Pinan Sandan

Performance instruction for Pinan Sandan. This Pinan kata includes several new strikes, including one of the most versatile combinations in our system. Stances and movement in this kata are challenging, requiring calm, smooth movements as well as turning while keeping one point. Featured learning: *Arts: Gedan/chudan block combo, doublehand block (morote uke), inside block (uchi uke), spear hand (nukite), hammerfist (tetsui uchi), chasing punch (oi zuki), elbow strike (empi uchi), outside arm block (omote ude uke), backfist (uraken), X block (juji uke) *Stances & Footwork: Natural stance (hachiji dachi), fighting stance (moto dachi), cat stance (neko ashi dashi), horse stance (kiba dachi), parallel stance (heiko dachi), forward stance (zen kutsu dachi), turning footwork Concepts introduced or emphasized in this kata: *Keeping balance and turning through stance work *Moving, striking, and throwing from a compromised spine *Defeating attacks from behind *“Gluing the hand” to the body, pinning or trapping an opponent *Using morote uke against a mid-level attack *“Cross body” version of X block