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Rokas Leonavicius

An Aikido Ukemi learning course separated into a 100 exercises to help everyone learn from the most basics to the most advanced exercises gradually. This is the beginners level which consists of 26 exercises split into 5 different levels. During it you will learn to perform a forward and backward roll, upon many other exercises which will be the foundation blocks for all future Aikido Ukemi training.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Perform smooth forward and backward rolls
  • Perform painless soft high falls
  • Perform front and backward featherfalls
  • Ability to spontaneously adapt to any situation which requires falling
  • Develop flexibility and basic strength necessary for ukemi

Syllabus

Develop basic, essential skills needed in smooth rolling. First introduction to a forward roll.

An introduction to the 100 Aikido Ukemi Build-Up online course.

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3 - Rolling back and forth - standing on one foot

4 - Rolling back and forth - standing fully

5 - Forward roll - learning variation

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches forward and backward rolls, which are fundamental for safe Aikido practice
Progresses through 26 exercises split into 5 levels, providing a structured learning experience
Develops flexibility and basic strength, which are necessary for Ukemi and overall physical fitness
Includes partner exercises, which may require access to a dojo or training space
Uses a bokken (wooden sword) in some exercises, which may require additional equipment

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Reviews summary

Structured beginner aikido falling skills

According to learners, this course provides a strong foundation for learning Aikido Ukemi (falls) at the beginner level. Students highlight the structured, step-by-step approach, noting that the exercises build logically and are easy to follow. Many found the instructor's explanations clear and appreciated the consistent emphasis on safety, which helped build confidence in performing falls. While the initial exercises can feel repetitive, reviewers agree it's necessary for skill-building. The course is seen as ideal for absolute novices, though those with some prior experience might find the very beginning slow. Success requires consistent personal practice.
Progress needs consistent training.
"Requires self-discipline to practice consistently."
"The 100-exercise build-up concept... It makes consistent training achievable."
"You won't master these overnight, it takes repetition."
Perfect starting point for novices.
"This course was perfect for me as an absolute beginner in Aikido Ukemi."
"This course is a great foundation for anyone starting Aikido."
"As a complete novice, I found this course invaluable."
"If you already have some basic ukemi experience, the first few levels might be very slow."
Instructor explains technique clearly.
"The instructor's explanations are clear and concise..."
"The detailed breakdown of each roll and fall is incredibly helpful."
"The quality of instruction is top-notch."
"I appreciate the clear instructions and the progression."
Exercises build logically and safely.
"The exercises are broken down into small, manageable steps that are easy to follow and practice."
"Excellent course! The progression from simple rolling to more complex falls is very logical."
"Each exercise builds nicely on the previous one. I particularly liked the repetition and slight variations..."
"The way the exercises are laid out is very logical, building on each other."
"The 100-exercise build-up concept, starting with these 26 beginner ones, is brilliant."
"The structured approach is a major plus."
Learn to fall safely with confidence.
"he emphasizes safety throughout. I feel much more confident about practicing falls now."
"Fantastic course for understanding the fundamentals of falling safely."
"The emphasis on building up gradually is perfect for avoiding injury."
"The progression feels natural and safe. Great resource."
Video quality could be improved.
"the production quality isn't the highest, which can make it slightly less engaging..."
"some exercises could benefit from slightly different camera angles or perhaps a demonstration with a partner earlier on"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in 100 Aikido Ukemi Build Up - Beginner's Level with these activities:
Review Basic Stretching and Flexibility Exercises
Improve your flexibility and range of motion to reduce the risk of injury and improve your ukemi technique.
Browse courses on Flexibility Training
Show steps
  • Research basic stretching exercises suitable for Aikido.
  • Perform a 15-20 minute stretching routine daily.
Read 'Total Aikido: The Master Course'
Gain insights from a master on body conditioning and movement, which are essential for safe and effective ukemi.
Show steps
  • Acquire a copy of 'Total Aikido: The Master Course'.
  • Focus on the sections related to body conditioning and movement.
  • Apply the principles learned to your ukemi practice.
Read 'Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere'
Gain a deeper understanding of the principles behind Aikido movements, which will enhance your understanding of ukemi.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere'.
  • Read the sections related to body mechanics and movement.
  • Reflect on how these principles apply to ukemi.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Practice Ukemi with a Partner
Refine your ukemi skills through real-time practice and feedback from a partner.
Show steps
  • Find a partner who is also learning ukemi.
  • Take turns practicing different ukemi techniques.
  • Provide constructive feedback to each other.
Practice Forward Rolls on Varied Surfaces
Improve your ability to perform forward rolls in different situations, enhancing your adaptability and confidence.
Show steps
  • Start practicing forward rolls on a soft mat.
