Subject: New Podcast and Videos!
New Podcast and Four New Online Videos!
"In Defence of Combat Sports"
Hi
All! Welcome to the latest newsletter! Lots to tell you about so I’ll get
straight to it! The first thing to remind everyone about is “Practical Karate
Weekly”. It’s out every Wednesday and collects all the articles, web links and
videos put out that week by selected pragmatic karateka and reality based
self-protection practitioners. You can subscribe and read this week’s issue via
this link:
http://paper.li/iainabernethy/1376566131
Regular visitors to my website will also know it’s had a big update recently! We
noticed that most people were now viewing the website on smart phones, tablets,
etc so we updated the site to make it responsive (i.e. it will automatically
optimise how it is presented). We hope you like the updates and that the website
continues to be a useful resource for you all.
We’ve also recently added a new podcast (“In Defence of Combat Sports”) and four
new online bunkai videos! You can find the details in the contents list below.
This newsletter also contains information on a number of new books and events
that we sure will be of interest.
The final thing to mention in this introduction is that later this year I’m
running my first UK instructor course for five years! There is a few places
left, so please act quickly if this is of interest.
Thanks for subscribing and your continued support! Very much appreciated!
All the best,
Iain
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"Once you've wrestled, everything else in life is easy." - Dan Gable
Contents:
1 - New Podcast: In Defence of Combat Sports!
2 - Iain interviewed by Chicago TaiChi (video)
3 - Four New Online Bunkai Videos!
4 - The 1st Introductory Instructors course in 5 years!
5 - New Article! Pressure Points: A Sceptical Examination
6 - Upcoming Iain Abernethy Seminars (UK, USA, Germany)
7 - Iain Abernethy Instructors Course in Germany
8 - Iain Abernethy 2015 Calendar filling up fast!
9 - Bunkai Bash 2 (27th to 29th of June)
10 -Karate Clubs, social media and the internet:
Using the web to grow your club without spending a fortune
11 - “Pinan Flow System: karate kata application for beginner to black belt” By
John Titchen
12 - A letter I wanted to share from Christopher M. Clarke (author of a must
have bunkai book !):
13 - Self-defence & Soul-defence course (June UK)
1 - New Podcast: In Defence of Combat Sports!
One
of the never-ending controversies in martial arts is the role and influence of
the combat sports. Some are ardent supporters and some see the sporting side of
the martial arts as a heresy that should be challenged and slighted at every
opportunity.
Those who would class themselves as “traditional martial artists” often see the
modern sporting offspring of the traditional arts as an aberration that is a
betrayal of the values, objectives and ethos of their non-sporting forerunners.
Those who concentrate on civilian self-protection are also often quick to slight
combat sports for their limitations, rules and lack of “realism”.
So in this podcast I’m going to come out in defence of sport against the
traditional and reality based neigh-sayers. The reason I feel the need to do
that is that our combat athletes are normally incredibly bad at doing this! The
arguments put forward in defence of sport to the traditional and reality based
communities are normally very poor. They are frequently logically unsound and
actually bolster the arguments made against sport.
I hope you enjoy the podcast and I’ll be back with more soon!
Listen to the podcast on this webpage: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/defence-combat-sports-podcast
Listen to Iain Abernethy's Podcasts on Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/iain-abernethy-practical-application/id393104872#
2 - Iain interviewed by Chicago
TaiChi (video)
There’s a new 25 minute video interview with myself on the Chicago Taichi website! In the interview I discuss my transition to being a full-time, professional martial artist, my books, what is “practical karate” and why I emphasise that aspect, the difference between sport and self-defence, the common combative principles across the martial arts, and training considerations for the older martial artist. We hope you enjoy it!
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/news/iain-interviewed-chicago-taichi-video
3 - Four New Online Bunkai Videos!
Advanced Kushanku / Kanku-Dai Drill
This video was filmed at a three day seminar in Chicago, USA in May 2014. This
short clip is a summary of a flow drill that covers, in order, the bunkai of
Kushanku / Kanku-Dai from the opening to the drop to the floor. This drill can
be easily adapted to fit all styles, but the version shown is in keeping with
the Shotokan version because the vast majority of attendees had a Shotokan base.
