Pinan Shodan

Pinan Shodan – Steps by David Baldridge – 1-18-22

Kiotsuke – heels together, feet pointed out at 30-45 degrees. good posture, with butt and chest out, with shoulders back. Neck straight and chin slightly tucked in, with eyes set at about shoulder level. Hands come to active rest on each side.

Rei – bow keeping your upper body posture, chin tucked, bend at the waist, letting your butt move backward to counterbalance your upper body. Elbows can bend to keep hands at the same place. Don’t rush the ojigi, hold it for a few seconds then return to standing posture.

Pinan Shodan, Yoi – hands in fists cross in front then pull to the sides, maybe 4 or 5-sun from hips. Keep good posture

For Counts 1-3 – keep your body squared forward. This is basic sideways movement while maintaining forward-facing posture. More of this comes later, in Naihanchi.

1. First look to the left, then step right foot into natural stance (feet and shoulders squared forward) then double block. Right arm up block (one fist distance from forehead to blocking wrist, knuckles in line with left side of head. Left arm soto uke, natural distance with wrist at about shoulder height.

2. Bring down up block almost like a downward uchi-uke, draw the left arm back to the right shoulder making the “X” and do a down block to the left.

3. Look right first, then repeat double block to the right

4. repeat count 2 with the right hand down block

5. Look back over your right shoulder, draw right hand up to left should as you twist upper body to face “right,” turning on the balls of your feet so you are turned to face right, then do down block to your right, which is “behind” the initial position. Then do a snap kick in the same direction as the block (this is why we do the 1-2-3-4 leg raises after class!), and when you bring the foot down turn back left 90 degrees (remember you’re still squared to the “right”) to face “forward” then as your twist your left foot pulls back, and then do shuto uke.

6. Right foot step forward, right hand shuto uke

7. Left food step forward, left hand shuto uke

8. left arm drops down protecting solar plexus, fingertips around right elbow as you do nukite (spear hand) with right hand (don’t overextend!). Kiai here.

9. Turn 270 degrees to the left, turning to the “right,” with left hand shuto uke

10. Turn 45 degrees (斜め) to the right, right hand shuto uke.

11. Turn to the right to face “left”, right hand shuto uke

12. Turn 45 degrees to the left, left hand shuto uke

13. Turn 45 degrees to the left, now facing “back.” Make the “X” and do a left hand soto uke

14. Right hand punch

15. Right snap kick, just like in kihon, then stepping forward with the right foot.

16. Left hand punch

17. Left snap kick, stepping forward

18. Right hand punch

19. Right snap kick, stepping forward, then do a right down block

20. Turn 270 degrees to the left, now facing “left,” with a left hand down block

21. 45 degrees to the right, up block with right hand

22. turn 135 degrees right, now facing “right,” right hand down block

23. 45 degrees to the left, up block with left hand

24. step back to yoi position, facing forward”

Kiotsuke – hands back to sides

Rei – bow as before. Wait a few seconds before relaxing or Taisho (退所) and stepping back/turning with the right foot to leave.

Visiting Karatekas – Katas Pinan Shodan and Pinan Nidan

We had the pleasure of practicing Karatekas from the State of Hawaii in July of 2015. The Henson family performed Katas.

Pinan Shodan – July 2015