Iain Abernethy.com

Welcome to the latest news-page! This update is a few weeks later than normal due to the time I’ve been away for the X-Po events in Seattle and Coventry. And what great events they were!

I thoroughly enjoyed learning from the other instructors and spending time in their company. Marc, Rory, Kris, Nick and Al all have amazing skills and great senses of humour! It was an awesome week and I've included some photos further down with page.

The photo to the right was taken following a 1.5 hour round the table discussion on all things martial … and the great news is that conversation was recorded! The plan is to make it freely available over the coming months and I’ll be sure to keep you updated.

We’ve also filmed the footage for the new “Beyond Bunkai” DVD since the last update! Murray, Fred and myself travelled down to the south coast to film the DVD with Harbour View Productions. We had three cameras going, a director (the ever helpful Lou) and the sound on a boom (so no destroying the radio mics as normal). A behind the scenes photo can be viewed here: http://twitpic.com/2heyyc

The filming went really well and I’ve already seen the edited elements. They look great! Ben (editor) has done a superb job in getting you right in the action and the full speed demonstrations following the instruction come across as the chaotic and brutal affairs they are ;-)

The DVD provides detailed instruction on a non-scripted semi-live flow drill that utilises all the motions from Naihanchi / Tekki Shodan kata. It’s aimed at karateka who already have a solid appreciation of bunkai and now wish to practise in a more realistic and combative way that involves adapting to the enemy’s attempts to neutralise your attacks and ensuring an effective escape. I’ll provide more information as things progress!

No podcast this month, but we do have some new Extreme Impact Drills for you! The latest drill is from the forthcoming "Extreme Impact Unit 8: Confusion Drills" (to be released in Sept 2010). Confusion drills are ones that mess with the mind and body by never allowing you to "find your groove". The drills involve variations in tempo, intensity and impact to keep you constantly outside of your comfort zone! Please visit the Blog to see all the drills we’ve recently made available. I hope you "enjoy" making use of these drills in your training and teaching.

The twitter feed has got off to a good start and thanks to all who are following me there and engaging in the discussions. You can join us at www.twitter.com/iainabernethy The plan is to include news, information, interesting quotations, training tips and tales from my travels on a regular basis.

The tweets can also be received in the normal way of course (online and direct to your mobile phone) and I hope you'll find this useful and enjoyable. One thing for sure if that the twitter feed with be the quickest way to find out what is going on. Should be fun and I look forward to tweeting you!

The main bit of news is that the new website will be launched very soon! This existing site gets over 13,000 page hits per day and I feel it is time to give the large community that has formed around the website even better facilities to communicate and learn from each other. Everything the existing site has will still be there, in a greatly improved format, and there are loads of new facilities too! Here are some of the things the new site will have:

• Free membership
• A new and improved forum.
• The ability to set up private groups to discuss given issues
• New and improved media player
• More podcasts
• All New Video-casts!
• More frequent news and updates
• A new “Friends Section” that will automatically tell you of all new additions to our recommended sites
• A new search function that will allow you to interrogate all aspects of the site to quickly find the information you seek
• And a load more besides!

We’ll keep you informed as we make the transition and we hope to have the new site live within two weeks! I’m sure you’ll all really enjoy the new website. Please watch this space!

The final thing to mention is that I was graded to 6th dan by Peter Consterdine 8th dan a few weeks ago. Naturally, it means a lot to me and gives me a high standard to live up to.

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

Photo 1: Kris Wilder quietly blends into the background of the group photo at the end of Seattle day 2.

Photo 2: Kris Wilder, Marc “Animal” MacYoung, Rory Miller, Nicholas Yang, Al Peasland, Iain Abernethy. Not sure why all the American’s stood up and the Brits sat down?!?

Photo 3: Iain and Al pull a “serious face” to avoid looking overly enthusiastic when handling guns and end up looking rather odd! Seconds earlier Rory had commented that Brits with guns were like teenage boys with a copy of playboy! Note how the guns are unloaded, open and our fingers are off the triggers. My mum saw this photo on Al’s Facebook page and had words with me about it! ;-)

Photo 4: Rory kindly takes Iain through some of the points associated with clearing a room as part of a team. The practise continued and lead to us being one door away from a church congregation!