This clip obviously can’t capture the full explanation, all the details, and the
wider context of all that was taught over the three days. This should therefore
not be mistaken for an “instructional clip”. The only way to fully understand
and to get to grips with this drill would be to attend a seminar and learn it
directly. We nevertheless hope you find it interesting and that it provides an
“aide-mémoire” for those that attended the seminar.
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/advanced-kushanku-kanku-dai-drill-video
Flow drill
for the first quarter of Kanku-Dai / Kushanku / Kosokun
This 25 minute video was filmed at a closed residential course in April 2014. In
the film, I instruct the group in a flow drill for the first quarter of the
Kanku-Dai / Kushanku / Kosokun. It is my view that the first quarter of the kata
instructs the karateka in the basics of limb control and manipulation so that
the karateka has the skills to employ the methods found later in the kata. This
drill is a time efficient way to practise those skills.
In the video I also discuss the problems with flow drills as a training method,
why they need to be used sparingly, why flow is not desirable in real
situations, and why I define flow as “the management of failure”.
As with all videos of this nature, it can’t encapsulate the entirety of a
method. This drill needs to be understood as but one part of a wider training
methodology, and it should not be mistaken for the totality of that methodology.
The kata is a repository of knowledge and a supplementary form of solo-practise.
The flow drill is a time efficient way to practise the core concepts with a
partner. What is not shown in the drill is the exploration and application of
the underlying combative concepts manifested in the kata and drill. The video
does also not show the vital practise of applying the methods and principles in
non-compliant scenarios (what I term as “kata-based-sparring”).
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/flow-drill-first-quarter-kanku-dai-kushanku-kosokun-video
4 bunkai
based finishes from behind the enemy
In this video I show four bunkai based finishes from behind the enemy. This was
filmed in the dojo in March 2014. The main theme of the whole training session
was gripping drills; so this was a way to get the students to repeatedly
practise the same initial pass. The changing finishes give the illusion of
something new and hence prevent the boredom of lots of repetition (“repetition
by stealth”). The end motions are worth practising themselves of course!
The first finish is a simple takedown from Pinan Shodan (Heian Nidan). The
movement to the rear in the kata does not mean you are being attacked from that
direction, but that you need to be in that position relative to the enemy when
executing the technique. The “block” is a shoulder grab, and the front kick to
the back of the enemy’s knee will take them over. In Shotokan, the grip is taken
with a straight arm and a side kick is used. Both variations work well.
The second finish is a throw found in Gichin Funakoshi’s book “Karate-Do Kyohan”.
The throw is called “Kubi-Wa” (Neck Ring). While Funakoshi does not connect the
throw to any specific kata, the motion is almost identical to what we see in
Kushanku / Kanku-Dai.
The third finish is a one-armed strangle. I don’t see this technique existing in
any of the kata I practise, but it’s an interesting technique and one that is
part of karate as we practise it. It’s also worth remembering that no one would
dispute that a roundhouse kick is a karate technique; despite the fact it is
none of the traditional kata. It is a good technique that has been appropriated
into karate at a later date than the creation of that kata. I see no reason why
this process should stop. Indeed, I would say it is essential if karate is not
to stagnate.
The final finish uses the opening motion of many versions of Naihanchi. While
often ascribed no combative purpose, I see the motion as being a clinch and
escape (see the “Beyond Bunkai” DVD for more details). It is also possible to
apply the same technique form the rear in order to take the enemy over. As
explained in the clip, if performed exactly as in the kata, uke will have a very
awkward landing and therefore the motion needs to be modified.
One final thing to note is that our dojo has a high ceiling and quite an echo.
The pocket camera we used struggles with this at times; especially when I’m
turned away from the camera. Even though my instruction may not always be
clearly audible, you should be able to follow what is happening easily enough.
