Summary: <p> <img alt="" src="/sites/default/files/file_attach/images/may-11-bonus-podcast.jpg" style="margin: 5px 12px; width: 200px; float: right; height: 200px;">Here is a bonus podcast for those who just can’t wait until June! In this podcast we have three main sections. I look at Karate’s most common failings when it comes to self-protection, injury avoidance and management, and questions from listeners.</p> <p> We frequently see karate training being promoted as an effective form of self-protection, but I think it would be fair to say that the common way karate is taught does not deliver. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with karate; it is more to do with the way it is approached. So in this podcast I look at some common problem areas when looking at karate from a self-protection perspective. I think it would also be fair to say that these problems are by no means unique to karate either and certainly apply to other arts and approaches. However, as a karateka myself, I have presented things from a karate perspective in the podcast.</p> <p> The second part of the podcast looks at injury avoidance, injury management and how to keep progressing when injured. I give a few pointers that I have found useful over the years and I hope you do too.</p> <p> The final part of the podcast is the ever popular listeners’ questions! In that section we look at kata bunkai, the use of the ridge-hand strike, action vs. reaction, fitting training into our busy lives, keeping motivated and whether moderating the power of our blows is appropriate in self-protection.</p> <p> Please remember that if you want to skip ahead to any given section, listings of all the timing are embedded in comments of the podcast.</p> <p> I hope you enjoy it!</p> <p> All the best,</p> <p> Iain</p>