Photo 5: Iain, Kris and Al at the graves of Bruce and Brandon Lee. Bruce Lee’s films were one of the things that inspired me as a young martial artist and hence it was really nice to pay a visit.

Photo 6: Nick, Marc, Rory, Al, Iain & Kris. Not sure what Kris was pointing at, but I was having a “Marc MacYoung is wearing a T-Shirt with my name on it moment!” I’ve been a big fan of Marc’s no nonsense approach to self-defence for decades and it was great to finally meet him.

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 all at the various events!

5th of September 2010 – Carlow, Republic of Ireland

This seminar is being hosted by Colin Keating of the Carlow Wado-Kai. The seminar will take place at Baltinglass Karate Club, Unit 4, Euro Park Industrial Estate, Baltinglass Co. Wicklow, Ireland on Sunday the 5th of September from 12pm to 3pm, and will cost 30 Euros. Places for guests are strictly limited and you are therefore encouraged to get in touch ASAP to avoid disappointment. You can get further details from Colin at carlowwadokai@eircom.net. You can also visit the website at www.carlowwadokai.com

11th and 12th of September 2010 – Pinneberg (nearby Hamburg), Germany

Bunkai-Seminar mit Iain Abernethy, 5. Dan in Pinneberg (bei Hamburg) 11. - 12. September 2010. Lehrgangsort: Theodor-Heuss-Schule, Datumer Chaussee 2, 25421 Pinneberg. Lehrgangsinhalte: Samstag, 11.09.2010: 10:00 – 12:00; 13:00 – 15:00; 15:30 – 17:30 Arbeit an den Pinan/Heian Kata und der Bassai-Dai. Sonntag, 12.09.2010: 10:00 – 12:00; 13:00 – 14:30 Fortsetzung der Bassai-Dai und Kata-based sparring. Lehrgangsgebühr: 40,00 €. Hinweis: Eine Teilnahme ist ab 16 Jahren möglich. Für eine bessere Planung wird um Voranmeldung unter Angabe von Name, Stilrichtung und Graduierung bis zum 03.09.2010 gebeten. Ausrichter: Sanga-Dojo - Shito-Ryu Karate-Do Genbu-Kai im SC Pinneberg Veranstalter: Wolfgang Schwalenberg, Tel.: +49 172 / 1 67 67 93 Email: sanga-dojo@web.de Haftung: Der Ausrichter / Veranstalter lehnt jede Haftung ab. www.karate-pinneberg.de

18th of September 2010 – Chelmsford, Essex

This seminar will take place in Chelmsford, Essex from 12 to 4pm. The seminar will focus on non-scripted flow drills for the Pinan / Heian series and Naihanchi / Tekki Shodan. The venue is Newlands Spring Centre, Dickens Place, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 4UU. Tickets cost £25 per person and all tickets must be purchased in advance (no “on-the-door tickets” will be available). Cheques should be made payable to “Kernow Karate club” and sent to Kernow Karate Club, 2 Abell Way, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 6WU. For further details please email Paul Newman on paul@kernowkarate.co.uk or call Paul on 01245 460910 or 07808 906885. www.kernowkarate.co.uk

19th of September - Midlands, UK

On the 19th of September 2010 (11am to 3pm) I’ll be teaching a seminar at Stafford Martial Arts Academy (Top Floor - Paul Reynolds Centre, Browning Street, Stafford, ST16 3AX). The seminar will cost £25 and cheques (payable to MSKF) should be sent to Leigh Simms, 95 Vivian Road, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 3JG. For further details please contact Leigh Simms via 07531764550 or leighsimms@hotmail.co.uk

26th of September - Insch, Aberdeenshire

On Sunday the 26th of September I’ll be teaching from 11am to 4pm in Bennachie Sports Centre, Largie Road, Insch, AB52 6LT. The cost is £25 (payable in advance). Cheques (payable to “S Gordon”) to Steve Gordon, 8 Donald Gordon Court, Oldmeldrum, AB51 0GR. Further details can be gained by contacting Steve via st.gordon@btinternet.com John Burke (www.thebunkaiguy.com) will be teaching from 11am to 4pm the day before in the same venue (£20). If you wish to attend both days the total cost will be £40. Please contact Steve for accommodation details if attending both days.