For the DVDs and downloads we use a professional camera crew and professional
sound equipment … but this clip is free and you get what you pay for :-)
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/4-bunkai-based-finishes-behind-enemy-video
Posture and Ikken Hissatsu
This short video was filmed at a seminar on the 15th of March 2014. One of the
topics I taught at the event was drills for hook punch. This snippet looks at
some general thoughts on posture and Ikken Hissatsu (one blow, one “kill”).
There are quite a few misunderstandings around the Ikken Hissatsu concept. One
of the most common is that “one blow” infers we only hit once. In truth, the
concept is that we have full intent to finish the situation in any given
instant.
The second common misunderstanding is taking the word “kill” literarily! The
ethics of karate – and common sense – state that we will only resort to having
to use physical techniques if we are in danger and no other option is open to
us. The ethics of karate – and in all likelihood the law of your locality –
demand that we only do what is necessary in the circumstances to ensure our
safety. The Ikken Hissatsu concept is about bringing the situation to an end
immediately such that the enemy is unable to harm us and the amount of violence
is minimal. Immediate effective escape, immediate effective disorientation, and
immediate effective incapacitation are all ways to bring a situation to a close,
and all would be in line with the Ikken Hissatsu concept as applied to modern
self-defense. Exactly what is done depends on the specific situation at hand;
but true self-defense must always be effective and legally justifiable.
The video also discusses how bad posture can reduce power and the rate of fire
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/posture-and-ikken-hissatsu-video
4 - The 1st Introductory Instructors course in 5 years!
It’s
been five years since the last one, but it is now possible to book your place on
the 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 the first Introductory
Instructors Course took place in 2006. Courses were also held in 2007 and 2009.
This is therefore a rare opportunity for those who want to gain instructor
recognition with Iain.
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 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. Those who successfully complete the
Introductory Level can also work to progress to Full Instructor if they wish.
The nature of the course means that numbers will be limited and therefore people
are encouraged to book as quickly as possible. Only 18 places are available in
total!
To be eligible for the course you must meet the following criteria:
All participants must hold a dan grade.
All participants must be a certified instructor with their association /
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 previous exposure to Iain’s methods,
have attended his seminars, and have a grasp of the methodology of Iain’s
approach.
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 30th and 31st of August 2014 at Eaglesfield
Paddle C Of E Primary School, Eaglesfield, Cumbria CA13 0QY. The training will
be from 10am to 4pm both days. A written exam will also be undertaken by all
participants.
The cost for the whole seminar is £295. Payment of the full amount secures your
place. IMPORTANT: Places for this event are limited and in high demand. DO NOT
BOOK UNLESS YOU ARE SURE YOU CAN ATTEND. Places are not transferable and every
place booked prevents others from going. Attendees must book on the complete
understanding that no refunds can be given for non-attendance under any
circumstances.
Please contact us via 01900829406 (Overseas: +441900829406) or by email at
iain@iainabernethy.com for details
of how to book your place.
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/news/1st-introductory-instructors-course-5-years
5 - New Article! Pressure Points: A Sceptical Examination
In
this article I want to discuss the always controversial subject of pressure
points. Before we go any further, I should make it clear that my articles are
always 100% focused on my personal views. It would make little sense for me to
try to explain the views of others (I’ll leave that up to them) or to
arbitrarily give “the other side of the story”.
I have to assume that as a reader of this article you are interested in my views. You may not agree with them, but you still have an interest in hearing what I have to say. So that’s what I always aim to give: an honest presentation of what I think and why I think it. If I disagree with something, then I will say so. I’m not going to be dishonest or misrepresent my views in an attempt to remain “balanced”.
I will give you the truth of the matter as I perceive it. If you want an alternative view – which is always a good thing – then seek that from an alternative source. It’s up to me to argue my point, and those who disagree to argue theirs. There is no obligation on me to give a platform to views I disagree with and regard to be foolhardy and dangerous.
