One of Karate’s Great Strengths … which is often overlooked!

www.iainabernethy.co.uk/ In this video I discuss what I feel is one of karate’s greatest strengths, and it would seem to be one that is often overlooked by many karateka.
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[@AncientWandering]

I used to be the kohai of my class (the new kohai just turned 50) , my other classmates are in their 60s & 70s. This was a strictly Shotokan Club and we all decided to cross train in Goju Ryu about 3 years ago. One of my sempai ,who has more than 20 years in Shotokan, just made Shodan in Goju Ryu at 74. She's my hero!

[@TheKanystrom]

This is so very true Iain. Great that you point it out! In our dojo (Karlstad karate, Inoue-ha Shito-ryu, Sweden), the point you're making is realized every single day: All ages and all grades/experience levels train _together_. One might think that having a ten-year-old white belt training side-by-side with a 20-year-old brown belt, and a 55-year-old fourth dan would be problematic, but I see only positive aspects of it. And it shines the light on the fact that karate is - truly - from the cradle to the grave. It has the added benefit of allowing kids and their parents to train at the same time, together, forming one happy (and motivated) karate family. Osu! 🙏

[@squashcourtdojo]

Iain, such a good observation, once again! 35 years into my karate journey, I've certainly transitioned through similar phases.... a decade on sparring, an increasing focus on kata bunkai, started teaching, and presently discovering much harder training methods (muay thai influences are undeniable). Kata remained the central connector for me, too. Am looking forward to doing those in a garden when I'm real old, one day, hopefully 😊

[@xride64]

I've been at this from the late 80s...I turned 59 last year...for me the history...lineage...and staying fit enough to remain dangerous thru my 60s...it is who I am....like the t shirt saids it's not a hobby it's a lifestyle...thank you as always for your insights!

[@Ash-Man07]

Couldn’t agree more with you Iain! This truly is one of the most beautiful things about karate. I as a young adult wish to grow old teaching, practicing, and still learning karate in a practical self defense based manner which is what it was intended for! Awesome video as always Iain.

[@MikesDadvice]

I am only a couple years younger than you...I also have a 3 year old son, and I have recently started teaching him Karate...I love how it can span generations

[@YoukaiSlayer12]

Great work as always, I strongly agree.

[@GermanSausagesAreTheWurst]

I think your principles of deciphering Kata can help make any style better. I wouldn't mind seeing a video about using your principles to help other styles besides Karate. I do Tai Chi, and I use your principles of how to decipher a Kata to find applications that are forgotten.

[@practicalkatabunkai]

That’s awesome! Good to hear! I don’t really know enough about the forms of such arts, so I tend to keep my focus on karate and the arts that are linked to it. I’d watch a video on the principles of Tai Chi forms, but I am not the right person to make it. Delighted that what I do has proved useful to you though!

[@ascaniosobrero]

Fully agree! I started karate about 40 years ago, when playing tennis more than a couple times a week was no longer possible because of my job, so I had to find something else interesting. The idea was to do something where I could learn every time. So no running or weight lifting or the like. And I am sure, as I was, that if I manage to keep practicing for as many years as I can I will always have something more to learn. Within karate the specific topic of interest shifts with time, as you mentioned, but I am not seeing an end as yet

[@mogamobo]

Thanks for your Thoughts. Always a pleasure!

[@JHerrND]

Practice, practice, practice develops muscle memory.

[@gachabell7943]

I could demonstrate the bunkais of the Jion, Shorinryu and Unsu, Shotokan kata. They both have moves that I don't understand 🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@greggriffiths9053]

I was a heavy smoker before I started karate and I knew I couldn't smoke and train still a non smoker years later and still training karrate changed my life .

[@bekacg54]

Overall, a very good presentation. I believe that you dismissed the capability of Tai Chi to appeal to someone interested in the martial aspect because a lot of old folks do it for health ( to paraphrase you). Tai Chi is very martially oriented but it offers a health aspect for those desiring something easier on the body. I started Tai Chi to recuperate from back surgery. I have taken many of those lessons to enhance my karate. I encourage you to explore the great lessons Tai Chi teaches. It is my baseline in my current recovery from surgery. Keep Training!