2nd October 2010 - Bristol

On Saturday the 2nd of October I'll once again be teaching a seminar on applied karate / kata bunkai at the Bristol Dojo (www.bristoldojo.com)! This seminar will run from 12pm to 4pm 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 weeks 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

9th and 10th of October 2010 – Denmark

Vejle Shotokan Karate-Do and Hinnerup Karate hereby invite you to an open seminar with Iain Abernethy on the 9th and 10th of October 2010 in Vejle, Denmark. Saturday 9th of October 2010: First session 11.00 – 13.30 (Bunkai to Jion) / Pause 13.30 – 14.30 / Second session 14.30 – 16.30 (Impact training). Sunday the 10th of October 2010: First session 10.00 – 12.30 (Bunkai to Jion) / Pause 12.30 – 13.30 / Second session 13.30 – 15.30 (Kata based sparring). Address:DGI Huset, (At the judo dojo below ”hal 1”), Willy Sørensens Plads 5, 7100 Vejle, Denmark. If you register for the seminar before the 1st of October 2010, the price is DKK 250 per day or DKK 350 for both days. Please email your name, degree, and karate club information to Jean Sørensen at jean@shotokan.dk There are 50 available spots at the seminar. Once the spots are filled, registration is no longer possible. Should anyone register and pay after the 2nd of October 2010, the price is DKK 350 per day or DKK 450 for both days. Payment: Please send an international cheque to Vejle Shotokan Karate-do, c/o Jan Graversen, Bakkedraget 8, 7100 Vejle, Denmark. Who can participate: Anyone above 15 years of age. Note: If possible, please bring a target punch mitts and a kicking pad.

17th of October 2010 – Swindon, Wiltshire

On the 17th of October I'll be teaching a seminar in Swindon for Genjitsu Karate Kai. The times and venues are still being finalised (watch this space!). For further details and to book your place, please contact Andi Kidd at Andi.Kidd@stfc.ac.uk You can also call Andi Kidd on 07818417181. The cost of the seminar is £25 (full amount or a £15 deposit secures your place). Cheques should be made payable to “Andi Kidd” and sent to Andi Kidd, 15 Dulverton Ave, Park North, Swindon, SN3 2NT.

30th of October 2010 – Thornaby, Stockton On Tees, Cleveland

This latest open seminar organised by Taisho-Do Karate will take place from 12:00pm to 5:00pm and will be held in the Harewood Space Sports and Arts, Robert Atkinson Centre, Thorntree Road, Thornaby, Stockton On Tees, Cleveland, TS17 8AP. The cost of the seminar is £20 (full amount or a £10 deposit secures your place). Cheques should be made payable to "Taisho-Do Karate" and sent to Mark Raistrick, 7 Clarendon Road, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, TS17 8JQ. Mark can also be contacted on 07508015614 or Taishodo@aol.com for further details.

31st of October 2010 - Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland

On the 31st of October I'll be teaching an open seminar from 12pm to 4pm in the Glenrothes Martial Arts Centre, Alburnie Park, Glenrothes, Fife, KY7 5RB. The centre is next to Balbirnie Fitness Centre (look for the Glenrothes Judo Club sign). The centre's website is www.glenrothesmartialarts.com The cost will be £25 and people can book a place by contacting Stuart Maxwell on stuartmaxwell04@btinternet.com or by calling 01592650862 (between 5pm and 6pm). People need to pre-book a place and payment will be taken on the door. Places are strictly limited so please act soon.

