Yellow Belt – Forms and Katas

Starting sequence: Begin in Heisoku Dachi and cross your arms in front of your chest with your left forearm in front. The forearms should touch about halfway down each forearm. Make sure that where they cross, the center of this ‘X,’ is about one foot away from the center of your chest. Then, move your right leg out laterally to transition into Kiba Dachi. As you step out into Kiba Dachi, uncross the arms into a strong open position. Bend the arms at the elbows so that the forearms are nearly parallel to the floor, clench your fists, engage all of your arm muscles and core, and have an erect spine with your shoulders back and your chest out. 

Bottom left side of the “I”: In most instances, when performing a Form or Kata, you have to look before you turn, so look to your left and only then, turn 90 degrees to face left by moving your left foot out in a semi-circular motion, known as Muwatte. You should now be in a front stance with your left leg in front. As you transition into this stance, maintain a fist with your hands, but move them so that they’re to the side of your left-side waist. Position them so that the left fist is on top of the right fist with its curled fingers facing up so that the backs of the fists are touching. You will revisit this fist position often in this and other Forms/Katas, so it’ll be referred to as the “side fist position.” Then, simultaneously move your right fist so that it is next to your right-side waist, fingers pointing up, like in the preparation stage of a reverse punch, perform a low block with your left arm, and move your right foot in and out in the Muwatte motion. Finally, simultaneously retract your left fist so that it is next to your left-side waist, fingers pointing up and punch toward your “opponent’s” chest with your right fist…