Aikido Techniques: Steps to Learning Yoko Ukemi – Crawl Before You Walk

Aikido Techniques: Nikkyo Pin

As we have seen from the previous article, the Aikido technique of yoko ukemi requires the dispersal of energy.  Just as a parachutist does not allow any one part of his body to absorb all of the energy focused in the landing, so it is that the Aikidoist ensures that the whole body lands on the mat simultaneously and the hand slaps the mat in order to ensure optimum dissipation of energy.  So how does one go about practicing this type of fall.

Aikido Techniques: Ukemi – Crawl before you walk.

A parachutist who has just learned the concept of body position and rolling out of a fall, an Aikido student must learn how to control the landing so that the landing permits optimum distribution of energy.  With safety in mind, we start with the individual on their back with the chin tucked into the chest.  In one motion, roll onto one side and slap the mat.  Roll to the other side and slap the mat.  Do this over and over again to get the feel of landing on the side with all parts touching at once.  Once you are comfortable  with this, raise your body up as you rotate through the neutral position on your back by lifting your body with your legs and allowing yourself to fall to this stretched position from a few inches off the mat.

Aikido Techniques: Ukemi – Walk before your run.

The next baby step is to move to the squatting position which keeps the body relatively close to the ground. In one movement sweep one leg across your center and quickly stretch out the body.  The next level is the repeat this procedure from standing.  I would recommend using a thicker pad, sometimes called a crash pad, as you progress to this point.  This will allow you to practice the movement without committing one of the common errors I will speak about in a subsequent chapter.  When you feel comfortable with this procedure, then and only then should you do a break fall from standing position going over the shoulder.

In the next article, I will address some of the common errors than might lead to pain, discomfort or even an injury of the mat.