Aka (Burmese martial arts)

Empty-handed aka

Aka are pre-arranged sets of movement or forms in the Burmese martial arts. They serve as a straightforward way of passing down all of a style's techniques unto the student. They can be practiced as a form of physical conditioning, to develop muscle memory, or demonstrated as part of a public performance.

Aka in Hanthawaddy Bando

The Hanthawaddy style contains nine basic forms and nine animal forms, as well as several weapon forms.

Basic forms

Tiger form

1. Point form (Protecting the territory)
2. Square form (Defensive stepping)
3. Cross form (Balance and movement)
4. T-form (Counter-attack)
5. Triangle form (Deceptive defense)
6. Circle form (Evasive defense)
7. Points star form (Salutation to nature/night)
8. Sun form (Salutation to the sun)
9. Line form (Salutation to warrior monks)

Animal forms

Eagle form

• Boar
• Bull
• Cobra: The cobra form emphasizes lightning quick strikes similar to the strikes of a cobra.
• Eagle: The eagle form resembles an eagle in flight by using varying angles and types of attack.
• Panther
• Python
• Scorpion
• Tiger
• Viper

Weapon forms

Four Winds stick form

• Long stick: Four Winds, Four Corners, Horseman, Pilgrim staff
• Medium stick and short stick
• Staff: Mandalay staff, Min dha, Monk dha
• Animal staff: Cobra, Tiger, Boar, Eagle

See also

• Burmese martial arts
• Bando
• Banshay

See also

• Kata

References

• Bando, philosophy, principles et practice, M.Gyi, IST edition, 2000