Iain Abernethy
@iainabernethy.bsky.social
lain Abernethy is a leading exponent of applied karate & kata bunkai. lain's website (iainabernethy.com) is very popular with practical karateka.
In this video, I discuss core throwing principles. “Old school” karate has a lot of throws and takedowns within it. A set of solid throws, based on solid principles, should be part of the arsenal of all pragmatic karateka. WATCH HERE: youtu.be/rkVfz04xpSE
Karate Throwing Principles
YouTube video by practicalkatabunkai
youtu.be
February 4, 2026 at 3:51 PM
In this video, I discuss core throwing principles. “Old school” karate has a lot of throws and takedowns within it. A set of solid throws, based on solid principles, should be part of the arsenal of all pragmatic karateka. WATCH HERE: youtu.be/rkVfz04xpSE
On my way home from a fun weekend in Burgdorf! Great to catch up with everyone! Nijushiho bunkai, flow drills (full kata), and related pad drills. A great weekend with likeminded karateka. Thanks everyone! Loved it!
February 1, 2026 at 7:23 PM
On my way home from a fun weekend in Burgdorf! Great to catch up with everyone! Nijushiho bunkai, flow drills (full kata), and related pad drills. A great weekend with likeminded karateka. Thanks everyone! Loved it!
Always great to teach with Les Bubka! Functions of stances, critical thinking, alternate approaches, debunking myths, angles in kata, tactical positioning, drilling bunkai, and a host of drills to support all of the aforementioned aspects. Les always teaches in a thoughtful and enjoyable way.
January 25, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Always great to teach with Les Bubka! Functions of stances, critical thinking, alternate approaches, debunking myths, angles in kata, tactical positioning, drilling bunkai, and a host of drills to support all of the aforementioned aspects. Les always teaches in a thoughtful and enjoyable way.
An awesome day teaching alongside John Johnson 8th dan! Main themes were power generation, the various ways limbs can be controlled and manipulated, and the use of methods in Tensho. A very enthusiastic group! Thanks everyone!
January 24, 2026 at 7:01 PM
An awesome day teaching alongside John Johnson 8th dan! Main themes were power generation, the various ways limbs can be controlled and manipulated, and the use of methods in Tensho. A very enthusiastic group! Thanks everyone!
Congratulations to Timo Salmivalli of Finland for gaining his 5th dan last week! Timo is a thoughtful, experienced and highly capable martial artist. He and his team are recommended if you’re based in and around Turku.
January 21, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Congratulations to Timo Salmivalli of Finland for gaining his 5th dan last week! Timo is a thoughtful, experienced and highly capable martial artist. He and his team are recommended if you’re based in and around Turku.
First time in Slovenia this weekend and it was awesome! Good to meet up with friends old and new as we explored Pinan / Heian bunkai, live drills / sparring, and pad drills. Thank you for a great weekend! Loved it!
January 18, 2026 at 6:09 PM
First time in Slovenia this weekend and it was awesome! Good to meet up with friends old and new as we explored Pinan / Heian bunkai, live drills / sparring, and pad drills. Thank you for a great weekend! Loved it!
Awesome to meet up with everyone in Grünwald this weekend! Kata principles, decoding kata, and pad drills. It was great fun and I’m very grateful to everyone for their enthusiasm and deep questions. A fantastic way to kick off my martial year!
January 11, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Awesome to meet up with everyone in Grünwald this weekend! Kata principles, decoding kata, and pad drills. It was great fun and I’m very grateful to everyone for their enthusiasm and deep questions. A fantastic way to kick off my martial year!
Me (left) and my two youngest daughters, and one of the cats … as envisioned and created by the youngest out of the clay their uncle and aunt got them for Christmas. I’m impressed!
January 3, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Me (left) and my two youngest daughters, and one of the cats … as envisioned and created by the youngest out of the clay their uncle and aunt got them for Christmas. I’m impressed!
