Iain Abernethy???

[blacktiger]

Hi All

Was wondering, how many of you rate Iain Abernethy's works.

Regards Bunkai he has a point but so do many others around the world.

I seem to think that the main thing that is discussed are the Pinan Kata etc at Seminars etc but for me Its not relevant to me anymore

What are your views etc

[GJEC]

Iain's a nice guy and personally very capable.

I don't like bunkai though. Too complex for me.

I've met more champions that could deck someone than I have bunkai experts that could emerge unscathed from the British Open or Sabaki Challenge.

So the question has to be asked: If they'd struggle to cope in an environment where only agreed targets are attacked, why do they feel it makes them more capable of handling an unpredictable maniac?



Gary

[blacktiger]

YES agreed Iain is a nice guy, I've met and trained with him, it's more about ethics and ethos and training focus here.

[MMX]

I like that he is exploring it as it seems the true answer may be in there somewhere but I am more on Gary's point.

[meguro]

If Iain held a seminar close enough for me to attend, I would go. I think he would be an interesting guy to have a beer and a chat with. I don't think he has all the answers, but I think he is making an honest effort to find the truth.

[GJEC]

Nov 6, 2013 16:00:00 GMT -5 meguro said:

If Iain held a seminar close enough for me to attend, I would go. I think he would be an interesting guy to have a beer and a chat with. I don't think he has all the answers, but I think he is making an honest effort to find the truth.

Agreed. I've trained with him at Peter Consterdines training days and he's a real big hitter. I find it even harder to believe he'd actually use something complex as he definitely has ample power to knock someone out. He is a real craftsman though, no doubt about that.

Gary

[meguro]

I don't believe Abernathy would use something complex instead of punching or headbutting a guy to sleep. He seems by your accounts, a practical guy, Gary. Besides, SP isn't a time for show-boating. I do think that if the fight isn't settled quickly, say if both parties were equally matched, somebody is going to start grabbing. Once you start tugging on a hank of hair, a sleeve or a lapel, anything can happen.

[GJEC]

Absolutely. I like Enshin as it uses grabbing and reminds me a lot of the dojo fighting I was brought up on where - within reason - anything was fair game.

So we're on the same wavelength here. My main doubt in the bunkai approach is that when people take it too far it overcomplicates the training process.

Terry Brown, author of the excellent 'English Martial Arts' has a great expression: "Simplicity is efficiency's best friend"

Gary

[meguro]

Nov 6, 2013 16:42:50 GMT -5 GJEC said:

Absolutely. I like Enshin as it uses grabbing and reminds me a lot of the dojo fighting I was brought up on where - within reason - anything was fair game.

So we're on the same wavelength here. My main doubt in the bunkai approach is that when people take it too far it overcomplicates the training process.

Terry Brown, author of the excellent 'English Martial Arts' has a great expression: Simplicity is efficiency's best friend"

Gary

I like to think we agree.

[GJEC]

I'm always uneasy when anyone quotes other instructors to reinforce their arguments. I'm sure I've probably done so myself but I do notice some bunkai instructors respond to questions with "(insert hero here) said blah di blah"

It makes me wonder if they have actually had many encounters themselves? The advice given may be sound, but when someone is telling me "sport doesn't work" etc I'd be more comfortable with their opinion if it was learnt in the field rather than recycled.

Gary

PS not meaning anyone on KDF

[shugyo]

Proof is on the floor. With Bunkai, that too, must be. Effectively applied knowledge is what's needed when Bunkai/Oyo is concerned, and when it's ignored, nothing is effective. What drives me crazy is when one, in a two man drill, the Uke, will just stand there and allow everything to work. That's impractical across the board, because, in real life, my attackers not just going to stand there complacent and all. In a learning situation, well, that's to be expected to learn. Other than that, No. My attackers going to try everything and anything to get my attention in ways I'd rather not experience.

I believe in Bunkai/Oyo!!