Ataa

Credits to Sheng Kaldres


”Concentrate. Focus. Let your mind be like a pool of water. Do not ever forget that…” ~ Rena Songmi’s last instructions in Ataa to her students before passing away.

Ataa

General

Water can be used to represent what Ataa is about. Force can be directed at water and water just silently absorbed the force. Then, at the most unexpected moment, water can retaliate with the force of an ocean wave, threatening to engulf all before its path.

Ataa is not about comparing of force and see who kill whom first, meeting head on with force. Instead, Ataa preaches against the use of excessive force and to attack unprovoked, even though some of its techniques seem to be very violent in nature. One of the most important lessons in Ataa is, “I shall not attack anyone out of anger, jealousy or spite. This is even so when my opponent is trying to kill me.” This may seem strange, but it is what all masters of Ataa try to do, even though the masters of Ataa have the knowledge to kill people with a single touch.

The most basic theory in combat as Ataa teaches it, is that one should redirect or absorb the impact of the force of the attack directed at one, and then, counter attack. At the highest level, the force of any attack can be reduced to zero and absorbed to give a greater attack. It is also sometimes possible that even before the opponent attacks, the opponent is already subdued. When not moving, an Ataa student is like a statue, still and restrained, but when there is a need to move, an Ataa student can move like lighting. Techniques in Ataa are also not set in stone. Each technique has its own variation and students are encouraged to vary their techniques. So this is why some say that Ataa at the highest level is somewhat like a religion.

History

The history of Ataa is unique in one sense that it is not created solely for combat; rather it is created for entertainment first and then as a combat skill. The origin of Ataa lies in the human gypsies of Enamoria.

As it is orated by the gypsy storytellers, one night after pracenda, a group of gypsies was wondering what entertainment they could have after their pracenda. One particular girl simply known as Dina prayed to Diana as it was her daily practice and include a request for entertainment to Diana. And lo and behold, Diana appeared to the group of gypsies and began teaching the group of gypsies a dance to answer Dina’s prayer, strange, as it seemed.

And thus began the wonderful dream for the gypsies for a whole pattern. The dance was elegant but it was difficult to learn and so the group of gypsies needed to practice the techniques shown throughout the brightening and night. During the time that the gypsies was learning this dance, by the grace of Diana, the group of gypsies did not have to look for food, drink or any of their daily needs. And strangely enough, Diana would only appear for a period of time to show the moves of the dances and then, disappeared once the moves are completed to let the gypsies practice the dance. During the last era of the strange and dreamlike pattern, Diana appeared to the gypsies and began demonstration in using the dance as a combat skill to defend oneself by using a mirage of another Diana defending attacks from another Diana. This brought yet another shock to the gypsies at how elegant was the dance even in this aspect and how effective was the dance against attacks, and the gypsies practiced the dance even more diligently.

At the end of the dreamlike pattern, Diana ended this dream-like situation by simply saying, “I have completed showing the dance to you all and I hope that you will teach this to others.” And to never again appeared before this group of gypsies again.

The group of gypsies awoke from this dream-like situation and set out to do as Diana had ordered. Of course, there were some that argued for the group to keep this dance to themselves. But many revered Diana and refused to do anything like that. Dina the girl that had originally prayed for the dance was an especially strong arguer of the view that the dance, Diana’s Dance by then, should be spread and taught to all gypsies. Non-gypsies was thought to have nothing to do with Diana’s Dance and not included in the “others” that Diana spoke of. And so Diana’s Dance spread and all gypsies know some part of it. Or so the story went, though many academics suspect that Diana’s Dance is more of a gradual development of different dances and merging them into one.

Diana’s Dance is practiced by both sexes and is often used in maintaining the physical fitness of the gypsies as well as a form of entertainment. This is along as a mean of defending oneself. Two people often do the Dance together as each dance to the beat of the other, attacking and defending. One person can also perform the Dance by imagining one is fighting with an imaginary opponent. And in the earlier brightenings, to the non-gypsies, Diana’s Dance appeared to be just a dance and nothing else. And since the gypsies are noxiously protective of their secrets, the non-gypsies are none the wiser. Only the very few non-gypsies close to the gypsies knew the truth and even so, these non-gypsies had to take an oath to never reveal what they know about Diana’s Dance to others.

It was only through the charisma, courage and determination to let Diana’s Dance be known to the rest of the world, of a female human bard named Rena Songmi, that the non-gypsies got to know Diana’s Dance in these brightenings. Or as it would be known even up to now, Ataa, short form for Against the Aggression Art. The change of the name was Rena Songmi’s attempt to cover up for the fact that she knew Diana’s Dance. Rena Songmi believed that Ataa should not be kept a secret from the world and could be used in Medonia, in the war against Daltina at the time when Medonia and Daltina were still at loggerheads, and the threat of the Aelyria Empire was very real.

