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[edit] Ukemi 受身

Literally "receiving with/through the body," thus, the art of falling in response to a technique. Mae ukemi are front roll-falls, ushiro ukemi are back roll-falls. Ideally, one should be able to execute ukemi from any position and in any direction. The development of proper ukemi skills is just as important as the development of throwing skills and is no less deserving of attention and effort. In the course of practicing ukemi, one has the opportunity to monitor the way one is being moved so as to gain a clearer understanding of the principles of aikido techniques. Just as standard aikido techniques provide strategies for defending against physical attacks, so does ukemi practice provide strategies for defending against falling (or even against the application of an aikido or aikido-like technique).

Ukemi, or "receiving with the body," is the method of recieving an aikido technique. Ukemi can refer broadly to all study of recieving an aikido technique (e.g., the appropriate footwork and fit), but often colloquially refers only to breakfalls. Breakfalls can also be used as a form of conditioning.

[edit] Types of Ukemi

• Back roll, ushiro kaiten ukemi - Falling backward into a roll
• Front roll, mae kaiten ukemi - Falling forward into a roll
• Side roll, yoko kaiten ukemi - Falling sideways into a roll
• Back fall, ushiro ukemi - Falling backward without rolling
• Front fall, mae ukemi - Falling forward without rolling
• Side fall, yoko ukemi - Falling sideways without rolling
• Back breakfall or ushiro tobi ukemi - Falling backward with a slap
• Front breakfall or mae tobi ukemi- Falling forward with a slap
• Side breakfall or yoko tobi ukemi- Falling sideways with a slap

[edit] See Also

• uke