If you can't find self defense techniques(bunkai) in your kata then the practice of kata is meaningless. Bunkai is self defense, karate is self defense, kata is self defense. If you cannnot find it I question what you have been taught.
You teach what you know and too many "karate" instructors do not understand the kata, to teach the bunkai, to teach the real meaning of karate.One more reason why some people say "Karate doesn't work".

Duane