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By Clement Sequeira Published on: Fri Apr 8, 2022
In this first Kata of the Heian series, which is a basic learner’s Kata, the Karateka uses the following sequence: Back stance movements using knife hand blocks; Forward stance movements using upper blocks; Side fist block; Upper block/hand breaking techniques; Counterattack against sweeps.
National-level medallist and authorised instructor, your sensei has over 25 years of experience in this martial art form. Clement is a 4th Dan Black belt and also holds distinguished positions as a national level judge with Karate Association of India, and a continental referee with the World Union of Karate-Do Federations.
The previous blog was on techniques for orange belts. This blog is on Kata Heian Shodan. This Kata is the first of the Katas of the Heian series and is a basic learner's Kata. Most of the Karate styles start with this Kata in the beginner's series.
In terms of movements, this Kata is very similar to the Taikyoku Shodan and Taikyoku Sandan which were covered in earlier blogs. Here too the movements are along a path resembling the alphabet ‘I’.
In this Kata, the Karateka uses the following:
Start with a bow, look towards your left, down block and punch. Look back, perform a back turn, down block, move your leg back for a half stance, and execute a sideways block. Now move forward and punch.
Switch to the straight line of the ‘I’ with a half turn to the left and down block. Next perform an open hand upper block, followed by a fist upper block and end with a third upper block and “Kiai”!
Execute a 3/4 turn using your back leg and a down block to face the right in a back stance, and complete the move with a move forward and punch. Look back, lift up your arm, keep your leg back for a back turn, finish in a forward stance, move forward and punch.
Look towards the left, lift your elbow for the down block, draw a semicircle with your left leg for a left half turn, and finish with a down block. Look straight and move forward along the line with three punches, one after the other, ending with the ‘Kiai’ sound!
Now join your legs and turn for a knife hand block, join the legs again and perform another knife hand block. Turn back at a 45-degree angle, join the legs, knife hand block, join the legs again, and knife hand block.
With the pattern of movements you have learnt in this blog, it's time to practice, practice, and practice until you get them right. Katas are fundamental to a Karateka’s training. Our next blog is on Foot and Leg Sweeps. Keep reading and learning.
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