However, any cover up could not be held for long and the gypsies put a death curse on Rena Songmi as soon as they found that Ataa is Diana’s Dance and she was the one that taught it to the non-gypsies. And Rena Songmi remained in Medonia for the rest of her life until the brightening that she died for the fear of the gypsies. Gradually, the gypsies knew that it was no longer possible to keep Ataa away from the rest of the world and let it be, though the gypsies’ mistrust of bards would remain and that there are great disdain among the gypsies for any form of Ataa that is not taught by them.

The Levels

Basic Level

The two most important principles of Ataa are to deflect a force and to absorb the force of any attack. With the two principles executed, the student should be able to defend he or herself well enough from aggressors. So the techniques learned at Basic level concentrate on how to deflect attacks like blocks and then punch out with a light blow to neutralize the opponent’s ability to attack, and to incorporate such principles in simple movement and stances. Students are not encouraged to attack, so attacks like outright punches, kicks or any aggressive techniques are not taught.

Examples of techniques at Basic level:

Three Basic Stances - Like in all schools, the Three Basic Stances are the foundation for the studying of higher levels. Without the Three Basic Stance, it will be hard to proceed on to the higher levels. The Three Basic Stances are basically that of how to stand with the leg in front, the leg side by side and that of balancing on both legs.

Three Basic Steps - From the Stances, the Three Basic Steps are next. The Three Basic Steps is about how to take steps in regards with the principle of Ataa in order to deflect attacks. The Three Basic Steps are that of going in front, backward and to the side.

The Press - The Press is executed with both hands pressing forward along with the movement of the legs forward. At first sight, this looked to be harmless, but with practice, the Press can be used deflect attacks and then to attack. At some instances, the Press can even be used to break grapples.

Whip Hand - The most basic of all hand movements. Basically, the Whip Hand is a technique that used one of the hands to block, and then, using the other hand and a step forward, deliver a whip like attack aimed at the chest of the opponent. Like all techniques in Ataa, the Whip Hand has a few variations.

Intermediate Level

The same principles that are emphasized at Basic level are again emphasized at Intermediate level. Students are still taught more on the easier principle of deflection rather than the principle of absorption. So it is that the more complex variations of deflect and hit out are taught along with the footwork and stances. However, not all are on the principle of deflection. The student will start with some concentration on the principle of absorption with throws. Students should only have contact with throws at Intermediate level, and with the throws, student can now understand how to absorb attacks and to counter-attack.

Examples of techniques at Intermediate level:

Three Great Steps - This is a movement technique that deals with how to evade attacks. There are actually three methods to do so and hence, the name the Three Great Steps. All three steps are how to move by using the front leg, the back leg and a turn to evade attacks.

Spreading of the Wings - No attack is complete without a defense and the Spreading the Wings is one. The Spreading of the Wings can blocks attacks from both the lower region and the upper regions at the same time, somewhat like the spread of the wings. With a bit of a twist, the Spreading of the Wing can also be used to attack.

Retreat Block - A man cannot always be on the attack, and sometimes, a retreat is the best option. The Retreat Block fulfils this purpose in that it is a retreat and an attack at the same time. If an attack came, one can use the force of the retreat and that of the attack to launch a counter attack.

Four Corner Throw - Starting throw for most students of Ataa. The Four Corner Throw is usually done straight up and using the force exerting by the opponent. By lifting the hands up and using the momentum of one’s opponent, one can throw the opponent from one of the four corners of a house to the opposite corner if one is fighting in a house. At higher levels, it is possible for one to throw one’s opponent to from one corner to any corner that the student likes if four corners are used as a reference.

Advanced Level

Compare to the Intermediate level, the emphasis is now on the principle of how to absorb attacks rather than to deflect attacks, at the Advanced level. If the student had already done some traveling prior to the Advanced level training, the student will know that the absorb principle is though more difficult to execute, is more effective to use to counterattack.

So with this in mind, the techniques at Advanced level focus on the principle of absorb, and there are more throws and even pinning techniques may be taught. Other aspects of dealing with aggression are also taught. For example, how does a student deal with an armed opponent or dealing with ranged weapons. Breathings techniques to clam oneself down to deal with aggression is yet another techniques that may be taught. And most important of all, the imparting of the correct character and nature, which is started in the Intermediate level, is continued at Advanced level. For without the correct character and nature, it is hard for the Ataa student to proceed to the higher levels.

Examples of techniques at Advanced level:

The Lure Throw - A throw that uses the hand to lure attacks in and then in the most unexpected moment, throw the opponent out. The movement of the hands is to move from outside of the body to the inside and then, using the lowering of the body to gain some momentum to throw.

Floor Pin - Pinning exercise is good for both the attacker and the defender. The attacker gets to practice his pins, while the defender gets to stretch his muscles and body due to a pin. So this is why many students practice pin techniques in pairs. The Floor Pin is a technique that uses movement of the legs and that of the hands to maneuver the opponent, so that one can pin the opponent to the floor.

Blade Turn - The Blade Turn deals with opponents with blade weapons like swords and axes. The two most important things in the Blade Turn are how to deal with sharp objects and to use steps to move close to the opponent to deal a blow.

