​A good Martial Artist must first learn to fall, before he learns how to throw, after all it would be totally unrealistic to believe that falling will never happen to you. Without a doubt it will, and falling is not only a form of defense, but also a very strong offensive tactic.



The correct name for breaking your falls is UKEMI. A loose translation of the word UKEMI is "Broken-Fall". Learning to fall properly is important to any self-defense system. In Jujutsu, to fall properly means to fall so that:

1. You aren't injured
2. You can defend yourself and recover to your feet.

Ukemi is important for two reasons. First and most obvious it teaches you how to survive if you are thrown or knocked down from any direction on any surface.

Ukemi also confronts one of our fun-damental fears. The fear of falling is a serious inhibition if you are to defend yourself. Fear of falling causes disorientation and stiffening up, increasing the likelihood of injury and helplessness if you are thrown down. Learning not to be intimidated by falling, you will greatly increase your awareness and help influence the outcome of most situations.



Learning to fall well requires practice. If you watch and practice attentively you can acquire the skill and knowledge to protect yourself in most cases.

BASIC PRINCIPALS OF FALLING

1. Fall in circles, rounding your body roll across the ground.

2. Protect your head.
3. When necessary use a breakfall slap, NEVER YOUR ELBOWS!

4. Think light.

THE 6 BASIC FALLS*

1. Rear (sitting-squatting-standing,with and without hauchi)
2. Front (kneeling-standing, with and without hauchi)
3. Diagonal rear
4. Side
5. Front straight fall (with hands & with hands and forearms)
6. Bridge



Note: All other falls are variations of the above.



*Once you begin to understand UKEMI, you will find that it has other uses as well. Instead of warming up using standard exercises, begin by rolling from a kneeling position and after a few minuets progress to a standing position. This type of warming up relaxes the entire body, and loosens joints and muscles. UKEMI also promotes a better sense of balance which allows the mind to react quickly. This is very advantageous when progressing from one turning technique to another.

UKEMI also helps us to project Ki! Those of us who has been in the arts for any length of time know that the energy used in protecting our bodies while performing UKEMI is a Ki concept... not strength!

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There is no secret, no short cut, and no easy path. If you want to learn, please by all means come join us. We are slow... we are repetitious; we are traditional, and honest in our approach. ​Most of all, if you are honest in your desire to learn, we welcome you.