All that said, everything I do should be approached with a critical mind. If people disagree with everything I say, then perhaps I’m failing to clearly communicate my position, or maybe the reader is being dogmatic? However, if the reader agrees with everything I say, then maybe they are not being critical enough with their own thinking? As General Patton said, “If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking.”
I’ve looked at the information for myself and from there formed the views I hold. We all need to do the same and accept that disagreement and dissent is healthy.
I state my case in the hope that others find it useful to them. I don’t demand that people think the same as me. I’d therefore expect others to afford me the same courtesy.
So with all of that out of the way, let’s get into the meat of the discussion on pressure points.
The first thing that often jumps into people’s minds when they think of pressure points is the martial use of the acupuncture points. Acupuncture, as I’m sure you know, is the insertion of needles in specific points along the meridians, along which the “chi” or life force of the human body is said to flow ...
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/article/pressure-points-sceptical-examination
6 - Upcoming Iain Abernethy Seminars (UK, USA, Germany)
Below you can find details of the open seminars that are taking place over 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.
Stuttgart - 17th and 18th of May 2014
NOW FULLY BOOKED
Details in German
6. Stuttgarter Bunkai- & SV-Tage am Samstag 17.05.2014 und Sonntag 18.05.2014
mit Iain Abernethy, 6. Dan Karate, Chief Instructor der World Combat Association
Lehrgangsort: Sporthalle Allmandring, Allmandring 28, 70569 Stuttgart-Vaihingen
(Uni-Campus)
Lehrgangsinhalt: Bunkai der Kata Bassai-Dai / Passai inkl. Flow-Drills aus der
Kata, sowie Pratzentraining (Bitte Pratzen mitbringen!)
Trainingszeiten
Samstag: 10:00 – 12:00 Uhr, 13:00 – 14:45 Uhr, 15:15 – 17:00 Uhr
Sonntag: 9.00 – 10.30 Uhr, 11.00 – 12:30 Uhr
Vollständiges Bunkai der Kata
Pratzentraining und -drills (Bitte Pratzen mitbringen!)
Lehrgangsgebühr: 50 Euro für beide Tage (35 Euro nur Samstag, 20 Euro nur
Sonntag). Die Teilnehmerzahl ist begrenzt, eine Anmeldung wird empfohlen!
Anmeldung / Info: Nicolas Hofele,
nicolas.hofele@ukd-stuttgart.de
http://www.ukd-stuttgart.de
Eine
Teilnahme ist ab 18 Jahren möglich. Lehrgangssprache ist Englisch.
Bewirtung: Für das leibliche Wohl ist gesorgt.
Veranstalter: Uni Karate Dojo Stuttgart e.V.,
http://www.ukd-stuttgart.de
Haftung: Veranstalter und Ausrichter übernehmen keine Haftung.
Details in English
Saturday 17.05.2014 and Sunday 18.05.2014 with
Iain Abernethy, 6. Dan Karate, Chief Instructor der World Combat Association
Place of seminar: Sporthalle Allmandring, Allmandring 28, 70569 Stuttgart-Vaihingen
(Uni-Campus)
Subject: Bunkai of the kata Bassai-Dai / Passai plus flow drills from the kata,
also pad work (Please bring pads with you!)
Timetable
Saturday: 10:00 – 12:00 h, 13:00 – 14:45 h, 15:15 – 17:00 h
Sunday: 9.00 – 10.30 h, 11.00 – 12:30 h
Complete Bunkai of the kata. Padwork training and -drills (Please bring pads
with you!)
Fee: 50 Euro for both days (35 Euro saturday only, 20 Euro Sunday only). The
number of participants is limited. It is recommended to register!
Registration: Nicolas Hofele,
nicolas.hofele@ukd-stuttgart.de
http://www.ukd-stuttgart.de
Participation is possible from 18 years or older. The seminar will be in
englisch language.
Catering: Catering will be available.
Organization: Uni Karate Dojo Stuttgart e.V.,
http://www.ukd-stuttgart.de
Liability: There will be no liability at all.