Follow link for upcoming seminars in the UK, Germany, Finland, Slovenia, etc! iainabernethy.com/seminar-dates
Seminars - Iain Abernethy
Discover upcoming seminars conducted by Iain Abernethy, a leading authority in martial arts and self-defense. Enhance your skills and knowledge through hands-on training and expert guidance.
iainabernethy.com
December 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Follow link for upcoming seminars in the UK, Germany, Finland, Slovenia, etc! iainabernethy.com/seminar-dates
Happy Christmas everyone! Thanks for all the support over the last year! Have a well earned rest and I look forward to seeing you back on the dojo floor next year! 🥋🎅🏼👊🏻
December 25, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Happy Christmas everyone! Thanks for all the support over the last year! Have a well earned rest and I look forward to seeing you back on the dojo floor next year! 🥋🎅🏼👊🏻
NEW YOUTUBE VIDEO: In this video I discuss three things that can hamper your progress and enjoyment of the martial arts. These are mindset issues that are best avoided. View HERE: youtu.be/nDzZqoYy3es
Three things that can hamper your progress and enjoyment of the martial arts.
YouTube video by practicalkatabunkai
youtu.be
December 21, 2025 at 2:22 PM
NEW YOUTUBE VIDEO: In this video I discuss three things that can hamper your progress and enjoyment of the martial arts. These are mindset issues that are best avoided. View HERE: youtu.be/nDzZqoYy3es
I was looking through an old hard drive yesterday and found this short clip of young Iain helping with a demonstration at BCA course from way back. Peter Consterdine (one of my instructors) doing the teaching.
December 17, 2025 at 8:09 PM
I was looking through an old hard drive yesterday and found this short clip of young Iain helping with a demonstration at BCA course from way back. Peter Consterdine (one of my instructors) doing the teaching.
A “throw away” technical drill we did as a cool down at a recent class. The aim was to combine a number of limb-control and redirection methods in one drill for the kyu grades. A more detailed breakdown is available in the “iain abernethy” app. 2000+ hours of exclusive content that is updated weekly
December 15, 2025 at 9:43 PM
A “throw away” technical drill we did as a cool down at a recent class. The aim was to combine a number of limb-control and redirection methods in one drill for the kyu grades. A more detailed breakdown is available in the “iain abernethy” app. 2000+ hours of exclusive content that is updated weekly
Thanks to everyone in Dundee today! We explored the trapping, locking and close-range striking elements of the Pinan / Heian series and how they integrate. Thanks to Kizuna Karate for hosting!
December 14, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Thanks to everyone in Dundee today! We explored the trapping, locking and close-range striking elements of the Pinan / Heian series and how they integrate. Thanks to Kizuna Karate for hosting!
Congratulations to Chris Oswin (1st dan), Nick Smith (2nd dan), Scott Flynn (2nd dan) and Martin Muir (3rd dan) on their grading success today! A special mention to Ryan Butterfield (instructor) who drove across the country straight off the nightshift for the 8am start! They did great!
December 12, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Congratulations to Chris Oswin (1st dan), Nick Smith (2nd dan), Scott Flynn (2nd dan) and Martin Muir (3rd dan) on their grading success today! A special mention to Ryan Butterfield (instructor) who drove across the country straight off the nightshift for the 8am start! They did great!
Congratulations to Eddie Cahill and Rory Connellen on gaining their 3rd dans last weekend! Solid kihon, kata, bunkai, sparring, etc. Well done both!
December 1, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Congratulations to Eddie Cahill and Rory Connellen on gaining their 3rd dans last weekend! Solid kihon, kata, bunkai, sparring, etc. Well done both!
I had a great weekend in Kilkenny! Thanks to Kilkenny Shotokan for making it happen and for all who supported the event. Tekki Shodan open flow drills, gripping and limb-control, and Heian Nidan open flow drills. It was a blast! Thank you!
