Kata of Shotokan Karate - Heian 4 (Yodan)
Heian Yodan is the fourth of the five Heian, or "Peaceful Mind" katas.
The layout of this kata is a plus sign on top of a minus sign. It starts at the center of the plus sign. The kata also ends in the same place. From this starting point the kata moves to the left and then the right. It then moves down the vertical to the bottom
horizontal. Here it moves right and then left. The movement then goes back up the vertical to the top horizontal, where it moves left
and then right and then completes.
The Kata
- Yoi. Assume a natural stance, hachi-dachi.
- After a sharp look left, assume a left back stance by moving the left out along the upper horizontal. While moving, place
both open hands, palm down in front of the right hip.
Once the stance is entered execute a double knife hand block. The left arm is raised so that the upper arm is in line with the shoulder. Bend
the elbow ninety degrees so that the fist (which faces out) is in line with the top of the head. The right arm is also bent ninety
degrees, with the upper arm raised straight up from the shoulder.
- After a sharp look to the rear, pivot and face behind in a right back stance.While moving, place both open hands, palm down in front of the left hip. Once the stance is entered execute a double knife hand block. This block should be the mirror image of the above double block.
- Look to the left. Step out into a left forward stance and execute a downward "X" block.
- Step forward with the right foot into a right backstance, while executing a reinforced right inside block.
- Draw the left foot up parallel with the right and form a cup and saucer on the right hip. Looking left, execute a left side snap kick and left back fist. Upon completion, land in a left forward stance and execute a right horizontal elbow strike into the left palm.
- Draw the right foot up parallel with the left and turn to face front, forming a cup and saucer on the left hip. Looking right, execute a right side snap kick and right back fist. Upon completion, land in a right forward stance and execute a left horizontal elbow strike into the right palm.
- While still looking straight ahead, move the right into an open palm overhead block and move the left down parallel with the left leg, also opening the palm.
- Shift the stance and turn into a left facing backstance, 45 degrees left of front. As you shift, execute a left open palm overhead block and a right shuto strike.
- Without moving the left foot, right snap kick in front of the shuto strike. Upon completion, plant the right foot, step behind it with the left and execute a right backfist, bringing the left hand to the chamber.
- Shift the stance to turn and face 45 degrees right of rear. Step out in a left backstance. Cross the forearms in front and slowly, with tension, spread them apart until the forearms are a shoulder width apart.
- Step forward with a right snap kick. Land in a right forward stance. Right punch and left reverse punch.
- Look to the right, draw the right foot back and step out into a right backstance 45 degrees left of rear. Cross the forearms in front and slowly, with tension, spread them apart until the forearms are a shoulder width apart.
- Step forward with a left snap kick. Land in a left forward stance. left punch and right reverse punch.
- Shift the left foot the rear and assume a left backstance, executing a left reinforced inside block.
- Step forward into a right backstance, executing a right reinforced inside block.
- Step forward into a left backstance, executing a left reinforced inside block.
- Open the hands and while shifting into a left forward stance, thrust the hands into a double ridge hand at your opponents temples.
- Turn the hands so that the palms face each other and step up into a right knee, while the hands move down quickly to either side of the knee, as if pulling your opponents head into your knee. Land and shift into a front facing left backstance, left knife hand strike.
- Step forward into a right backstance, right knifehand strike.
- Complete the kata by bringing the right foot back to the left, into hachi dachi.
