HEIAN YONDAN

HEIAN YONDAN - PEACE AND TRANQUILITY, 4TH LEVEL.

The fourth kata of the Heian series

In Heian yondan the enbusing is very complex. In order for the endpoint to be correct, all stances and turns should be executed with great care. Stylistically slow movements appear, which give the kata an individual rhythm.

Kata as a fight

The first two defensive techniques (Nos. 1 and 2) are each performed without counter techniques. This requires the karateka to interpret possible counterattacks. This challenge brings the didactic demand to recognize the kata as a fighting situation. The occupation with this

The occupation with this topic is in principle compellingly necessary, so that the Kata do not become a composition of different techniques, but remain fights against imaginary opponents! Already from the basic Kata the Karateka is required to include the fighting attitude in his understanding of the Kata.
After the first technique, the right leg is slowly pulled towards the center of gravity, and then slides forward again so that the arm techniques and stance reach their end point simultaneously (No. 2).

After technique No. 6, Chūdan mae empi uchi, the left foot is moved back half a stance. Only then follows the double technique "Jōdan uraken uchi - Jōdan yoko geri keage" (No. 7).

The lunging movement of the uraken uchi (No. 12) is executed in different ways. However, it is always important to execute a stable end technique in Kōsa dachi. In doing so, the center of gravity is placed forward and downward.

After mae geri, on the way to Kōsa dachi, care should be taken to keep the center of gravity constantly down.

Didactic aspect

As for the self-defense aspect of the kakiwake uke (nos. 13 and 17), the rule here is to act quickly before the opponent can properly grab hold (free yourself from a griff of both hands on the collar, or - even better - get ahead of the griffattempt). The mae geri that comes afterwards can be replaced by a hiza geri in bunkai exercises, so that the distance to the opponent is correct.

The two zuki no. 15 and 16 are not pulled back to the hips, but stretched directly forward from the kakiwake-uke posture. The challenge is that despite a shortened path to the target, the fist strike should be executed strongly. In a realistic situation there is not always the possibility to execute the techniques optimally. Thus, the didactic aspect of this execution is not to be neglected.

Deflecting the attack in the approach

For the first time in a kata the technique Jūji uke appears (No. 3). This sequence should definitely be practiced with a partner in order to be able to use the Gedan block at the right moment against a kick. If the opponent has already started to extend his leg, the technique is ineffective.

The most important learning objective here is to penetrate the opponent's guard in order to repel the attack at the outset.

Expanding the repertoire

The demonstrated application of technique No. 22 (Chūdan morote uke) is intended to make the karateka think. With a slight modification, it can also be used as an attack technique while allowing control over an opponent.

The classic application of defense No. 25 is considered to be the two-handed pulling of the opponent's head into the knee strike.

In Heian yondan there are some new techniques, which should be practiced intensively, because they are rarely trained outside the kata.

Duration: about 50 seconds