Taikyoku -Shodan, Nidan, Sandan

First Cause - Level 1,2,3

Heian- Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yodan, Godan

Long lasting peace. "Hei " is peace and "an" is stable, safe, or relief. Sensei Anko Itosu created these kata's and named them Heian - Level 1,2,3,4,5

Tekki Shodan

Iron Knight - First level

Bassai-Dai

To Penetrate a Fortress

Jion

A Buddest Temple in China; Compassion

Empi

The Flight of the Swallow

Hangetsu

Half Moon

Kanku-Sho

Look to the Void; To View the Heavens

Tekki Nidan

Iron Knight - Second Level

Bassai-Sho

To Penetrate a Fortress

Chinte

Extraordinary Hands

Jitte

Ten Hands

Nijushiho

Twenty-Four Steps

Gankaku

Crane on a Rock

Jiin

In the Shade of Compassion. "JI" means compassion and "IN" means in the shadow or shade

Sochin

To Keep the Peace

Gojushiho-Sho

Fifty-Four Step (or directions)

Gojoshiho-Dai

Fifty-Four Step (or directions)

Unsu

Cloud Hands

Meikyo

Bright Mirror or Clear Mirror

Wankan

King's Crown

Sho

Lesser, Minor

Dai

Greater, Major

Shorin

Speed, Swiftness

Shorei

Power, Strong

Heian Shodan

Front Stance, back stance, stepping patterns, lunge punch

Heian Nidan

Front kick, side kick while changing directions

Heian Sandan

Body connections in forearm blocking, back-fist strike

Heian Yodan

Balance and variation in technique

Heian Godan

Balance and jumping

Tekki Shodan

Straddle leg stance-hip vibration

Tekki Nidan

Grasping and hooking blocks

Tekki Sandan

Continuous middle level blocking

Bassai-Dai

Changing disadvantage into advantage by use of switching blocks and differing degrees of power

Kanku-Dai

Variation in fast and slow techniques, jumping

Jion

Turning, shifting, variations in stepping patterns

Jutte

Powerful hip action, use of the staff

Empi

Fast slow movements, high and low body positions, reversal of body positions

Hangetsu

Inside tension stance, coordination of breathing with stepping, blocking and punching; circular arm and leg movements

Gankaku

Balancing on one leg; side kick; back fist strike

KNEELING  IN SEIZA

Place your left knee on the floor, then the right knee. Sit down on your feet. The toes overlap (either one on top) Keep your back straight and shoulders relaxed. Rest each hand on your thighs (fingers together).

BOWING IN SEIZA

Slide your left hand to the floor first, in front of your knee, then do the same with your right. (Palms touching the floor). Bow at the waist, the forehead comes close to the floor but does not touch. When you sit back up place your left hand on your left thigh first then your right.

FORMAL BOW-Beginning of Class

The Senior student or Sensei will call out "Narande" or line up. Students stand shoulder to shoulder, even lines, facing the front of the dojo in belt order. The senior student calls out "Seiza" The senior student calls out "Mokusou" (meditation-lower head/and or close eyes) The senior student calls out "Mokusou yame" The senior student calls out " Shomen ni rei" (Bow to the front of the room) The senior student calls out " Sensei ni rei" (Bow to the sensei) (When bowing to sensei you may say, "onegaishimas" translates to Please teach me/please hold class) or you may say, "Osu")

FORMAL BOW-Ending of Class

Same as opening except after mediation ends "Mokusou yame" the class recites the DOJO KUN. Also when you bow to the Sensei you may say, "arigatoh gozaimas" which means, Thank you.