Orange Belt — Kata and Blocking Combinations

Learn Heian Shodan kata and middle-level blocking combinations.

## Orange Belt — Kata and Blocking Combinations

The orange belt reflects growing energy — technique is becoming habitual.

### Heian Shodan (Kata 1)
Heian Shodan has 21 movements. Key points:
- All turns use gedan-barai in zenkutsu-dachi.
- Kiai (spirit shout) on movements 9 and 21.
- Keep the head still on turns — eyes lead, body follows.

Breakdown by line:
- Line 1 (steps 1–5): left turn, gedan-barai, oi-zuki x3, right turn gedan-barai.
- Line 2 (steps 6–11): age-uke x3 with steps, turn, age-uke x3.
- Line 3 (steps 12–17): gedan-barai with oi-zuki, shuto-uke x3.
- Line 4 (steps 18–21): return to start.

### Soto-uke (Outside-In Block)
The forearm sweeps from outside to inside, deflecting a mid-level attack. Follow immediately with gyaku-zuki.

### Combination Drill
1. Gedan-barai → oi-zuki
2. Age-uke → gyaku-zuki
3. Soto-uke → gyaku-zuki

Repeat each 10 times each side, moving forward in zenkutsu-dachi.