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-stuttgart
Iain Abernethy and Don Came
seminar - 25th of May 2014
On the 25th of May I will be teaching a joint seminar with Don Came! The seminar
will run from 11am to 3pm and will be held in the Cavendish Sports Centre, Eldon
Road, Eastbourne, BN21 1UE.
The seminar will cover developing the flinch to trigger action rather than
reaction, how to make the transition from a training drill to an effective
strategy for personal protection, creating and maintaining advantage, and
locking and counter-locking drills.
The seminar will cost £40 per person and cheques – made payable to “The Karate
Academy” should be sent to The Karate Academy, Unit 2, 4-10 Cornfield Lane,
Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 4NE. Places are limited and all places need to be
pre-booked. No provision will be made for those who turn up on the day without
pre-booking.
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/iain-abernethy-and-don-came-seminar
Birmingham - 1st of June 2014
On the 1st of June 2014 I will be teaching a seminar on the drills and
applications of Pinan / Heian Sandan and Kanku-Dai / Kushanku! The seminar will
run from 11am to 3pm and will cost just £25 / person. The location is Stechford
Cascades, Station Road, Stechford, Birmingham, B33 8QN (Leisure centre phone
number: 0121464 5596). To secure your place please send a cheque for £25 (made
payable to “Kenshin-SKC”) to Franklyn Doras, 22 Enville Close, Marston Green,
B37 7GQ. You can also download a booking form from this website: http://www.learn-karate.co.uk/information/downloads/
You can also contact the host via phone and email: 07966372842 /
kenshin-skc@hotmail.co.uk I look
forward to seeing you there!
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-birmingham
Montrose, Scotland - 22nd of June
2014
On the 22nd of June I will be teaching an open seminar in Montrose, Scotland.
The seminar will run from 12:30 to 4:30pm and take place in Montrose Sport
Centre, Marine Avenue, DD10 8TR. The cost will be £25 per person. Please contact
Alan Dye for more details and to confirm places via
montrose.shotokan@hotmail.co.uk
or 01674 677359. The cost is payable on the day but please contact Alan to
confirm places before the event.
www.montroseshotokan.co.uk
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-montrose-scotland-2
Kansas, USA - 27th to the 29th of June 2014
From Friday the 27th of June to Sunday the 29th of June I will be teaching in
Kansas in the USA! The sessions will cover a host of kata applications, bunkai
principles and related self-defence methodologies. All the sessions will take
place at Sagasu Family Martial Arts, 725 N 7th Street, Leavenworth, KS, 66048.
The phone number for the venue is 913-297-0900. The timing of the sessions if
Friday 6pm to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm and Sunday 9am to 1pm. All three sessions
are just $120 (Friday session only $30). There is also a $20 late fee for all
bookings made after the 14th of June. Be sure to act quickly! Questions should
be directed to Ken Baker on either 913-651-5018 or
kbaker@kc.rr.com For more information and
for booking forms, please download the booking form via the link below:
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-kansas-usa-1
Worcestershire - 27th of July
2014
On the 27th of July I will be teaching as part of the 2014 Dragon Tree Martial
Arts Summer Camp! I will be teaching for four hours, with highly recommended
guest instructors teaching the remaining time. The cost is just £35. The
location is The Dome, Imperial Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3AP. It will
be a great day so please book quickly!
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-worcestershire-dragon-tree-summer-camp
Farnborough, Hants - 28th
September 2014
On Sunday 28th September 2014 I will be teaching an open seminar on kata bunkai
/ practical karate in Farnborough! The course will run from 11am to 3pm and
costs £30 per person. The venue is Wavell School Dance Studio, Farnborough,
Hants, GU14 6BH. 18 years and above only. For more details and to book your
places please contact one of the organisers:
Dave Gisby – Daytime: 07717731204 / Evening: 01256 356306 Email:
rskckarate@hotmail.co.uk
Rob Bunting – 07966403364 Email:
info@cheltenhamkarate.co.uk
Steve Bailes – 07947704658 Email:
bvsk@hotmail.co.uk
Shotokan Karate Friendship Alliance Website:
http://www.skfa.info/
PLEASE BOOK EARLY TO ENSURE YOUR PLACE!
http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-farnborough-hants
To organise a seminar for your club, write to seminars@iainabernethy.com or call 01900829406.
