News Page

Date: 23rd May 2008

Seminar details can be found at the foot of this page or by clicking here

Hi All,

Welcome to the May news-page! The first thing is that a new podcast is now available to listen to on the blog! In this month's podcast we are looking at Beginning Bunkai. One of the most frequent requests I get via email is for advice on how to get started with the study of bunkai (kata application). So I thought it was about time we did a podcast on that topic! The podcast covers finding regular instruction, setting up training groups, making the most of seminars, dealing with any negative reactions from your instructors and peers, studying the works of the past masters, what your study should include, developing your own unique approach to bunkai, etc. If you are one of those people who is keen to make practical bunkai part of what they do, but you are not sure how to get stared, then this podcast should help.

This podcast also includes a free to enter competition! We have received quite a few emails about my accent over the years and I thought it would be fun to run a related competition. I have therefore included a short martial arts related phrase in board Cumbrian (my local dialect). One lucky winner - which will be whoever gets closest to understanding what I said! - will win a free book or DVD for their choice. I hope you enjoy the podcast! Please click HERE to listen to or download the podcast.

Work has now well underway on the summer issue of Jissen! The magazine is put together and edited by yours truly and because of my limited time the magazine will, as intended, remain quarterly. It's great that people would like it more often, but that's just not practical I'm afraid. This second issue is sure to be worth the wait though! I've been sent some superb articles and the next issue looks sure to be even bigger and better than the first one! I'm currently laying out a number of great articles by well known and not so well known martial artists from all over the globe on all things practical.

One thing to reiterate is that the magazine is free and will always be free. No catch! It's just something I feel the community of pragmatic traditionalists can benefit from and that will further our cause and our studies. Thanks to everyone's contributions and enthusiastic support we can bring it to you as a free service. If you've not yet read the first edition, it can be downloaded by clicking HERE.

On Sunday the Sunday 28th September I'll be one of the Judges at the All British Weapons and Combat Championships! I'll have more details for future newsletters but at this stage I know that among the other judges will also be Peter Consterdine 8th Dan and Thai Boxing Legend Master Sken will also be judging (Master Sken will also be doing one of his demos!). The whole event is being organised to raise money for "Action for Blind People" and it costs just £2.00 to spectate! The event will be held in The Copley Centre, Huddersfield Road, Stalybridge, Tameside, SK15 3ET from 10am to 5pm. If you're free that day it would be really good if you could come along and lend your support. It will be a fun day, it's for a great cause, and I'm sure we'll also get a chance to chat at some point during the day's action! Further details can be gained from the events website: www.abwcc.co.uk

In a few weeks I'll be back in Canada! I had a great time last summer and I'm looking forward to getting back over there and talking martial arts with everyone. This year we've planned to cover the bunkai and two man drills associated with the Pinan / Heian series, Kushanku / Kanku-Dai and Chinto / Gankaku. We also have a special session planned to introduce everyone to the kata-based-sparring concept! (see seminar section below). Speaking of Canada, on the 3rd of May James Freeman gained a well earned promotion to 5th Dan! Congratulations James! I look forward to meeting up again with James and his students when I visit Canada soon.

On the weekend of the 15th and 16th of November I'll be back in southern Germany! More details will follow shortly, but I thought it prudent to let you all know now so that you can get the dates in your diary. The recent seminars in Munich and Niederstotzingen (picture below was taken at that event) were great fun and I'm looking forward to getting back to Germany and seeing you all again! This seminar will be held around Leutenbach and more details will follow shortly!

The number of subscribers to the newsletters continues to grow! A PDF version of the newsletter can also be downloaded from this page. Right click on the bold text below, and then select "save target as" (some times "save page as"). Then choose where you wish to save the file (normally the "desk top") and download it. When you go to open the file it will ask you for a password. The newsletters are for members only (it's free to join) and the password was included in the email version of the newsletter.

PDF NEWSLETTER MAY 08

(read above instructions before downloading)

Below you can find details of the open seminars over the next few months. I thoroughly enjoy the seminars as it's always a great opportunity to spend time with people who are enthusiastic about all the same things I am! I look forward to catching up with you all soon. If there are any questions about any of the seminars, please don't hesitate to contact me (iain@iainabernethy.com).

I think that's about if for now? If I can ever be of assistance with anything, please don't hesitate to drop me a line.

All the best,

Iain

Upcoming Open Seminars

Below you can find details of all the upcoming open seminars for the next few months. If you have any questions about any of the seminars, please don't hesitate to drop me a line (iain@iainabernethy.com). I look forward to seeing you there!

