Aka (Burmese martial arts)
# Aka (Burmese martial arts)

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

* Point form (Protecting the territory)
* Square form (Defensive stepping)
* Cross form (Balance and movement)
* T-form (Counter-attack)
* Triangle form (Deceptive defense)
* Circle form (Evasive defense)
* Points star form (Salutation to nature/night)
* Sun form (Salutation to the sun)
* Line form (Salutation to warrior monks)

### Animal forms

* 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

* 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
