HEIAN YODAN – “Peaceful Mind Number Four”
- The fourth kata in the Heian series, the student will find this to be the longest kata taught to date, in addition, more emphasis is placed on kicks in this kata than in any previous kata found in this series. There are three chudan-mae-geri-keages (middle level front snapping kicks), and twochudan-yoko-geri-keages (middle level side snapping kicks). Once again several new hand techniques are introduced for the first time, they aregedan-juji-uke (downward X block), chudan-empi-zuki (middle level elbow strike), and kake-wake-uke (reverse wedge block), as well as one new stance, kosa-dachi (cross legged stance). This kata also introduces the student for the first time to two new concepts. One is the “leaping step”, this is where the student is required to follow up a technique, in this case a jodan-mae-geri-keage (upper level front snapping kick), with a “leap” forward into a kosa-dachi (cross legged stance), the distance travelled will usually be equal to one full length zenkutsu-dachi (front stance) in distance. The second new concept is that of teaching the student to shift from one stance to another without moving their feet from the present embusen (line of attack) that they are on. In this case from a kokutsu-dachi (back stance), to a zenkutsu-dachi (front stance), it is very important to remember that the dynamics of this movement are done entirely without stepping off line. Many dojos today, however, make the mistake of allowing their students to move their left (front) foot over from the kokutsu-dachi (back stance), into a full width zenkutsu-dachi (front stance), but since the whole point of the lesson at this point in their training is for the student to learn to “shift” from once stance to another, allowing the student to “step” defeats the whole purpose of the lesson and so it must be avoided.There are two kiai points in Heian Yodan, the first one occurs on the augmented chudan-uraken (supported middle level back fist) at the top of the “I” of the embusen (line of attack), and the second one occurs on the chudan-hiza-geri (middle level knee strike) at the bottom of the “I” of the embusen (line of attack). This kata contains 27 movements and should take the student approximately 45 seconds to complete. To finish the kata from the last movement,leave your left foot in place and withdrawing your right foot, stand up and face forward in a hachiji-dachi (natural stance), now bring your left foot half way in towards your right foot, and your right foot half way in towards your left foot, and at the same time bring your hands to your sides, standing in heisoku-dachi (attention stance), rei (bow), now step out with your left foot, then your right foot and stand once again in hachiji-dachi (natural stance).
- Heian Yondan
- Number of moves 27
- 1st Kia movement 13
- 2nd Kia movement 25
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