November 30, 2025 at 4:39 PM
I had a great weekend in Kilkenny! Thanks to Kilkenny Shotokan for making it happen and for all who supported the event. Tekki Shodan open flow drills, gripping and limb-control, and Heian Nidan open flow drills. It was a blast! Thank you!
NEW YOUTUBE VIDEO! In this video I cover bunkai and a flow drill for Tekki Nidan / Naihanchi Nidan. The footage recorded at Christian Wedewardt’s castle retreat in July 2025. WATCH HERE: youtu.be/ErfwYdrDExI
Tekki / Naihanchi Nidan Bunkai and Flow Drill
YouTube video by practicalkatabunkai
youtu.be
November 26, 2025 at 6:17 PM
NEW YOUTUBE VIDEO! In this video I cover bunkai and a flow drill for Tekki Nidan / Naihanchi Nidan. The footage recorded at Christian Wedewardt’s castle retreat in July 2025. WATCH HERE: youtu.be/ErfwYdrDExI
Thanks to all in Swansea today! Advanced Pinan / Heian drills were the theme. I appreciate everyone digging deep and getting to grips with it all. Thanks for all the great questions and insightful observations too. Well done everyone!
November 23, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Thanks to all in Swansea today! Advanced Pinan / Heian drills were the theme. I appreciate everyone digging deep and getting to grips with it all. Thanks for all the great questions and insightful observations too. Well done everyone!
A great day in Didcot looking at power generation, hitting on the move, and various types of pad drills. You did a great job, folks! I was seeing good stuff and hearing lots of satisfying “BOOMS!” :-) Thanks to Grove Martial Arts for organising and for help with demos!
November 22, 2025 at 4:25 PM
A great day in Didcot looking at power generation, hitting on the move, and various types of pad drills. You did a great job, folks! I was seeing good stuff and hearing lots of satisfying “BOOMS!” :-) Thanks to Grove Martial Arts for organising and for help with demos!
One of the pad drills from a recent class.
November 17, 2025 at 8:49 PM
One of the pad drills from a recent class.
An awesome weekend in Castlebar! Flow drills for Pinan / Heian Sandan, Saifa, Tekki / Naihanchi Shodan and Nidan. Thanks to everyone who participated and Yotoshinkai Karate Club for organising! It was a ton of fun!
November 17, 2025 at 7:15 PM
An awesome weekend in Castlebar! Flow drills for Pinan / Heian Sandan, Saifa, Tekki / Naihanchi Shodan and Nidan. Thanks to everyone who participated and Yotoshinkai Karate Club for organising! It was a ton of fun!
Congratulations to Eddie Doyle (5th dan) and Daniel Dubaj (2nd dan) on their successful gradings today! Strong performance throughout the combinations, kata, pad-drills, sparring, etc. A solid knowledge of bunkai and kata principles too. Well done!
November 14, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Congratulations to Eddie Doyle (5th dan) and Daniel Dubaj (2nd dan) on their successful gradings today! Strong performance throughout the combinations, kata, pad-drills, sparring, etc. A solid knowledge of bunkai and kata principles too. Well done!
Congratulations to Frankenthal Shotokan on their 40th anniversary! A most enjoyable weekend! Good fun, good conversations and good company!
November 9, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Congratulations to Frankenthal Shotokan on their 40th anniversary! A most enjoyable weekend! Good fun, good conversations and good company!
On Sunday the 14th of December 2025 I will be teaching an open seminar in Dundee! The theme will be the overlooked trapping, locking and striking elements of the Pinan / Heian kata! iainabernethy.com/events/semin...
Seminar in Dundee! - Iain Abernethy
On Sunday the 14th of December 2025 I will be teaching an open seminar in Dundee! The theme will be the overlooked trappi...
iainabernethy.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:50 PM
On Sunday the 14th of December 2025 I will be teaching an open seminar in Dundee! The theme will be the overlooked trapping, locking and striking elements of the Pinan / Heian kata! iainabernethy.com/events/semin...