For details of all seminars (including maps): http://iainabernethy.co.uk/seminar-dates
7 - Iain Abernethy Instructors Course in Germany
Can everyone based in Germany and nearby countries who is interested in doing my introductory instructors course please drop me an email at iain@iainabernethy.com There are a number of people in Germany and surrounding countries who are very familiar with my methods so it makes sense to organise a course on German soil. I will make a list of interested parties and work from there. The course will be held in the Stuttgart area on the 29th to the 31st of May 2015. This course is aimed at existing black belts who are regulars at my seminars in Germany. Please let me know if you have any questions. Speak soon!
8 - Iain Abernethy 2015 Calendar filling up fast!
This is
just a little heads up for any group wishing to invite me to their dojo in 2015.
The year is filling up fast and already dates are limited. I hate to disappoint anyone. If you are therefore wishing to arrange a
seminar in 2015 it would be prudent to contact me sooner rather than later.
9 - Bunkai Bash 2 (27th to 29th of June)
Sadly
I can’t make this year’s event (last year’s was a blast!) but I’m sure it will
again be a great weekend! Details from the host below:
Just when you thought it was safe to go back into a field………
Bunkai Bash - 2
Let me invite you to Bunkai Bash - 2! This event is open to all bunkai
enthusiasts who want training from some of the country’s leading bunkai
instructors including, Andi Kidd, Rakesh Patel and many more!
From Friday Evening the 27th June till Sunday afternoon June 29th you will be
treated to a bunkai spectacular at the Blackland Lakes campsite. We will have
our own area of campsite for you to pitch your tent and then train for over 15
hours throughout the weekend.
With an indoor alternative venue in case of bad weather, nothing should spoil an
excellent weekend of top quality instruction. If you want to bring some family
the site has activities and there are lots of nearby attractions.
http://www.blacklandlakes.co.uk/
The whole weekend’s training is only £60.00 and includes
Over 15 hours of quality Instruction
9 Fantastic Instructors
2 nights camping fees
Commemorative T Shirt
Certificate signed by all instructors
BBQ facilities provided for Saturday night (bring your own food)
Free scrapes and bruises!
If you want to bring other members of your family they will cost £10 each with
no t-shirt, certificate or bruising!
This year we will have three new things!
· For those who thought the pace was a little relentless last year, we will be
having a couple of lectures. If you don’t want to stop that physical work, we
will have alternative sessions available.
· Is there a bit of kata or bunkai that just confuses you? You want to see what
the Bunkai Bash instructors can come up with? We will be having a Q&A session
over the weekend, when booking let us know what it is you are confused about and
we will give you some ideas!
· Open Mike. Any bit of bunkai or a quick drill you want to show others? We will
be having a session where you can show it off! Please ask about this when
booking and we’ll see how many we can fit in!
If you want to improve your bunkai knowledge and attend the most concentrated
amalgamation of top quality bunkai instruction then please email Andi Kidd at
andi@genjitsu.co.uk as soon as
possible.
Places are limited and must be paid for in advance.
Andi
www.genjitsu.co.uk
https://sites.google.com/site/thebunkaibash/
07818 417 181
10
-Karate Clubs, social media and the internet: Using the web to grow your club
without spending a fortune
Message
from Steve Howlett:
A new ebook available on Amazon talks about karate clubs getting the most out of
their internet activity or setting themselves up on the web.
Aimed at those with little or no real experience the book covers such basics as:
How to ensure people find your club
The problem with most club websites
Why and how to use social media effectively
Step by step guide to advertising on Facebook
and much much more.......
