Bradford Bushido Ryu
Shotokan Karate Club
(Est 1985)

Heian Yondan

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Heian Yondan is the fourth of the Peaceful Mind series. Comprising 27 movements, this Kata should take approximately 50 seconds to perform. 

The most difficult movements are generally considered by novices and many older students to be the back stance and the side snap kick. These challenging techniques require flexible hips and ankles. Strong knees are also helpful. These techniques were not structured so that anyone could learn and perform them. Most adult novices find these techniques to be impossible to perform to the level demonstrated in books and videos. Because of that, they are given an inordinate amount of training attention by students and instructors that is better utilized elsewhere. The side snap kick is nearly without use in combat, and the shape of a back stance is also relatively unimportant compared to other tasks that the student could undertake. In the end, most students who struggle against these two techniques for years eventually learn a horrible truth: They will never be able to do them properly.

Directions

 

1.        Natural Position - Begin the kata with your hands relaxed at your sides in fists. Your feet should hip width apart.

2.        Two Handed Block - Step out with the left foot into a back stance. Bring both open hands by the right waist and then slowly bring them up and around strongly. Add tension and decelerate as you progress. The left arm performs a high level inside block with the back of the open hand. The right arm performs an upper level rising block, but the forearm and open fingers should point in the direction of the left foot.

The fingertips of the right hand should point at the height of the left wrist. The forearms should be about 8 inches apart so that your face will fit between them. The wrists of both arms must be perfectly straight. The left elbow is at a perfect 90 degree angle as is the left shoulder. The right shoulder should be at 45 degrees, and the right elbow should be at 135 degrees. When finished, this technique forms a nice rectangle between the arms.

3.        Two Handed Block - Pull the hands down from their upward position to one beside the left waist. Leave the hands open in the knife hand shape. Pivot on the heels to the right looking 180 degrees in the other direction and repeat the decelerating tensed blocking action to the right.

4.        Lower Block and Punch - Turn to the left 90 degrees and step in that direction with the left foot. The left leg now moves into a front stance. From their upraised position cross the wrists of the right and left arms and then block downward strongly with the left arm and punch over the top of it with the right fist.

5.        Double Hand Block - Step forward with the right foot so that it becomes the front foot in a back stance. Fold for a double hand block by putting the right fist in front of the left shoulder and the left fist touching the right elbow. Block with the right arm and the left arm supporting.

6.        Side Snap Kicks - From the double hand block position you are in now pull the left leg up to the right knee. The left knee should point outward in the direction that you are going to kick. The left hand should be at the right waist in the cup and saucer position. Side snap kick to the left as you throw a left side backfist strike. Leave the backfist out after you strike. Snap the kick back immediately and step down into a front stance that has no width - the heels are in line. Drive the right elbow into the left palm, which is now being pulled back from the backfist strike. The fist of the elbow strike hand can be palm down or palm inward.

7.        Repeat - From this position pull the left foot about halfway toward the right and then raise the right foot to the left knee, turn the head to the other direction and throw the mirror image of these techniques.

8.        Knife Hand Block and Strike - Look over the left shoulder. Move the left hand down as if to block to the lower level with a knife hand block and place the open right hand up in the air with the elbow at a 90 degree angle as if about to perform an outside block. Pivot on both heels to the left 90 degrees so that your left foot becomes the front foot in a left sided front stance that is very wide and shallow. The shoulders should finish facing 45 degrees to the left. The right arm should strike in a round move to the neck level with the palm flat and facing upward. The left hand should be in an open palm block to the upper level. The right elbow should be bent at about 10 degrees, and the right hand should be parallel to the floor.

9.        Front Snap Kick and Backfist Strike - Front snap kick by stepping forward with the right foot to kick. As you step down, bring the left hand out in front of you with the open palm facing down at stomach level. The right fist should be somewhat behind the head, and right elbow should point from between the eyes. Pull the elbow down strongly as you lunge forward with a vertical backfist strike and plant the right foot and at the same time withdraw the left hand back to the waist, finishing by pulling the left foot forward and behind the right foot into a crossed feet stance. Kiai on the strike.

10.     Wedge Block - Pivot anti clockwise to the left on your right foot. As you pivot, extend the left foot outward to the 225 degree right flank from the kiai point. The left foot becomes the front foot in a new back stance. As you step outward, cross both hands at the wrists quickly with the palm sides of the fists facing inward. Burst them apart and then slowly wedge block with increasing tension and deceleration.