13th and 14th of November - Idar-Oberstein, Germany

Bunkai Jutsu Seminar mit Iain Abernethy am 13. / 14. November 2010 in Idar-Oberstein. Wir freuen uns, in diesem Jahr wieder ein Seminar mit Iain Abernethy in Idar-Oberstein anbieten zu können. Unter dem Thema „Practical Bunkai Drills and Kata-Based-Sparring“ werden wir anhand ausgewählter Übungen aus den Kata lernen, eigene Drills zu entwickeln und in auf den Kata basierenden Übungskämpfen anzuwenden. Der Lehrgang ist offen für alle Stilrichtungen und Graduierungen. Lehrgangssprache ist Englisch. Mindestalter ist 18 Jahre! Da die Teilnehmerzahl begrenzt ist, wird um eine Anmeldung gebeten. Ort: Mehrzweckhalle der Grundschule Göttschied, Eichenwaldstr. 1, 55743 Idar-Oberstein. Zeiten: Samstag, 13. November 2010, 10:00-17:00 Uhr (dazwischen ca. 1 Stunde Mittagspause). Sonntag, 14. November 2010, 09:00-13:00 Uhr (dazwischen ca. ½ Stunde Pause). Gebühren: Ticket für Samstag 30,00 Euro / Ticket für Sonntag 20,00 Euro / Wochenendticket 40,00 Euro. Anmeldung: bis 06. November 2010 an carstencas@aol.com. Info: www.karate-goettschied.de. Haftung: Der Veranstalter und Ausrichter lehnt eine Haftung jeglicher Art ab. Bewirtung: Für das leibliche Wohl in der Halle ist gesorgt. Am Samstag ist ein gemeinsames Abendessen geplant. Übernachtung: www.idar-oberstein.de

21st of November 2010 - Falkirk, Scotland

On the 21st of November I'll be teaching a seminar in Falkirk. The time and venue are yet to be finalised. As soon as details are confirmed, details will be posted on the website and in the newsletter. For further details please email Craig Penman on craigpenman20@hotmail.com or call him on 07729922251. You can also write to Craig Penman, 68 Ochil View, Denny, Stirlingshire, FK6 5NH.

23rd of January 2011 – Ayr, Scotland

On the 23rd of January, I'll be teaching an open seminar hosted by the Musashi Karate Club. The theme will be flow drills from the Pinan / Heian series and two-person close range striking drills which can be done both with a partner and on the pads (focus mitts will be available for those who do not have their own). The seminar will run from 11am to 3pm and will be held in Alloway Primary School, Doonholm Road, Ayr, KA7 4QQ. The seminar will cost £20 per person and is open to all grades. Cheques (payable to Musashi Karate Club in advance to secure place) are to be sent to the following address: Jamie Gray, 29 Highpark Road, Coylton, KA6 6QL. For further details and to book your place, please contact Jamie Gray on Jamie@musashikarate.co.uk or 01292 571824 (evenings & weekends). www.musashikarate.co.uk

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

How to organise a seminar:

Organising a seminar is really simple. Contact Iain and let him know when you would like the seminar to take place. Iain will then let you know what dates he has available around that time and give you a price that includes all travel expenses etc. Iain charges per day, not per hour or per head. This means he is happy to teach for a little longer at no extra cost and that 100% of money over and above Iain's fees (and hall rent etc) goes to the host.

Once the date is in the diary, the host must decide if the seminar is to be for their own group only or if it is to be open to all (either is fine with Iain). If it is to be open to all, the host will need to provide Iain with contact details, cost for visitors (set by the host), payment details, etc. Iain will then promote the seminar on his website and newsletters. To help with local promotion, Iain can provide poster designs and images. On the day, Iain will turn up in good time for a prompt start and will not rush away at the end in order to ensure everyone has plenty of time to chat, take pictures, ask questions etc.

If you'd like Iain to visit your dojo, and you would like further details on how to go about organising a seminar, please call 01900829406; write to Iain Abernethy c/o NETH Publishing, PO Box 38, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 0GS, UK; or email: iain@iainabernethy.com