1st June 2008 – Forfar, Angus, Scotland

Sunday the 1st of June will see me teach a seminar from 11:00am to 4:00pm at the Lochside Leisure Centre, Forfar, Angus. Scotland, DD8 1BT. The cost of the seminar is £25 (to be paid in advance). Cheques should be made payable to “Harry Boag” and sent to Harry Boag, 11 Potters Park, Forfar, Angus, Scotland DD8 1JL. For further details and to secure your place, please call Harry Boag on 01307 464767 (after 6pm) or mobile 07722612691 You can also email Harry at harry@hboag.freeserve.co.uk


6th of June to 15th of June 2008 – Canada

I'll be back in Canada in June of this year! I had a great time last Summer and I was really delighted with how much we managed to cover. Please feel free to contact James (or myself) if you have any questions.

June 6 evening: St. Catherines, Ontario
June 7/8 week-end: Delhi, Ontario
June 9-13 evenings: Edmonton, Alberta
June 14/15 week-end: Edmonton, Alberta
 
This clinics series is sanctioned by the Shintani Wado-kai Karate Federation, and sponsored by the Business Karate Association of Edmonton. A PDF with further details of some of the seminars can be accessed by clicking HERE For more information, contact James Freeman at contactbushido@edmonton-karate.com

30th August 2008 – St Just, Nr. Penzance, Cornwall

Saturday the 30th of August will see me teach a seminar in Cornwall from 10:00am to 3:30pm. The seminar will be held at St Just Sports Centre, Cape Cornwall Road , St Just, Nr. Penzance, TR19 7JX. The cost will be £20.00 per person if making a booking and payment before 1 st August 2008 (£25.00 per person thereafter). Cheques should be made payable to "Samurai Karate Cornwall" and sent to Samurai Karate Cornwall, The Old Milk Factory Stables, Lower Grumbla, Sancreed, Penzance, Cornwall , TR20 8QW . If you have any questions you can contact Kevin Cooke on either 07706797562 or kevin@samuraikaratecornwall.co.uk

13th September 2008 – Pontypridd, Wales

I'll be teaching in Pontypridd, Wales on Saturday the 13th of September! The seminar will run form 11am to 3pm and will be held in Llantwit Fardre Sport Centre, Central Park, Church Village, Pontypridd, CF38 1DN (Tel: 01443 201721). The cost will be £20 per person. Cheques should be made payable to "Mr Andrew O'Brien" and sent to Andrew O'Brien, 85 Conway Rd , Pontcanna, Cardiff , CF11 9NW. Andrew can be contacted on either 02920 901062 or 07964032468.

14th September 2008 – Brighouse, West Yorkshire

On the 14th of September, I'll be teaching an open seminar hosted by Halifax Wado Kai Karate Club. The seminar will run from 11am to 3pm and will be held in William Henry Smith School, Boothroyd, Brighouse, West Yorkshire, HD6 3JW. The seminar will cost £25 per person. Cheques (payable to “L. Richardson”) are to be sent to the following address: Iain Abernethy Seminar, c/o Lee Richardson, 53 Turner Avenue North , Illingworth, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX2 8LF. For further details and to book your place, please contact Halifax Wado Kai Karate Club on 01422 341934 and 07818 290146 . You can also email Lee Richardson via karateseminar-abernethy@yahoo.co.uk

21st September 2008 – Bristol

On Sunday the 21st of September I'll be teaching at the brand-new Bristol Dojo (www.bristoldojo.com)! This seminar will run from 11am to 3pm and the address is Bristol Dojo, Upper Floor, Middle Unit, 74-78 Avon Street , Bristol , BS2 0PX . The cost is £25 per person and this must be paid at least two week before the date of the seminar. Cheques should be made payable to "Bristol Dojo" and sent to Simon O'Brien, 14 Marjoram Way, Village Quarter, Portishead, Bristol , BS20 7JF . Simon can also be contacted via simon@imperialkarate.com or 07808822578

If you'd like to host a seminar yourself, please don't hesitate to drop me a line (iain@iainabernethy.com)

Details of seminars later in the year will be added soon

Want a seminar in 2008?

IMPORTANT: Due to taking a couple of months off from the seminars during the summer to help progress the new book, things are now very busy towards the latter part of the year. There are two days in September and just two in December.

I love visiting people's dojos and don't like having to decline any invitations or disappoint anyone. If you are wanting a seminar in 2008 there are now just four days left available for this year. At the time of writing, the following are still open:

Saturday the 6th of September 2008

Saturday the 20th of September 2008

Saturday the 6th of December 2008

Sunday the 7th of December 2008

Anyone wanting a seminar in 2008 is therefore encouraged to act quickly before all the remaining dates are taken. Please drop me a line (iain@iainabernethy.com) to book your date ASAP as all dates are given on a first come, first served basis.