[@practicalkatabunkai]

I think the view I was expressing may have been lost in the paraphrasing :-) I agree Tai Chi can be practised martially. No dispute there. It was not the "martial aspect" I was talking about, but a competitive format that would appal to younger adults. My point was Tai Chi does not have a competitive format that is as widespread or well known as boxing, MMA, BJJ, etc. It is therefore not going to appeal to the 20 something who wants to test themselves in the combat sports that have standing within their peer group. A 20 something who wants to fight competitively is unlikely to choose Tai Chi. That’s not a slight on Tai Chi, simply a refection on what we see as being popular withing certain demographics. Karate practitioners would seem to have a slightly wider range of competitive formats to choose from - karateka competing on points, full contact, kudo, MMA, etc - but it would still not be as popular as boxing, MMA, BJJ withing the 20 something age bracket. Again, no slight on karate, just an observation on what is popular with given demographics.

[@entelektuel.yolculuk]

Hello sir Iain; How 'bout if a person whom we're not unsure of their intentions about is coming to us from a far distance by saying Stop, come here, or by saying that they wanna ask us something? In that situation, is it the best to tell them to stop and ask/say whatever they're gonna say from a 1-2 meter distance and give signals to them to stay on a good distance , or should we directly run away, from a self-defence perspective?? Thanx fer everything. Respect from Turkey

[@malachydevlin7809]

Good point, I did BJJ recently (I’m 48), I was the oldest in the class (usually double the age of most). I finally quit because it’s not age appropriate. It’s too sore on the body and it was just leaving me worthless for a day after it. I thought.. what’s the point? To what end?

[@andreipacurariu2013]

Great video Iain! Do you have any plans for a seminar in the Netherlands or Germany in 2024?

[@practicalkatabunkai]

I do! Details are on the website.

[@liorsilberman6757]

Taiji is enormously physically challenging: at the same level as karate. Most people don't practice it as a martial art, so you don't see that aspect as much, but it's there.

[@liorsilberman6757]

You could say, however, that Taiji doesn't have much to offer kids -- there karate is much better.

[@practicalkatabunkai]

I have no doubt of that based on my interactions with Tai Chi practitioners. However, the widespread perception is that things like MMA, Boxing, BJJ, etc are more demanding and therefore have a higher standing within the 20 to 30 demographic I was discussing. While there is kudos and standing among that demographic for those that do compete in demanding combat sports, I think it would be fair to say there is not the same kudos among the 20 to 30 demographic for those that practise Tai Chi. That’s not a slight on Tai Chi, but an observation of the demographic being discussed. It would also be fair to say that karate does not have the same standing as the aforementioned combat sports. The points-based competition format certainly does not have the same kudos as MMA, Boxing, BJJ, etc. but it’s not unheard of for karateka in that age range to compete in full contact, MMA, Kudo, etc. The fact a number of high-level MMA fighters have a karate background helps in this regard when it comes to appealing to that age range. I am unaware of any of them having a Tai Chi background. There would seem to be a need for many 20- to 30-year-olds to test / prove themselves in ways that have standing among their peer group. While MMA, Boxing, BJJ, etc. are very good at meeting that need, they arguably have less appeal to those in other age brackets who have differing needs and goals. Karate is good at appealing across the various age brackets due to the various ways in which it is practised. That is not to say other arts can’t do the same thing, but it again comes down to the way these things are perceived. Those who are older, would have little hesitation taking up Tai Chi or karate, but they are unlikely to take up MMA or Boxing due to the exact same perceptions that make it appeal to the 20 to 30 demographic. No slight is intended to any of the aforementioned systems, but I think the way they are perceived - as discussed in the video - would hold true. All the best, Iain

[@liorsilberman6757]

Thanks for the long reply, Iain! I agree karate has a lot to offer -- I train karate myself, and am very grateful for the insights you post here. But you are entirely right regarding public perception.

[@MasterPoucksBestMan]

I think that kali/eskrima and some forms of fencing are also in the same boat with karate here, but maybe that's just my bias because I do all three. Younger fencers and eskrimadors can go hard but older practitioners can focus on the improvement of understanding of technique, angles, etc.

[@johncasarino5627]

same with kung fu

[@bharadwaj091]

Yess.. karate has different versions from different ages. But self defence aspect is the essence of karate and learning kata bunkai should be made Mandatory for any age and if they learn it in younger age they will have time to make those bunkai their own or modify it to their own comfort.

