Hi All,

I hope you’re all keeping active and upbeat. Thanks for the feedback on these newsletters and the things I’ve been doing recently. I’m pleased they are proving useful in some small way.

In this newsletter, I have a little guidance for those new to the world of online teaching. It is something all instructors are going to have to get to grips with, but if you’ve not done it before it can be hard to know where to start. Hopefully, this brief primer will help get you up and running (Section 3).

This newsletter also has details of a new Visualisation Based Solo Workout! It’s a mix of shadow fighting, solo pad drills, kata, free flowing solo bunkai and self-defence scenarios. It’s fun to do and hopefully it will help keep you physically and mentally sharp until all of this is over and normal training can resume. All you need is a little space, a single focus mitt, and a smart phone or tablet (Section 1).

I have information on some great new books written by friends of mine. It’s important to find time to both relax and invest in yourself at times like these. I hope the books can help in the regard (Sections 4 & 5).

Finally, I have a couple of old podcasts on visualisation training and solo training that would seem especially relevant to the times we find ourselves in. I’ve included links and descriptions below.

Thanks to everyone who has been in touch recently. As it stands, my inbox currently has over 250 emails in it with more being added each day. I will get back to everyone, but it will obviously take some time. Your patience is appreciated. In particular, if you could avoid sending additional emails to check if I got the first one it would help. Although things are on hold with the seminars, teaching and traveling, I still need time to seek to sure up family finances, care for kids that are now off school, support family members, etc. These time pressures and increased amounts of communication have conspired to see me way behind on emails. I am sorry about that, but I will get to them all as soon as I can. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

Speak soon!

All the best,

Iain

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Content:

1) New Solo Workout
2) Unsu In-Depth Part 10
3) A Basic Guide to Online Teaching
4) The Penny Bridge Boy by Daniel Redmond
5) Tai Chi for Knee Health: The Low Impact Exercise System for Eliminating Knee Pain
6) Podcasts: Visualisation and Solo Kata Training

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1) NEW SOLO WORKOUT!

This new solo workout will help keep you mentally and physically sharp during this time of enforced solo training! The work out includes:

Shadow Boxing
Free Flowing Bunkai
Kata
Solo Pad Drills
Self-Protection Scenarios

The video explains how to do the workout mentally and physically. The audio file guides you through the full workout!

FIND IT HERE: Main Menu > Misc Techniques and Drills > Solo Training Ideas > Solo Training > Visualisation Based Solo Workout (Audio and Video).

If you are not an app member, and you’d like to try this workout, please email app@iainabernethy.com and we will get you set up with an account! :-)

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2) UNSU IN-DEPTH PART 10!

We continue looking at the applications of Unsu / Unshu kata! This edition also explores key throwing principles.

FIND IT HERE: Main Menu > Kata Bunkai > Unsu > Unsu In-Depth > Part 10

If you are not an app member, and you’d like to try this workout, please email app@iainabernethy.com and we will get you set up with an account! :-)

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3) A BASIC GUIDE TO ONLINE TEACHING

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/basic-guide-online-martial-arts-teaching

If you are new to online teaching, it can seem confusing and dauting. However, it’s simpler than most suppose and not beyond the reach of anyone. Here are some basic things to consider:

HOW TO FILM

Presentation

It’s hard right! As soon as you try it, everyone develops a newfound respect for how effortless and natural professional TV presented make it seem. As you know from your martial arts training, the key to improving is to just to keep doing it. Here’s some things to keep in mind:

1) There are people at the other end.

Talk to those people, not the camera. If it helps, visualise the camera as a friend or family member. If that’s not for you, ask someone to stand behind the camera and talk to them. That will keep it as natural and engaging as possible.

2) The people at the other end are your friends and students.

They will be supportive and grateful to you for trying to add a little normality to abnormal times. They will be very forgiving of any quirks and glitches in your presentation to camera. It’s the content, motivation and continued connection with you and their martial art that matters.

The key point is to just do it!

Kit

I have all the cameras, lights, backdrops, radio mics, etc. However, 95% of everything I do is filmed on my mobile phone! If you’ve ever watched one of my “talking head” videos on YouTube that has the blue background, then you’ve seen me talking while kneeling down in front of my phone, which is balanced on the edge a mat, which is propped against a wall! You simply don’t need loads of fancy kit. If you have a phone, a tablet, or a laptop with a camera you are good to go!

It’s the content that people really care about. So long as the sound is clear and the lighting adequate, you are golden.

The key point is to just do it!

