Heian Nidan

Heian Nidan, the second Heian kata, has 26 movements and the embusen is almost I-shaped. Half of the kata is performed in kokutsu-dachi (back stance). Shuto-uke (knife-hand block) appears seven times, making it a very important technique for this kata.

H2 is the first kata that teaches kicks and double-hand movements. Also, gyaku hanmi, reversing the torso's position, is first learned in H2.

Pay special attention to the keage/uraken (side snap kick/back-fist) combination, as it appears in several other kata.