[@ruiseartalcorn]

I agree! :)

[@laperrablanca1]

Great insights, Iain sensei!!! So true . You can practice karate at virtually every age. But, you should adapt your karate to your age and stage of development. As a karate instructor told me recently "stop trying to imitate your 20 years old daughter, start doing ‏‪your karate!"

[@entelektuel.yolculuk]

Hello sir Iain, Do ye think that Shaolin kungfu is radically different than Japanese martial arts (in aspect of fighting techniques) or do ye think that Kungfu's, say striking techniques all comes down to the striking techniques of karate and ninjutsu?? Or do ye think that grappling-locking techniques involved in Shaolin are the same as that of Aikido, at the core??? I mean, maybe a B version of the question can be like this, in order explain the same problem in a different way: We say kihon in karate, right? So those are approximately 30, maybe 40 kind of.... Therefore, can we say that all complicated and allotted phased techniques in all martial arts can be derivated from these 30-40 techniques??? So I feel like yer answer to that would be along the lines of "strikings - yes, pure blocks - yes, some grappling-lockings - yes. But not all throwing and locking techniques can be derivated from kihons only." In that case, the question would evolve to sth like: Is then saying sth like these 40-45 kihons involve attacks, pure-blocks, some locks/throws that are intertwining with Aikido and Judo; AND if we add up lockings from Aikido and 40 throws from Judo, then; by using these AS elements; can it be then possible to derivate all the techniques with continuity from these??? I hope the question is understandable 😢 Thanx, me respects....

[@3Pillers]

👍

[@seamusnaughton8217]

Need your help.done karate for 20 years lhave big problem my girlfriend from china she does wing chun she wantsx me to give up karate mainley bacause china does not like japan shes very good she can trap my hand and sraight blast cahin punch nyy face put lf lspar with her lcan catch her with backfist take guard up reverse puch take lt down score round house pat makay jeff thompson worild chapions used this do you think you can leave art that you given 20 years of life to for your girlfriend what wouild you do lf you were in my position live london for 9 yeres put my master was 7 dan japnese head of temple karate centre birmingham he died of cancer my mum and dad died so lcame to londom met my girlfriend from china we going out 2 years

[@practicalkatabunkai]

I really can’t give relationship advice. It’s not my field of expertise. I do know I would want to be in a relationship with someone who would accept me for me and appreciate what is important to me. I'm not you though and it may be helpful to talk this through with friends and family who know you both better.

[@juliocesarsalazargarcia6872]

It is selfish that she ask you to drop your karate. It is inmarure also. It is a red flag. Is a bad sign that could mean she could ask for other unfair changes in the future, slowly transforming you into her pupet and into something you may not like. Her "reasons" are shallow. Every culture has done realy bad things and realy good things in the past. Every culture with no exceptions. The smart and moral thing to do is to learn and accept the good stuff and reject the bad stuff of each and every culture in the world. Should we reject everything german just because of their nazi past? I don't think so. Should black people reject everything european just because of the slavery in the past? That would isolate them from science and great artistic and cultural achievements from human kind, it would be so silly and resentful. Should we isolate from any chinese good stuff just because china has done bad stuff to tibet? I don't think so. We should not isolate ourselves from japanesse good stuff just because Japan (just as any other culture) has done bad stuff to someone else in the past. That would be cancelation culture and is stupid. Take the good stuff no matter where it comes from, reject the bad stuff no matter where it comes from (even if it comes from your own culture or your girlfriend) and be open to more good stuff even if it comes from a culture that has done something evil in the past, just as any other culture.

[@dermotrooney9584]

Some clever person needs to make proper codgers karate. Iain?

