Heian Shodan

Heian Shodan is the first kata of 5 in the 5 Heian Kata series.

The first Heian kata focuses on stances zenkutsu dachi (front stance) and kokutsudachi (back stance). This is the first time a karateka practices shuto uke (knife hand block), kokutsudachi (back stance) in a shotokan kata.