Heian Godan Kata

What is Kata?

In Karate, kata is a sequence of moves organized into a pre-arranged fight against imaginary opponents. The kata consists of kicks, punches, sweeps, strikes, blocks, and throws. Body movement in various kata includes stepping, twisting, turning, dropping to the ground, and jumping. Kata is not a performance or a demonstration, but is for individual karateka to practice full techniques– with every technique potentially a killing blow (ikken hisatsu), while paying particular attention to form and timing (rhythm).

The standard kata in (Shotokan) Karate are:

Heian Kata

There are five katas in the heian series. Each represents an element of nature: earth, water, fire, wind and void.

Said to have been created by Gichin Funakoshi's teacher Itosu Yatsume, these kata were developed to further help in teaching basic techniques and to help in conditioning the body, and learning proper hip usage. The name Heian comes from the contraction of the characters for heiwa and antei, meaning peace and stability.

Heian Godan

Heian Godan translates as, "Peaceful mind, fifth level." and is the fifth of the series of five Heian kata. It represents void.

In this kata, there is an emphasis on multiple blocks, trapping/breaking techniques, defense from various grabs and holds, Leg blocks and strikes, continuous changing of focus and direction of attacker, take downs, proper breathing and application of kiai. Hip rotation, vibration, shifting/thrusting, pendulum (side snap kick and front kick), reconnection, up and down energy.