[@sophiesong447]

Iain, I love your insights - but please, don't use AI generated images for your thumbnails. There are many ethical issues with it. AI generates images by using human artists' work as data sets to imitate. Many of these artists did not consent to having their work used in those data sets - it's pretty much theft. It's like if someone were to use your videos and the videos of other karate practitioners and jumble them up into videos about martial arts, without any of their own original input or insights. Could you imagine if all of our martial arts content was AI generated from what was popular in karate circles? This would mean that we would never get your original insights on bunkai. We would not have the "practical karate revolution" we're seeing right now. Original human insight keeps things fresh and makes things more valuable. As AI is right now, It's not original, it's not a good look, and it hampers the ability of artists to make a living off of their art. Stock images and artist commissions are always an option

[@practicalkatabunkai]

Thanks for raising the issue. I certainly believe that people should be compensated for their work. How AI will impact on the world and how to manage it is beyond my pay grade. I don’t know enough about it. I don’t know how these images were generated, but I don’t think they would be close to anything generated by an individual? If anyone knows different, then please let me know so I can give details of where I got them from (so they can follow up) and so I can change the thumbnail. I personally made changes too. If they are the same as ones made by people, or close, then they should not have been presented to me and I would not use them.

[@jeffreyhotchkiss9451]

I agree, at age 68, with Iain's insights. All I remember is one complete Sanchin kata -- but that's enough to make a big difference - as long as I practice. I also emphatically agree about the AI images. The entire field is deeply problematic, for many reasons, but the original sin is as Sophie says - the databases are built from expropriation of others' original work, whether text or image. Multiple lawsuits are in progress. Beyond the copyright infringement, we are as a society allowing Silicon Valley to dictate and control what it means to be human, in community. So-called "AI" (it really isn't, but that's the hype) is yet another, very large, obstacle to that. By its nature, it serves profit, not people. And we are all the poorer for it.

[@rangda_prime]

@@practicalkatabunkai AI images are made by software which trawls the internet for data - in this case images - and collates them into a mix to produce what you ask for. This means that the data is taken from human artists without their consent. And when people use image AI or Chatbots, they are giving free labour to the companies owning them, effectively training their software without pay. There's huge problems with this and debates in the field and legislation about if this should even be legal, and even if money wins out, it'll still arguably be immoral. Chatbots for example have already caused massive layoffs in translation companies, with only a small amount of humans kept on to double check the work the software does.

[@practicalkatabunkai]

Thanks for giving me something to think about. As I say, I really don’t know enough about it to have a view. I totally agree that the copyright of anyone’s work should be respected. However, I don’t know if AI generating totally different images would count as an infringement of that copyright. I’m not saying it doesn’t. I am saying I don’t know. If a human drew an elderly karateka, then it’s always going to look like an elderly person in a gi. If it was a direct copy of someone’s work, then it’s clear it’s an infringement of copyright. It would be the same if AI did it. I don’t know if it’s an entirely new image. Tolkien drew inspiration from Norse myths, so does that mean he’s a plagiarist when it is an entirely new story? What about others who read Tolkien and were inspired to write their own stories in that genre? Is a general theme or genre to be owned by one single person? At what point does inspiration become plagiarism? Does it matter if it’s human or machine that does it? I have no idea. I would be miffed if someone took my work and reproduced it unaltered, but I know plenty of people have been inspired by what I do and have used it to create their own material and made their own unique contribution to karate as a result. Totally fine with that. Indeed, it is something I have helped many of them to do. If a computer did it, would I feel differently? I’m not sure one way or the other. I did look for photo images that would give me what I wanted (searching the usual paid for libraries), but there were not any … which is why I tried free AI. I can’t afford bespoke illustrations for KZbin. No point paying hundreds of pounds for a video thumbnail when the video itself will generate a few pounds each at best. The images needed serious editing because they were pretty poor as was (six fingers on hands, belts with three ends, confusion between what was sleeve and arm, etc). Free AI can’t do what illustrators can at the moment, but it did enough for me this time. I can see there are lots of ethical and economic questions around this, but I don’t know what the answer is? We could all stop using AI images to ensure human illustrators are the only ones that can make them. If we do that, where do we draw the line? Shall we all quit KZbin to support traditional broadcasters? Stop reading online news to support print media? I don’t want to see anyone out of work, or unfairly compensated, but how can we be ethically consistent in the face of an ever-changing society? Is this just a case of changing technology continuing to impact society (as it has since the industrial revolution) or something different? In either case, what do we do? I have never thought about this before, but I can see how there is a sea of questions around it. I don’t have enough information or enough exposure to competing views decide what I think at the moment. Thanks for posing the question and pointing me in the right direction.