print
and in ebook
form for kindle
readers and
apple ipads and
iphones.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pinan-Flow-System-application-beginner/dp/1503218902/
http://www.amazon.com/Pinan-Flow-System-application-beginner/dp/1503218902/
The second
edition of
Volume One of
the series,
covering Heian /
Pinan Shodan and
Nidan is also
available in
print and ebook
form.
6 - Lee Taylor’s
new book: Ananko
Kata Form &
Function
“Lee
understands the
way kata works
and in this book
he reveals how
Ananko contains
knowledge of
great value to
the modern day
martial artist.
Personally, I
don’t think it
matters if one
practises the
kata or not in
order to benefit
from reading
this book. Those
who practise the
kata will be
inspired and
delighted at the
information it
contains. Those
that don’t
practise Ananko
will find seeing
Lee’s approach
in action an
inspiration that
is sure to help
them explore
their own kata.”
- Iain Abernethy
“This book isn’t about the Ananko Kata. It isn’t even about the Bunkai of the Ananko Kata. It is more about a Martial Arts Instructor on his own personal journey. A journey that has required him to remove the blinkers of a single style and approach his art and training laterally, which is, I am certain, how our founding fathers of this beautiful world of Martial Arts intended us all to study and grow.” - Al Peasland
With over 300 detailed pictures Ananko Kata Form & Function shows how a kata can be deciphered, analysed, practised allowing it to become an effective tool for a physical confrontation.
This book not only crosses the boundaries of karate styles but also any martial art, allowing the practitioner with varying levels of ability to take what they need from it, use it for their own study, thus building a solid foundation from which to grow.
BUY HERE: http://www.lulu.com/shop/lee-taylor/ananko-kata-form-function/paperback/product-21882184.html
7 - Message from
Christian
Wedewardt
Message from
Christian
Wedewardt:
My name is
Christian
Wedewardt from
Germany. I was
born in 1974 and
have been
studying karate
since 1988. I’ve
accomplished 5th
Dan Degree in
2014 and started
a project,
called „karatepraxis.com“
in 2009. In the
beginning it was
just a local
project in the
midwestern part
of Germany.
Today it is well
known all over
Germany and
noticed in the
USA. The project
is about a
modern view of
our traditional
karate-do. With
all the
necessary
adjustments to
stand our ground
against the
modern
hybridsystems
like KRAV MAGA
or MMA, but
without loosing
our traditional
roots.
How can that
work?
By changing the
view on our
karate-elements.
In my opinion no
element (Kihon,
Kata, Kumite)
ends in itself.
They are methods
to develop
certain
abilities to
enable the
karate-student
to defend
himself in a
moment of
thread.
Therefore I use
Kata as
formulary for
defense
techniques and
tactics. Usually
my applications
are short and
catchy.
To transport the
message that a
lot
martial-arts-know-how
is included in
our system
karate, I’ve
created a series
of 5 Karate-Defense-Basic-Seminars.
3
Expert-Level-Seminars
and 2
Master-Level-Seminars
are coming up.
On my website
www.karatepraxis.com
are several
other modules
and methods to
find, which I
use in my
seminars and
trainings.
Why am I doing
that?
Because the most
popular Defense-Systems
these days, are
in large parts
based on karate.
So, we as
karate-students
and –teachers
are representing
an original and
tradition
martial-art.
Karate should be
again recognized
at least as a
good choice for
all the
interested ones.
8 - Jeff Rossers
new book:
Combative Elbow
Strikes
Combative
Elbow Strikes: A
Guide to
Strikes, Blocks,
Locks, and Take
Downs is an
in-depth
analysis of the
practical
applications for
five of the most
common elbow
strikes found in
Karate and
Taekwondo. While
conventional
wisdom holds
that an elbow
strike is simply
a technique used
for close-range
striking, I
believe that the
movements used
in executing
these elbow
strikes are
highly versatile
and applicable
to a wide range
of situations.
In this book, I
demonstrate how
a technique as
simple and as
crude as an
elbow strike can
be used for
executing
blocks, joint
locks, throws,
take downs,
chokes, pins,
traps, releases,
and ground
fighting in
addition to
striking.
Containing over
250 photographs,
this book
presents more
than 50
applications for
just five elbow
strikes, while
also including
instructions on
how to generate
power and
execute the
elbow strikes in
an efficient and
effective
manner.
On sale now from
Turtle Press.
Available
through Barnes
and Noble,
Amazon.com,
Google Play,
iTunes, and all
major book
retailers.
Follow the link
for some videos
where I
demonstrate
applications
from the book
using the
upward,
downward,
outward, and
round elbow
strikes.
http://iainabernethy.co.uk/content/jeff-w-rossers-new-book-combative-elbow-strikes
Jeff W. Rosser is a teacher, martial arts instructor, and writer currently residing in South Korea. He is a former AAU U.S.A. National Karate Team member and has competed internationally in Karate and Taekwondo, medaling in Taekwondo. He began training in Shorin-Ryu Karate in 1991 and now has over twenty-three years of experience in the martial arts. In addition to Shorin-Ryu Karate, he has also trained in Kukki Taekwondo, Shuri-Te Ju-Jutsu, Judo, American Open Karate, and wrestling. Jeff is a columnist for Taekwondo Times Magazine, writing "The Hidden Art," and a monthly contributor to Totally Taekwondo Magazine. Contact info: www.mawriter.webs.com (website)
9 - 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
10 - 2,000,000
minutes watched
of Practical
Kata Bunkai
The YouTube channel is fast approaching the 2,000,000 minutes watched mark! Thanks to all for putting in the hours! https://www.youtube.com/user/practicalkatabunkai