New FREE On-Line Magazine: Bleeding Edge

There is a brilliant new on-line martial arts magazine.  The best part is, it's FREE.  To find out more, visit their website at www.BleedingEdgeMag.com.  In the November issue, they have printed an article by myself and I'm expecting to have an article in the Dec edition. 

 

I highly recommend that you check out this magazine and register to receive it free.

DVD Review: Mixed TaeKwon & Skills Of Hapkido

9thDan.com are promoting 2 DVD's.  The first one is called Mixed Taekwon, which looks at applied Taekwondo, mixed with Hapkido.  An interesting but logical mix.  Here's a trailer for it:

 

 

The second DVD is called Skills Of Hapkido and here is a trailer for that one:

 

 

 

 

I have reviewed both of these DVD's, which you can read on the main Bunkai Jutsu blog.

Kata Bunkai for Nujishiho

In my last posting, I sent a video clip of Karate bunkai for a sequence from near the end of the kata: Nujishiho.  Last time I run out of memory on my SD card so I wasn't able to complete all the applications that I wanted to.  So here is a bit more kata bunkai for that same sequence:

 

 

You can see a fuller write up here:  http://bunkaijutsu.com/?p=971

Fw: Beyond Bunkai Now Available!

 Also worthy of note is Iain Abernethy's grappling program which is coming up early next year.  This will focus on grappling movements within kata bunkai.  Below is a section from Iain's own newsletter to tell you all about it.

 

Regards

 

Charlie

 

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Karate Grappling Program (Jan 2011 to May 2011)

 

It is now almost 10 years since “Karate’s Grappling Methods” was published! To mark this anniversary – and to meet requests I’ve been getting for some time for an in-depth program of learning – I’ve organised a special training course for all those who believe that karate should be a holistic and pragmatic system.

Starting in January of 2011, I will be running an in-depth training program on karate grappling for a limited number of people. The course will run for 5 months (1 full day per month) and people must be able to attend all days. The course will be certificated by me (see sample image), is open to just 20 people (1st come, 1st served) and will cover the following topics:

• How to Recognise Grappling in Kata

• Integrating Striking and Grappling

• Grappling when Weapons are involved

• Simple Gripping Skills

• Chokes and Strangles

• Effective Seizing and Gouging

• The Principles of Joint-Locking

• Throws and Takedowns (including the nine throws of Gichin Funakoshi)

• The Role of Grappling in Self-Protection

• Grappling and Multiple Opponents (i.e. how to get out of there and avoid grappling)

• Realistic Ground Fighting (i.e. do damage and get up)

• Traditional Karate Grappling Drills
 

The course will be open to all grades, will start in January of 2011, and will be certificated. This is a special course to mark the 10th anniversary of the Karate's Grappling Methods book and will be open to a maximum of 20 people.

 

More details can be found here:

 

http://iainabernethy.co.uk/news/karate-grappling-program-jan-2011-may-2011

 

Fw: Beyond Bunkai Now Available!

 Iain Abernethy is a master of grappling moves within kata bunkai.  He now has a new DVD just out called Beyond Bunkai.  Details are below from Iain himself so check it out.

 

Regards

 

Charlie

 

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Iain Abernethy - Newsletter

Sent: Friday, November 12, 2010 8:47 AM

Subject: Beyond Bunkai Now Available!

Beyond Bunkai DVD Now on Sale!

 

Hi All,

The new Beyond Bunkai DVD is now on sale! The DVD is for the more experienced bunkai practitioner who is ready to drill the applications of Naihanchi / Tekki Shodan in a flowing, unscripted and realistic way.

The drill makes use of applications for the entirety of Naihanchi / Tekki Shodan and progresses on nicely from the information presented in Bunkai-Jutsu 2 and The Masters Seminar: Seminars Vol. 3. If you are someone who has a solid grasp of bunkai training, I feel sure you’ll really enjoy this one.

The DVD presents the drill in a series of elements so that the drill can be advanced by adding in the additional elements as progress is made. If you read the “blurb” below you can find out more about the nature of the drill and the DVD.

As long term newsletter subscribers will know, we filmed this DVD earlier in the year and we are delighted to be able to bring it to you before Christmas! This is entirely due to the great job done by Harbour View Productions and Outpost Editing who pulled out all the stops to bring this DVD to you. The replicators have also done a great job and the DVD covers and disk images have came out great. Needless to say, I’m really happy to be able to get this one out to you all!

While many martial artists use the “my mate has a video camera” approach to DVD production, we always use professional people when filming and editing our DVDs. The results are always well worth it because a DVD made on the cheap looks cheap. Whereas a DVD that has cost thousands of pounds to produce looks like it has cost thousands of pounds to produce! As I say, I’m delighted with this one, both in terms of content and style, and I would rank it as my personal favourite.

As I say, I’m excited that the DVD is now available and I look forward to hearing what you all think about it!