If
you're looking to share your art with new people this may just provide you with
the students you've been looking for!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Karate-Clubs-social-media-internet-ebook/dp/B00ILDR9VG/
http://www.amazon.com/Karate-Clubs-social-media-internet-ebook/dp/B00ILDR9VG/
11 - “Pinan Flow System: karate
kata application for beginner to black belt” By John Titchen
INFO:
Packed with information this book, the first in a four volume series, examines
the first two Pinan / Heian kata. With practical application drills based on the
study of the reactions of students to common forms of aggression and violence in
high pressure scenario simulations, as well as research into violent crime, it
contains a detailed analysis of the attributes that makes techniques effective,
an exploration of the origins and purpose of the Pinan forms, and a discussion
of some of the myths surrounding kata, their purpose and application. Each drill
is clearly illustrated with photos and explanatory text.
This book approaches the kata by looking at the common factors that unite
effective combative approaches rather than focusing on minor stylistic
differences, and as a result provides applications and training drills suitable
for everyone, regardless of style or grade. The application drills initiate from
movements that simulate the body’s natural flinch responses to attacks or common
fall back positions, and teach karateka how to close and create distance while
moving freely between ballistic and grappling techniques incorporating close
range striking, trapping, throwing, unbalancing and locking movements that
mirror the forms.
The Pinan Flow System refers to the ability to train karateka to flow seamlessly
between ballistic and grappling responses using techniques and tactics embedded
in the kata.
The Pinan Flow System illustrates why the Pinan / Heian set, practiced by so
many Karateka, are an important and misunderstood part of the legacy of Okinawan
karate to modern martial artists. Far from being simply kata for beginners, they
reflect the distillation of the knowledge and tactics of the father of modern
karate, and are an essential training tool and technical manual for beginner and
black belt alike.
Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Pinan-Flow-System-Application-Beginner/dp/1780359497/
Amazon.co.uk:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pinan-Flow-System-Application-Beginner/dp/1780359497/
Kindle Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Pinan-Flow-System-application-beginner-ebook/dp/B00HPZACBA/
Kindle Amazon.co.uk:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pinan-Flow-System-application-beginner-ebook/dp/B00HPZACBA/
Foreword by Iain Abernethy
Kata is arguably the practise that defines karate. Take away the kata (and take
off the gi) and karate becomes largely indistinguishable from any other martial
art that prioritises striking. If we acknowledge the central place that kata has
in karate, we then need to ask if that place is justified?
For most karateka, kata is practised as a grading requirement, for competition,
or as a means of maintaining “tradition”. The link to combat or self-defence is
often inferred, but there is no demonstrable link. If the karateka is primarily
training for personal challenge, sport or cultural and historic interest, then
the way kata is commonly practiced will be in line with their training goals.
However, what about the karateka who has effective self-protection as their
primary training goal?
For the pragmatically minded karateka, does kata deserve its central place?
While most karate would like to answer in the affirmative, I think we need to be
honest and say that, in general terms, it does not. This is not because of some
inherent flaw with kata itself, but the way in which it is largely approached.
Kata is practised as a “martial dead end” where kata is practised simply to get
good at kata. It is for this reason that many martial artists slight kata. Many
karateka even question the practise with some abandoning it completely. To my
way of thinking, this is a great tragedy as kata has so much to offer the
pragmatically minded karateka. What is needed for the value of kata to be
realised is for kata to be part of a demonstrable process: a process such as the
one John Titchen presents in this book.
For the value of kata to be fully realised it needs to be part of a process that
understands both the nature of kata and the nature of civilian violence. For the
practically minded karateka, kata shows us its full value only when the problem
(civilian violence) and the solution (the kata) are understood in relation to
one another, and which gives rise to a process that includes solo-practice,
realistic application, an understanding of underlying principles, and practise
in free flowing situations. Even when the application of kata is considered,
most karateka fail to practice something meaningful because one of the above
elements is missing. Not so here! What John presets is a holistic way of
approaching kata which addresses the realities of civilian violence. What you
will find in these pages (and the pages of subsequent volumes) is one of the
most functional ways to approach kata out there.