Editing

There are loads of good editing packages, but 100% of my online content is done with free software that was included by default on my phone (iMovie) and on my PC (Movie Maker). It’s not hard to do, and to start with all you need to do is edit off the bit before you start talking / demonstrating and the bit where you walk toward the camera to stop it recording.

The key point is to just do it!

Lighting

You can’t beat natural light. No need for lighting rigs. Film during the day if you can; either outdoors or near a window.

The key point is to just do it!

HOW TO SHARE

You can share your videos with your students in loads of different ways. Here are some key ones:

Facebook Group

It’s very easy to set up a private group on Facebook which you can then invite students to join. You can then upload pre-recorded information and instructions, or you can even do a live feed! The downside is that the students can see you, but you can’t see them.

How do I create a Facebook group?
https://www.facebook.com/help/167970719931213

How to I share Video and Go Live on Facebook?
https://www.facebook.com/help/1738143323068602/

Zoom

Zoom is very popular and allows a two-way feed so your students can see you and you can see them. I’ve used Zoom to teach transatlantic remote seminars and it’s great! It can work on most devices and is free providing you have less than 40 participants for up to 40 mins. If you want longer, it’s pretty cheap too.

You can find more info on how to get set up here:
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697

Pricing info can be found here, if you decide to move beyond the free package:
https://zoom.us/pricing

YouTube

It’s very easy to set up a YouTube account. One thing you may not know is you have the option of having the videos public, private or unlisted. Public means the whole world can see it. Private means only you can see it. Unlisted means the video is unsearchable so only those with a direct link can view it. I would imagine that for most of you, it is unlisted that you will be after. You can send your students the links, or post them in private groups, and only they will be able to see your content.

Here is how to set up an account:

1) Set up a Google account if you don’t already have one:
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/161805

2) Set up your YouTube Channel:
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/1646861

Your Own App?

My app has been something of a lifeline when it comes to keeping me in touch with my community. The company that I’m in partnership with for that is Kinapptech / Budo Code. They are an awesome team of people and they’ve been a joy to work with over the years. The app is really simple to populate, and it will be a good resource for students when all this is over. If I can do it, then anyone can.

You can find out more here:
https://www.kinapptech.com/our-apps

If you’d like to chat with them, then fill in this form:
https://www.kinapptech.com/new-page

OTHER VITAL CONSIDERATIONS

The law and what is deemed best practise will vary cross the globe. However, you will need to give consideration to privacy, child protection, risk assessments and insurance. Live feeds will allow you to see into other people’s home and potentially record them. Zoom, for example, does allow you to record all “meetings”. Personally, that’s something I’d never do, but either way you will need a policy on that that is in accord with local laws, and that you, parents and your adult students clearly understand and agree to. This is even more pressing if you are teaching children remotely. Data protection considerations will also apply. You also need to make sure you instructor insurance covers remote teaching and that you have adequately risk assessed things. This will include guidance for students / parents to ensure that their home training area is safe and fit for purpose. WHEN IN DOUBT: Consult with your governing body!

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4) THE PENNY BRIDGE BOY by DANIEL REDMOND

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/penny-bridge-boy-dan-redmond

If you are on lockdown in need of a good book to read, may I suggest “The Penny Bridge Boy” by our very own Daniel Redmond. Peter, Kris Wilder and I have all provided endorsements for the book and highly recommend it!

INFO: This book is an uncompromising 'survivor's tale' of being bullied, brawling and bad attitude. Dan takes us on a journey to a time and place of self-reliance and then after a lifetime of study in the martial arts he now firmly believes that violence is not the only answer to solving problems.

The book costs £14.50 + post - packing. Inquiries to Dan Redmond. Tel 07976987696. Email chujo@hotmail.com. Paypal or bank transfer accepted.

http://www.lulu.com/shop/daniel-redmond/the-penny-bridge-boy/paperback/product-24433969.html

PETER’S REVIEW: I was hooked early on in the book to find out that Dan was born in the next village to where the 21st President of the United States was born and from then on I was captivated enough to read the book in one sitting. Brought up in a supportive family, but dogged through his youth by violence, which certainly shaped his formative years, this had him walking a fine line with authority.

As many people will attest who have been through similar and often damaging experiences it was the martial arts that pretty much saved Dan, gave him direction and steadied the ship. Eventually, as you’ll read, his pursuit of knowledge and the best training in Karate took him to such places as Japan, Okinawa and the States on a number of occasions.

Over the years Dan has built up a very solid reputation in the karate world and his journey through life with the martial arts as his compass is engagingly told in this well written biography. This is a book for everyone not just martial artists as the life lessons are of value to all of us.