All the best,

Iain

PS Thanks to all for the very kind words on the “My Stance on Stances” podcast! I appreciate it!
 

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Beyond Bunkai Now On Sale!

 

This DVD presents a unique non-scripted flow drill that includes all the motions found within Naihanchi / Tekki Shodan. Ideal for the more experienced bunkai practitioner, and essentially infinite in its variations, this drill shows the depth of Naihanchi / Tekki Shodan and includes gripping skills, head-butting, biting, gouging, seizing, locking, controlling limbs, chokes, cranks, takedowns and close-range kicking.

This drill is also unlike most flow drills in that it is not carefully scripted nor does it involve giving up a position of advantage so your partner can have their turn. The drill instead enables the practitioner to dominate at close-range, flow past any obstructions the enemy may present, safely escape, and practise applying the bunkai of the kata in a realistic context. This DVD also includes a breakdown of the kata itself and a discussion on the history of Naihanchi / Tekki Shodan.

Iain Abernethy is one of the world’s leading exponents of kata application and practical karate. He has been invited all over the globe to teach his approach and to help people return to the original combative nature of the traditional martial arts.

 

Please follow this link to purchase online: http://shop.iainabernethy.com/acatalog/DVDs_UK.html

 

Both PAL & NTSC versions (suitable for all regions) are available!

You will automatically be sent the right format for your country.

 

 

This new DVD costs just £24.99 (including UK shipping).

Rest of Europe +£1.50 / Rest of the World +£2.50

 

Please follow this link to purchase online: http://shop.iainabernethy.com/acatalog/DVDs_UK.html

 

Note: This DVD is not available as a download at this time. The download version is expected to be available in the spring of 2011.

 

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Buy 2 DVDs and select a 3rd for Free!
 

When you add the third DVD to your shopping cart, the website will automatically reduce the cost so that third DVD is for free!

 

Below are some suggested DVDs that will be ideal companions to Beyond Bunkai.
 

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Three DVDs that support Beyond Bunkai

 

Bunkai-Jutsu: Practical Kata Applications Volume 2 - Naihanchi / Tekki & Passai / Bassai-Dai (DVD)

Bunkai-Jutsu is the analysis of the karate katas (forms) and their application in real combat. The fighting applications of the katas is one of the most fascinating and sadly misunderstood aspects of karate practice.

Volume two covers Naihanchi (Tekki) and Passai (Bassai-Dai). Today, Naihanchi / Tekki is often undervalued due to its simplistic appearance. This DVD shows the highly effective close-range fighting applications of the form and reveals just why the kata was so highly regarded by the masters of old.

The second part of the program covers Passai / Bassai-Dai kata and demonstrates the strikes, throws, takedowns, locks, neck-cranks, chokes, combative strategies etc that have made this form one of the most popular in the history of karate.

http://shop.iainabernethy.com/acatalog/DVDs_UK.html

 

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Kata-Based-Sparring (DVD)

Kata and sparring are two essential elements of karate. The kata were created to record the techniques, concepts and methodology that the past masters used in civilian combat. However, in many modern Dojos sparring is now entirely based on the rules of competitive karate and therefore has little in common with the principles of traditional kata or the needs of self-protection.

In this unique DVD, karate expert lain Abernethy returns to a traditional approach to sparring, with the kata as its foundation. Learn the building blocks of lain's kata-based-sparring concept through the numerous live drills shown on this DVD, and gain the confidence and ability to apply the combative methods of the kata when it really counts.

http://shop.iainabernethy.com/acatalog/DVDs_UK.html

 

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The Masters Seminar: Seminars Vol. 3 (DVD)

This DVD records Iain's teaching at the Summersdale Master's Seminar in August 2005. This landmark seminar saw some of the UK's leading martial artists - from a variety of differing arts and styles - teach together for the very first time.

On this DVD you'll get to see Iain Abernethy 5th dan Karate (BCA & EKGB) teach a detailed session on covering and clinching. These vitally important close-range skills are a must for all martial artists, regardless of style or system.

Aside from the simplicity of the techniques themselves, what is remarkable is that Iain clearly shows how the techniques taught are found within Naihanchi / Tekki kata! This aspect of Iain's teaching enthralled both karateka and non-karateka alike. No other DVD on the market shows how Naihanchi / Tekki records all aspects of fighting from a clinch. Indeed, this aspect of the kata has never even been previously presented in Iain's own works!

The techniques shown include covering, clinching, taking away the opponent's weapons, escaping from the clinch, striking from a clinch, countering an opponent's grip and more! All aspects of clinch fighting are covered and this DVD is a must watch for any martial artist wishing to enhance their understanding close-range combat.

 

http://shop.iainabernethy.com/acatalog/DVDs_UK.html

 

Fw: Learn Slow vs Learn Fast

For anybody who not on Russell Stutely's mailing list, then I recommend that you click here to go over to his site and sign up.  Russell is an expert at pressure point fighting within Kata Bunkai.  Every now and then you get little snippets of useful information like the message below from Russell's latest newsletter.

