Is there a correct way to fall?

[Trek420]

There's a Tae Kwan Do studio right down the street from me. I suggested last year that I could speak to them and see if they'd offer a class on how to fall for the team. It got shot down with the reasoning that if you expect to fall you will fall.... I'm not so sure I completely agree with that. If you know how to fall and are less afraid of being hurt, you may be more relaxed on the bike and less prone to fall?????

I know that it takes more than a once or twice session to get it down to instinct (falling properly that is), but it still seemed like it might not be a bad idea.

It takes a lifetime but you could get basic concepts quickly.

TKD is a beautiful powerful art and an exciting sport but the emphasis is on punches, kicks and it's not where I'd go to learn falls.

Look to Judo, Jui Jitsu and of course Aikido because well, that's what we do Throws, joint locks, pins. I spend half my time on the mat falling and the other half getting back up.

It sounds like he thinks of falling as loosing? The idea is not fear but:
1) Don't kill our training partners If we did not teach you how to fall we'd run out of options in the first class. Aikido is said to be "dance-like", peaceful, gentle even...come on to the mat, it only looks gentle.

2) Most fights start upright then go to the ground with grappling. If you can take falls you have options even on the way down you are relaxed, aware. There's techniques you can do on the way down or fight from there or get back up. Bottom line I'm less likely to be hurt by the throw itself.

3) Of course my goal is to never have to "use it" so last but not least once you get over the "crash burn" stage Aikido falls are fun! I never did gymnastics as a kid, was and remain very uncoordinated but sometimes this is like flying.

Don't make me come up there

Is this place near you?

www.aikidoredmond.com