Breath of Life - All life start with a breath and controlling the breath is beneficial to one in the long run. So the Breath of Life is a series of exercise to maintain one’s health. The Breath of Life also helps an Ataa student to keep calm. Being calm is useful in situations whereby two are of are of the same level. The calm one usually wins the fight.

Expert Level

Character and nature of the student are the first things that an Ataa teacher looks for in a student that wants to reach Expert level and thus, for students that want to reach Expert level, they have to go through some tests to prove that. One way is in the gypsy fashion, student has to travel around to different places to gather some sort of a recommendation from various sources of the character and nature of the student. When the student has gathered a certain amount, the student may go back to his or her teacher to verify the recommendations gathered. The teacher will deliberate for several cycles just to verify the recommendations and if the recommendation proved to be sufficient, the teacher will begin the training.

The differences between the different theories of deflecting and absorption have now become blurred. As a student at Expert level, the theory of deflection and absorption can be alternately used. It all depends on the way a student wants to handle an act of aggression. It is even possible that a student can use both the principle of deflection and absorption in a technique. So the student should continue in the pursuit of making the principle of deflection and absorption a natural reaction to the student and also continue in the pursuit of good character and nature.

Examples of techniques at Expert level:

Hand Exercise - This is a technique that deals specifically with how to counter grapples and holds. The Hand Exercise starts with teaching students specific movements to deal with specific movements. At higher levels, the student should have learned enough and experienced enough to deal with most grapples and holds.

Seated Throw - People do not always stand on their feet. Sometimes, people need to be seated and thus, the Seated Throw. The Seated Throw deals with various situations whereby one is seated and one is attacked. The exercises are pretty standard at first, and then develop to free forms at higher levels.

Moving of the Clouds - Looking at the sky, one can see that the movement of the clouds is sometimes very unpredictable. Even those experienced in sky watching, find it hard to keep track of clouds sometimes. So the Moving of the Clouds is a set of profound movements that deal with evading attacks and to actually move the opponent.

The Falling Stance - What do one does if one is falling down and is vulnerable? One uses the Falling Stance! The Falling Stance teaches one techniques of defending oneself as one falls down. With practice, it is possible that even the opponent will not have the idea that one is falling as one is falling so gracefully, it does not look like one is falling.

Master

One of the important aspects in the Expert level, character and nature of the student, are also important in the Master level. Again, whether a student can proceed to Master level depends on the character and nature of the student. So a series of tests will be held at many places, with many different Ataa practitioners of Master level. The tests held by the practitioners of Master level will test the student on character and nature of the student, as well as how well the student knew of the principles of Ataa. The tests can be something as strange as asking a student to stand under a waterfall for ten brightenings to something as common as asking the student to go out and help people in their daily lives. After the tests are held and the student is deemed to have pass the tests, the student will go forth in front of a panel of practitioner of Master level, usually three in number, to be judged whether the student is worthy of the title of “Master” in Ataa. If the answer is yes, the student can start with the Master level techniques.

What more is there to learn at Master level, one may ask? The techniques are that of godhood, one might say! At Master level, the techniques are deemed to be as powerful as the gods and many techniques are named after the gods. With the merging of the principles of deflecting and absorption, and the student will make such principles an instinctive part of their dance of Ataa. But it is more than techniques that makes one closer to the gods. It is the respect for all life and how one practices this principle that make one closer to the gods.

Examples of techniques at Master level:

The Senses of Ioannes - The Senses of Ioannes attempt to make a student of Ataa develop an almost supernatural sense for the student’s surroundings. In simple words, to let an Ataa student to develop a sixth sense with regards to his surroundings. Lots of conditioning and the practicing of the principles are needed before an Ataa student is able to do that. Conditioning may include putting one under a waterfall and a student is expected to catch leaves floating down the waterfall. With this technique mastered, no one would be able to take the student by surprise again.

Orod’s Perception - Nothing is hidden from the perception of Orod and with such a perception; a student can intercept an attack even before the attack comes. In other words, to stop an attack before it even begins! If one can intercept an attack before it even begins, the attack is effectively dissolved and one will not be attacked. If one cannot be attacked, then one can defend oneself effectively and to be able to attack back. Practices of how to develop such a perception are the familiarizing of oneself with as many attack techniques as possible.

The Breath of Carmelya - From the Breath of Life, one may go on to the Breath of Carmelya. The Breathe of Carmelya uses the breath to feel for the opponent reaction and to help one to attack the opponent. One can do this by synchronizing oneself with breathing of one’s opponent. And when one had done that, one can get the feel of one’s opponent. In the extreme case, one can even disrupt the flow of the opponent’s flow of fighting by varying one’s breath. At the higher level, it is even possible to use this technique to give one a limited boost in healing oneself.

Aslan’s Fist - When a God attacks, mortals tremble, and no amount of defending and groveling can stop the attack. Aslan’s Fist is a profound technique that teaches the student on how to react with regards to one’s opponent and to attack the opponent directly taking no damage even though the opponent had already launched his or her attack. At first, this would seem hard and students would take damage practicing this technique, but with experience and the intimate understanding of the principles, the student should be able to master this technique.