 

Regards

 

Charlie

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: "Russell Stutely" <russell@russellstutely.com>

Subject: Learn Slow vs Learn Fast

> Learn Slow to Learn Fast!
>
> Why do I say that you have to go slow to learn?
>
> Well, it's a bit obvious isn't it?
>
> Let's take a simple example:
>
> You are new to Boxing and the Coach tells you that he is going to
> teach you a Jab.
>
> He demonstrates it at full speed and power and tells you to "copy
> that" and walks off to the next student.
>
> Are you going to understand all the nuances of a good jab?
>
> Compare that with a Coach that explains all the consituent parts
> of the Jab, footwork, balance, distance, timing arm position, body
> position etc ec
>
> He then explains the mechanics of the Jab and how it should feel
>
> He then tells you to practice it very slowly as you are just
> learning HOW to do the movement at the moment.
>
> You are then watched and instructed how to increase the speed and
> the power and how to then TRAIN the jab once you have LEARNT it
> slowly.
>
> Which method do you think is best?
>
> Who do you think will teach you the quickest?
>
> That, my friend is why we learn slowly.
>
> That is why I can transform your Martial Arts.
>
> That is why I can make you a Pressure Point Fighting Expert.
>
> Till next time
>
> All the best
>
>
> Russell
>
>
>
>
> Russell Stutely Productions
> Helping you become a Pressure Point Expert
> The Store: www.russellstutely.com/ashop/index.php
> Members Area: www.russellstutely.com/blog
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Kata bunkai Nijushiho

There is a new posting on my main blog looking at kata bunkai for the Nijushiho.  This looks at the rather unusual sequence near the end performed in horse stance where you elbow strike upwards, shuffle in with a punch and then shuffle back with a lower block.  At least this is the Shotokan Karate version.  If you do this sequence differently in your style, then please visit the blog and tell us about it.

 

See it here at:  http://bunkaijutsu.com/?p=846

 

Charlie

Karate Bunkai: Sochin kata

Here's more karate bunkai, this time looking at Sochin kata.  I've forwarded videos by these people before, and I love their style of presentation.

 

Review: Inside Bassai Dai

The following is a review of my my new DVD: Inside Bassai Dai.  It is by Matt Apsokardu, 4th Dan Okinawan Kenpo Karate from his website www.ikigaiway.com.  You can find the full review at:  

http://www.ikigaiway.com/2010/review-inside-bassai-dai/.

Here it is:

 

As long time readers here know, I have a great passion and interest in Bunkai. Bunkai is the application and inspection of meaning in kata, and to me it is as integral as the movements themselves.

Recently I got a chance to watch a new work by Charlie Wildish and Keith McKay Cormack entitled "Inside Bassai Dai".

Wildish operates the blog Bunkai Jutsu and decided to create a DVD entailing his breakdown of the kata Bassai Dai. In the video Wildish is joined by his friend and 'partner in crime' Keith McKay Cormack. The interesting thing about this duo is the diverse backgrounds they bring together, Wildish a Sandan in Shotokan Karate and Cormack a student of Choy Li Fut Kung Fu.

The video is staged in front of an unadorned yet attractive stone wall, which seems to set the mood of the entire video. Wildish and Cormack are friendly and down to Earth in their explanations, yet stay very focused on the task at hand, wasting little time in frivolity.

Wildish begins by demonstrating the kata from multiple angles, then breaking down each segment into possible explanations. Following Wildish is Cormack who demonstrates how the idea of the technique appears in his Chinese background, and how he might approach bunkai from a Kung Fu perspective. It is enjoyable to actively see the similarities and differences played out.

This video is unpretentious, straight forward, and focused on content instead of flashiness. As such I feel it does justice to the spirit of Karate.

**************

As a bonus I was also able to check out Wildish's "10 Kicking Tips", which guides the viewer not through specific kicks, but through some of the basic physics and ideas that make kicking effective. This DVD was also an enjoyable watch, especially as Wildish described ways in which kicks can be thrown in a true straight line.

All in all I would recommend these resources to individuals who either study Bassai Dai or are looking to enhance their overall understanding of Bunkai. The procedures used in these DVDs are sound fundamentally and can be relied upon to elicit positive results.

Gojushiho Kata Bunkai

Here's a look at Gojushiho kata bunkai by Matt Apsokardu, 4th Dan Okinawan Kenpo Karate.  Being a Shotokan stylist, I always like to see the Okinawan interprutations of Karate bunkai as it goes back closer to the true roots.

 

New DVD: Inside Bassai Dai: Promotional Video

This a promotional video for our new DVD, Inside Bassai Dai, which looks at the kata: Bassai Dai and the kata bunkai.

 

Please check it out and if you like it, pass it on to your friends.