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Heian Shodan

Heian Shodan is the first in the series of 5 Heian Katas. Heian literally translates into “Peaceful Mind” and Shodan means “First Level”. It is the first Kata you learn after gaining your first color belt, however, you should not be fooled into thinking that this means it is the easiest – far from it. Although Heian Shodan consists of what is generally considered to be “basic” it takes a lot of training and learning to truly understand it and to do it correctly.

As with all Kata there are many lessons to be learnt from each Kata. Depending on what level you are at will determine your focus. As a beginner learning a “beginners” Kata all you want to do and all your Sensei will want you to do is to memorise the movements. This does not mean just memorizing them in your mind but in your body. Many people never think about this fact yet it is a key factor to developing great basics and foundations to all your karate moves.

What I mean by memorising it in your body is – creating muscle memory. I am sure you have heard the saying – “it’s just like riding a bike, you never forget”. This statement is mostly true, but why is it true. Because as a child you rode your bike from as early as probably 2 or 3 years of age and my guess is that you were still riding bikes when you were into your late teens. That means that you had a good 15 years where your body conditioned itself to riding a bike. Think about when you now watch a young child riding a bike, they need to remember where the brakes are, how far to turn the handle bars, which muscles to use to create balance. Yet in your teens you just jump on and go.

Shotokan Karate Kata – Why is Kata so Important?

A Brief History of Kata so you understand where and why it originated:

Shotokan Karate is today probably the most popular style of Karate in the world. Its origins stem from Okinawa Island off the Coast of Japan. Many styles of Karate originated on this island after an influx of Chinese migrants came to the island during the 14th Century. These Chinese martial arts mixed with the indigenous fighting arts combined over many hundreds of years to create what we now call Karate.

For many hundreds of years and right up to the late 1800’s weaponry and martial arts were banned in Japan and they had to be taught under the darkness of night in secret dojos. 
To ensure they were not caught learning how to fight the karateka/students were only taught kata – by doing so if anyone found them they could pass the movements off as a folk dance and therefore escape punishment.

Also by teaching all the necessary fighting moves in an easy to remember dance/[pattern formation it made it easier for the students to remember it and also to practice it and to pass it on to others over the years. Karate Kata is what kept karate alive.