Aka (Burmese martial arts)

File:Aka point.jpg

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

File:Garde tigre.jpg

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

File:Aigle3.jpg

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