Contents:

1 - New Podcast: Your Questions (Longest Podcast Ever!)

Welcome to one of the longest podcasts we’ve ever done! It’s been a while since I last turned the podcast over to listeners and asked for questions and topics; so in this one I put that right! I asked for questions via Facebook, Twitter and the newsletters and got way more than I could possibly answer! Thanks to all who contributed!

I printed them all off and did my best to answer as many as I could in the time available. Here are just some of the topics covered:

How many kata should we learn; individual expression and kata; how the differing versions of kata complement each other; how karate has changed and my predictions for the future; the role of stances; heel down or heal up when punching; karate for the older practitioner; kumite vs. kata; kakie exercises; throws in self-defence; my favourite kata; seminar teaching; developing a bunkai-based syllabus; kata and multiple enemies; how to validate bunkai; stretching; kyusho Jitsu and kata applications; karate in schools; kata in the Olympics; fitting training into a busy schedule; is karate still Japanese; what most people disagree with me on; and more!

Whether you agree or disagree with my take on the various subjects covered, I hope that you find it an interesting and entertaining listen.

To break the podcast up also I recorded some “fake sponsor announcements” which are interspaced every 15 mins or so. I could have just used some music, but this amused me more :-) Whether they amuse anyone else remains to be seen.

I’m aware that at this time of year many listeners will be traveling for their holidays and I hope the increased length of the podcast helps pass the time on various road tips and flights.

Many thanks for all your support of these podcasts!

PLEASE NOTE: In the podcast I got little confused! This October see the start of the 10th year of the podcasts … whereas when recording I said it was the 10th anniversary (which would the end of the 10th year and not the start). Still a great achievement which is entirely down to the support of listeners … but we need to keep the champagne on ice for a little longer :-)

Listen to the podcast on this webpage: http://iainabernethy.co.uk/content/your-questions-podcast

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

2 - Upcoming Iain Abernethy Seminars

(Finland, Germany, Denmark, USA, Netherlands, UK 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 Lohja, Finland
Date: 29th to 30th of August 2015
For more details please follow this link: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-lohja-finland 

Seminar in Inverurie, Scotland
Date: 5th of September 2015
For more details please follow this link: http://iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-inverurie-scotland

Seminar in Swansea, Wales
Date: 6th of September 2015
For more details please follow this link: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-swansea-wales 

Seminar in Franklin, North Carolina, USA
Date: September 11th to 13th 2015
For more details please follow this link: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-franklin-north-carolina-usa 

Seminar in the Netherlands
Date: 18th to the 20th of September 2015

For more details please follow this link: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-netherlands-1 

Seminar in Wigan
Date: 27th of September 2015
For more details please follow this link: http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/events/seminar-wigan-1 

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

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

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 

3 - Lee Taylor Bunkai Books Special Summer Offer!

For August only Lee Taylor is offering a 30% discount on his printed books ‘Heian/Pinan Kata & Bunkai The Fundamentals’ and ‘Ananko Kata Form & Function’ Offer ends August 31st so grab yourself a summer bargain!

Only available here: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/lee1200

Here are a selection of reviews for Lee’s books:

"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

"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

"In summary, this book is straight to the point, easy to follow, well written without ambiguity and clearly formatted. It provides a selection of practical applications for the Pinan/Heian kata series that combine together with progressive and integrated themes for the prime objective of physical self-protection. Since Lee's views are very similar to those of my own, it was an enjoyable read and I noticed numerous times that my head was uncontrollably nodding in agreement with many of the points discussed. All in all, I would certainly recommend this book to sit on the shelves of all pragmatically minded karate practitioners - preferably well read and dog eared!" - Chris Denwood

4 - Samurai and Ninja: The Real Story Behind the Japanese Warrior Myth by Antony Cummin

I was sent details of this book in a press release by Tuttle (the publishers) and it looks very interesting. I’ve read other works by Antony Cummin and greatly enjoyed them (his book on Viking Martial Arts is a fun read!) so I’m looking forward to this. My copy is ordered and should be with me tomorrow.

The myths of the noble Samurai and the sinister Ninja are filled with romantic fantasy and fallacy.

Samurai and Ninja expert Antony Cummins shatters the myths and exposes the true nature of these very real—and very lethal—medieval Japanese warriors. The Samurai and Ninja were in fact brutal killing machines trained in torture and soaked in machismo. Many were skilled horsemen and sword-fighting specialists, while others were masters of deception and sabotage. Some fought for loyalty, others for personal gain. What these warriors all shared in common was their unflinching personal bravery, skill and brutality.

In Samurai and Ninja, Cummins separates myth from reality and shows why the Japanese were the greatest warriors of all time:

He describes the Samurai and the Ninja as they really were in earlier times when battles raged across Japan—not in later times when war became obsolete and Japanese warriors became philosophers, scholars and courtiers.

He describes the social context of the day and the feudal world into which the warriors were trained to fight and die for their lords.

He exposes the essentially brutal nature of warfare in medieval Japan.

This book is illuminated by many rare Japanese manuscripts and texts which are translated into English for the very first time.

http://www.amazon.com/Samurai-Ninja-Japanese-Shatters-Mystique/dp/480531334X

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samurai-Ninja-Japanese-Shatters-Mystique/dp/480531334X
 

5 - Gretchen Carlson’s 50 state martial arts challenge!

You may remember me telling you about Gretchen Carlson’s 50 state martial arts challenge!

Here is an update: http://martialjourneys.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/preparations.html

Kris Wilder is helping kick things off in Seattle and if you are in the Midwest, Ohio or Indiana please drop Gretchen a note!

Message from Gretchen Carlson

Greetings fellow martial artists,

The 50 State Challenge is a project about uniting martial artists across the various styles and across the United States. The goal is to find a host school in each of the fifty states where I will take a class and teach a class. This is not a project about making money, and in fact I won’t accept payment for the classes I teach. Instead I donate my time as part of a fundraiser for a charity chosen by the host school. Along the way, I record the experience online at http://martialjourneys.blogspot.com

Here’s how it works!

Learning Something: The goal is to make each stop on the Challenge as unique as possible, so I hope to find a variety of kinds of schools to host, representing a range of styles of martial arts. In addition to taking a class, I will interview the school’s head instructor for the blog. The idea is to tell each school’s story and show what makes it unique. At the end of the project the blog should portray an intimate picture of martial arts across America.

Teaching Something: At each school participating in the challenge, I will share something I know with the students. This will include a “takeaway technique” that the previous school taught to me. This allows every school in the Challenge to learn from and share their knowledge with the others.

Supporting a Cause: The fundraiser attached to the event can be as simple as putting out a donation jar, or as involved as an elaborate break-a-thon. The particular cause championed by the host school speaks to that school’s personality, and I hope to shine a spotlight on fifty different worthy causes that could benefit from some extra support and attention.

Joining the Challenge: As martial artists, there is a great deal we can learn from each other, and we have endless stories to share. If you are interested in being part of this project as a host school, please contact me at gcmaybeme@gmail.com If you prefer to enjoy the stories and studies without being involved directly, you can follow the project at http://martialjourneys.blogspot.com or join the community on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/martialjourneys or Twitter with @MartialJourneys

Respectfully,

Gretchen Carlson

6 - 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

7 - The World Combat Association

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)

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

Facebook: www.facebook.com/iainabernethy

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

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