I’ve known John for a long time and know him to be one of the best there is when
it comes to effectively simulating the realities of self-defence in training. He
is also one of the most in-depth thinkers I’ve came across when considering the
role and nature of kata. When you combine those things with John’s skill as a
writer you end up with a very special approach to kata and a must read book.
I believe this book will provide much food for thought for the seasoned
pragmatically minded karateka, as well as providing a superb “as is” approach to
kata application that those new to the field can easily pick up and run with.
Above all else, I also think this book will prove to be a pivotal part of the
ever growing movement which is seeing kata retaining its central place in the
practise of the self-defence orientated karateka. Not because of nostalgia or
misplaced “tradition”, but because it works! This truly is an excellent book
that karate will benefit from.
12 - A letter I wanted to share from
Christopher M. Clarke (author of a must have bunkai book !):
"Dear
Iain, I wanted to thank you for the kind and favorable review of my book
"Ramblings From A Ten Foot Square Hut" and for passing along your endorsement to
your friends and students. The response had been excellent and I have been
gratified to see so many people taking your advice to obtain a copy. I hope
those who haven't yet done so will take advantage of the opportunity to look it
over. It is the only serious review I know of that looks at the available
literature--in book and video formats and in several languages--to explain why
karate seems to have strayed so far from its original practicality and to
examine how various experts, including yourself, have thought about this issue
and attempted to find answers to our dilemma. It also provides a sensible and
workable set of principles that show that traditional martial arts are not
obsolete, that they contain a wide range of effective combative strategies,
tactics, and techniques that are just as usable today as they were when they
were assembled into "kata", or forms for helping the student remember and
practice realistic self-defense and combat while alone. Although our approaches
may differ a bit, we have come to many of the same conclusions, and my book fits
well with your earlier books and your seminars and podcasts. For those
interested, Amazon.com has lowered the original selling price by 10%, so it
would make an excellent holiday gift for a martial arts friend. Once again, best
wishes in our common effort to spread the word not to flounder, lose faith, or
ignore the problem of doing "meaningless" karate. Dig down and learn the real
wisdom of our traditional martial art. Best wishes, Chris"
My Original Review:
In the interests of full disclosure: The author was kind enough to send me a
copy of this book. I have, however, never communicated with the author at the
time of writing this. I’ve never met Christopher Clarke and I was sent a copy
because my own work is critiqued in the book. Obviously, I was keen to see what
was written about me, so I dived straight in. I got nothing else done that day!
The author’s knowledge and passion for bunkai makes this book an enjoyable and
informative page-turner.
What I really liked about the book is that it draws together many sources from
the past and present. Unlike any book I’ve read on kata application before, this
book not only brings together information from the past, it also looks at many
of the contemporary approaches to bunkai and their proponents. I was honoured to
feature in this, and just in case you think this is a bit of “mutual back
slapping”, let me assure you the author’s critique of my work is not without
criticism. The reason I’ve written this review is because it’s a great book
which has much to add to the modern conversation around bunkai.
The book is concise without being shallow; a difficult thing to pull off. Every
page has valuable information and the author does a great job of guiding the
reader through it all. The author also manages to strike the balance between
giving his own views on the source material, and yet never letting his views
obscure the nature of that material.
It truly is a superb read which is very information rich. This is a book that
all karateka with an interest in kata application need to read. In a word:
Excellent!
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1490535853/
www.amazon.com/gp/product/1490535853/
13 - Self-defence &
Soul-defence course (June UK)
Message from Kesh Patel:
This programme teaches effective physical self-defence skills alongside robust
psychological strategies to combat threats to your wellbeing.
Using a simple and powerful model in both personal and group setting, you will
learn how to respond assertively to difficult situations and have a chance to
practice these skills in a safe and supportive environment. It will be fun!
Self-defence & Soul-defence in one unique package!
Delivered by Rakesh Patel & Kate Manley (http://www.passionforpotential.co.uk)
Book now for the June course that takes place in Bedfordshire.
Full details at
http://rakesh-patel.com/Self_Defence_Soul_Defence
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
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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
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