Aka (Burmese martial art)

Aka are pre-arranged sets of movement or forms in 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

 * 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



 * 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