1 - Kata of Shotokan Karate - Heian Shodan

Heian Shodan is the first of the five Heian, or "Peaceful Mind" katas. However, this does not mean that it is the easiest! In fact, Heian Shodan is composed entirely of "basic" techniques. There is nothing "fancy" at all being done. For this reason, it could be said that Heian Shodan is actually the hardest of all kata to do and do correctly!

The layout of this kata is an "I". It starts at the intersection of the top horizontal and the vertical lines of the "I". The kata also ends in the same place . From this starting point the kata moves to the left and then the right. It then moves down the vertical to the bottom horizontal. Here it moves right and then left. The movement then goes back up the vertical to the top horizontal, where it moves left and then right and then completes.

2 - Kata of Shotokan Karate - Heian Nidan

Heian Nidan is the second of the five Heian katas.

The layout of this kata is an "I". It starts at the intersection of the top horizontal and the vertical lines of the "I". The kata also ends in the same place From this starting point the kata moves to the left and then the right. It then moves down the vertical to the bottom horizontal. Here it moves right and then left. The movement then goes back up the vertical to the top horizontal, where it moves left and then right and then completes.

3 - Kata of Shotokan Karate - Heian Sandan

Heian Sandan is the third of the five Heian katas.

The layout of this kata is an "I". It starts at the intersection of the top horizontal and the vertical lines of the "I". The kata also ends in the same place . From this starting point the kata moves to the left and then the right. It then moves down the vertical to the bottom horizontal. Here it moves right and then left. The movement then goes back up the vertical to the top horizontal, where it moves left and then right and then completes.

4 - Kata of Shotokan Karate - Heian Yodan

Heian Yodan is the fourth of the five Heian katas.

The layout of this kata is a plus sign on top of a minus sign. It starts at the center of the plus sign. The kata also ends in the same place. From this starting point the kata moves to the left and then the right. It then moves down the vertical to the bottom horizontal. Here it moves right and then left. The movement then goes back up the vertical to the top horizontal, where it moves left and then right and then completes.