Martial Arts Ukemi, Break Falling on Concrete

NEW: Take our UKEMI POLL as you watch this video! Learning how to safely fall (one interpretation of the Japanese word “ukemi“) -- not just on the dojo mat, but on the street, literally on pavement if necessary -- is a valuable life skill, not just a martial arts, parkour or free running skill; and it’s more than doing “tricking“ or stunts. This video provides a whimsical yet serious overview of what it takes to undertake this aspect of practical, reality-based training. If you’re new to the concept of controlled falling, especially if you’re considering the value of learning such skills, do NOT watch this video and assume you can safely mimic the techniques: whether on a mat or on concrete, you may and likely will hurt yourself. Find a quality source of training! Several martial arts, such as jujutsu, aikido, judo, hapkido and ninjutsu, heavily emphasize this and other aspects of ukemi. Others, such as certain traditional schools of karate, typically intr