11.     Front Snap Kick - Step forward with the right foot and front snap kick to the middle level. Leave the arms in the wedge position.

12.     Double Punch - Punch with the right and then the left. Punch directly from the wedge block posture you are in. The first punch snaps fast and the second punch thrusts strong.

13.     Wedge Block - Move the right foot back in and then extend it out to the 90 degree angle to the right into a new back stance. Repeat the wedge block above.

14.     Front Snap Kick - Step forward with the left foot and front snap kick to the middle level. Leave the arms in the wedge position.

15.     Double Punch - Punch with the left and then the right. Punch directly from the wedge block posture you are in. The first punch snaps fast and the second punch thrusts strong.

16.     Double Hand Blocks - Shift the left foot to the left 45 degrees so that it becomes the front foot in a new back stance. Double hand block with the left arm and the right arm supporting. Fold for a double hand block by putting the left fist in front of the right shoulder and the right fist touching the left elbow. Block as the foot settles in as the front foot of a right side back stance.

17.     Repeat - Step forward and double hand block again.

18.     Repeat - Step forward and double hand block again.

19.     Hair Grab - Bend the front knee and straighten the back knee so that your stance goes from a back stance to a front stance. Shoot both hands up quickly so that the two open hands grab up to ear level as if on the sides of someone's head.

20.     Knee Strike - Bring the right knee upwards strongly and hold that position for a brief instant. Pull both hands downward from their extended positions with the elbows straight. The open hands turn to fists on reaching their lowest point. Place the fists to either side of the shin. The arms should be on a 45 degree angle downward when the action is complete. Kiai.

21.     Knife Hand Block - Pivot to the rear 180 degrees on the left foot in an anti clockwise direction. Step down with the right foot into a new back stance so that it becomes the rear foot. Knife hand block to the middle level with the left hand.

22.     Knife Hand Block - Step forward and knife hand block with the right hand.

23.     Finish - Step the right foot back to the natural position to finish.

 

 Count

 Move

 Stance

   Rei  Musubi Dachi
   Yoi  Uchi Hachiji Dachi
 1  Haishu Haiwan Uke  Kokutsu Dachi 
 2  Migi Haishu Haiwan Uke  Kokutsu Dachi 
 3  Gedan Juji Uke  Zenkutsu Dachi 
 4  Migi Chudan Morote Uke  Kokutsu Dachi 
 5  Yoko Keage Uraken Uchi  Hikite Gamae
 6  Migi Mae Empi  Zenkutsu Dachi
 7  Yoko Keage Uraken Uchi  Hikite Gamae
 8  Hidari Mae Empi  Zenkutsu Dachi
 9  Hidari Gedan Shuto Barai  Zenkutsu Dachi
 10  Migi Jodan Shuto Uchi  Zenkutsu Dachi
 11  Migi Jodan Mae Geri  
 12  Hidari Teisho Uke   Zenkutsu Dachi
 13  Migi Chudan Uraken Uchi (KIAI)  Kosa Dachi
 14  Chudan Kaki wake Uke  Kokutsu Dachi
 15  Migi Jodan Mae Geri  
 16  Migi Chudan Oi Zuki  Zenkutsu Dachi
 17  Hidari Chudan Gyaku Zuki  Zenkutsu Dachi
 18  Chudan Kaki wake Uke  Kokutsu Dachi
 19  Hidari Jodan Mae Geri  
 20  Hidari Chudan Oi Zuki  Zenkutsu Dachi
 21  Migi Chudan Gyaku Zuki  Zenkutsu Dachi
 22  Hidari Chudan Morote Uke  Kokutsu Dachi
 23  Migi Chudan Morote Uke  Kokutsu Dachi
 24  Hidari Chudan Morote Uke  Kokutsu Dachi
 25  Morote Kubi Osae  Zenkutsu Dachi
 26  Migi Hiza Geri Uchi (KIAI)  
 27  Hidari Chudan Shuto Uke  Kokutsu Dachi
 28  Migi Chudan Shuto Uke  Kokutsu Dachi
   Yame  Uchi Hachiji Dachi
   Rei  Musubi Dachi

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