KRIS’S REVIEW: This is a Man’s book written for men. Dan Redmond takes us to a time and place of self-reliance, honour and dignity for which, in our hearts, we long. The head winds of life are strong; a man's spirit can be stronger. Dan proves it by sharing his admittedly imperfect life perfectly.

IAIN’S REVIEW: I’ve known Dan Redmond for almost 20 years; at least I thought I knew him. The Dan Redmond I’ve known is warm, funny, supportive, widely enthusiastic, honest, forthright and a fighter to the core. He is all those things in spades; as you’ll find but when you meet them man himself as you read his words. I knew that Dan before I read this book and it was nice to spend some more time with him. However, what I found to be a real joy was meeting a whole new Dan too! I’d never met Dan the child, Dan the young man, and Dan the storyteller before. It was a joy to make their acquaintance too! Again, you’re about to find that out. Dan Redmond is a unique man, from a unique part of the world, and who has led a unique life. You’ve made a smart choice in choosing to make his acquaintance. You’re in for a treat!

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5) TAI CHI FOR KNEE HEALTH: THE LOW IMPACT EXERCISE SYSTEM FOR ELIMINATING KNEE PAIN
By CHRIS CINNAMON

https://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/content/tai-chi-knee-health-low-impact-exercise-system-eliminating-knee-pain

Chris Cinnamon (who I am chatting with in the video: https://youtu.be/C_hOnc_GTZg ) has written a really interesting book on knee pain and what to do about it. Well worth a look for those having problems.

Tai Chi for Knee Health: The Low Impact Exercise System for Eliminating Knee Pain

Is knee pain slowing you down?

Discover Tai Chi for Knee Health, the low-impact, step-by-step, Tai Chi-based exercise system that will: Transform your knee health, Eliminate pain, Get you moving again.

The Tai Chi for Knee Health System provides an ideal exercise program for adults experiencing chronic knee pain from knee osteoarthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, patellofemoral syndrome, and other causes. It can be incorporated into prehab and rehab for knee surgery and knee replacement.

The Tai Chi for Knee Health System combines time-tested Tai Chi principles with cutting edge scientific research to deliver a step-by-step program that anyone can do. Richly illustrated, with access to online videos, Tai Chi for Knee Health delivers an ideal resource to help you take charge of your knee health, eliminate pain, and enjoy moving again.

About the Author

Chris Cinnamon is an author, exercise physiologist, wellness expert, and head instructor at Chicago Tai Chi. Chris holds a law degree from the University of Michigan, a Master of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and is certified as an exercise physiologist by the American College of Sports Medicine.

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tai-Chi-Knee-Health-Eliminating/dp/1734336919/

USA: https://www.amazon.com/Tai-Chi-Knee-Health-Eliminating/dp/1734336919/

Germany: https://www.amazon.de/Tai-Chi-Knee-Health-Eliminating/dp/1734336919/

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6) PODCASTS: VISUALISATION AND SOLO KATA TRAINING

VISUALISATION TRAINING (PODCAST)

https://iainabernethy.co.uk/content/visualisation-training-podcast

In this podcast I want to discuss my personal take on visualisation training. Visualisation training is where we mentally rehearse a given task or scenario in order to help us prepare for that task or scenario.

I’ve made use of visualisation over the years and I’ve found it to be very useful. It can be a great supplement to physical training and can help develop skill, improve performance, boost confidence and help give you a positive self-image. It can help you rehearse so you are well prepared for any task you are undertaking. It also has uses in our everyday lives outside of the martial arts too.

Visualisation can be done anywhere and with no equipment. You can train as a passenger in a car, while sitting at your desk, on a plane, before you go to sleep at night, before you get out of bed in the morning, when injured, when tired, when ill, and so on.

In this podcast I explain what visualisation is, how I personally practise it, how to ensure it is effective and some of the more common problems you may come across.

SOLO KATA FOR SOLO TRAINING (PODCAST)

https://iainabernethy.co.uk/content/solo-kata-solo-training-podcast

In these podcasts we frequently discuss how kata records the combative techniques and concepts upon which karate is based. Kata provides the combative syllabus around which we should structure all of our training. Kata should be central to our pad drills, partner-work, sparring, and all other forms of training. In this podcast we discuss the solo kata itself and how it can be used as an enjoyable and effective method of supplementary solo training.

We start by discussing the nature of kata, what a “good kata” is, and what benefits the practise of solo kata can bring when training alone. We then spend the bulk of the podcast looking at the many different ways in which you can make use of kata regardless of style, available space or environment. We also cover some of the ways in which you can add variety to solo kata training in order to make training challenging and enjoyable. The hope is the podcast will motivate and inspire you to further explore the many ways in which kata can be used when a training partner is not available.

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