  • Gradually transition to harder surfaces like grass or a wooden floor.
  • Introduce slight inclines or declines to simulate uneven terrain.
Create a Video Demonstrating a Specific Ukemi Technique
Solidify your understanding of a specific ukemi technique by teaching it to others through video.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific ukemi technique from the course.
  • Plan the video, including key points and demonstrations.
  • Record and edit the video, ensuring clarity and accuracy.
  • Share the video with peers for feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete 100 Aikido Ukemi Build Up - Beginner's Level will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Martial Arts Instructor
A martial arts instructor guides students in the practices, techniques, and philosophies of a specific martial art, and this course on Aikido Ukemi directly enhances their skills. The course provides a structured learning approach for teaching falling and rolling techniques, essential for student safety and building a strong foundation in Aikido or other martial arts. The exercises in this course develop flexibility, strength, and the ability to adapt to situations requiring falling. This knowledge translates directly into improved instruction and a safer training environment for students.
Stunt Performer
A stunt performer executes choreographed actions that appear dangerous, and foundational training in how to fall and roll safely is paramount. This course teaches fundamental techniques for forward and backward rolls, soft high falls, and even how to adapt to unexpected situations when falling. In the career of a stunt performer, the Aikido Ukemi training in this course is invaluable because it develops a strong sense of body awareness and control. The flexibility, strength, and ability to move fluidly, as taught in this course, all aid a stunt performer's ability to execute safely.
Acrobat
An acrobat performs complex physical maneuvers that showcase strength, balance, and agility, and this course is highly compatible with the fundamentals required in acrobatics. The Aikido Ukemi training from this course offers an elementary understanding of rolling, falling, and body control, which are essential to any acrobatic routine. An acrobat can find the course useful for building a foundation of flexibility, basic strength, and the ability to adapt to unexpected situations. The focus on smooth transitions between movements learned in this course can also be utilized in acrobatic sequences.
Circus Performer
A circus performer entertains audiences with acrobatic acts, and this course can provide them with a strong foundation in movement, balance, and falling. The course's detailed approach to learning rolls, falls, and soft landings directly supports the physical demands of circus acts. A circus performer benefits from the Aikido Ukemi training in this course as it enhances body control, flexibility, and the ability to react to unexpected situations. The emphasis on smooth transitions between movements is crucial for circus acts.
Gymnastics Coach
A gymnastics coach instructs athletes in various acrobatic movements, and understanding proper falling techniques is extremely important to ensure safety. This course provides a foundational understanding of rolling, falling, and body control. The Aikido Ukemi training in this course emphasizes fundamental movements that are also crucial in gymnastics. A gymnastics coach benefits from the basic strength and flexibility developed in this course, as well as the ability to teach athletes how to react safely to unexpected situations.
Parkour Instructor
A parkour instructor guides students on how to navigate obstacles using movements like running, jumping, and climbing, and the fundamentals taught in this course are pertinent to the discipline of parkour. The Aikido Ukemi course provides the basics of falling and rolling safely and efficiently. A parkour instructor will find this particularly helpful because it helps students learn how to reduce the impact of falls and how to safely transition between different movements. This builds coordination, flexibility, and body control that are essential to parkour.
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist helps patients recover from injuries and illnesses, often using movement and physical exercises. This course's focus on developing smooth rolls, soft falls, and flexibility is highly relevant; the Aikido Ukemi training included in the course builds a foundation for understanding how bodies move and respond to different forces. The ability to adapt to situations requiring falling, learned in this course, can inform a physical therapist's approach when helping patients with balance and movement issues.
Dance Instructor
A dance instructor teaches various dance forms and choreographic techniques to students, and fluidity and body awareness are core to the discipline. This course aids both of those skills, as the Aikido Ukemi training in this course provides specific exercises for enhancing smoothness in movements and control in rolls and falls. A dance instructor would find this course helpful as it fosters the ability to adapt to unexpected movements, which can then be translated to greater ability to teach dance. The increased flexibility and basic strength will also benefit their work.
Sports Coach
A sports coach instructs athletes in a specific sport, and this course can be beneficial as it enhances body awareness, flexibility, and reaction skills that athletes need to excel. This Aikido Ukemi course focuses on fundamental movements, such as rolling and falling, which can improve an athlete's ability to respond to unexpected situations on the field or court. A sports coach may find that this course helps athletes learn to move fluidly and avoid injuries. The flexibility, strength, and adaptability taught in the course may be useful in training a variety of athletic disciplines.
Yoga Instructor
A yoga instructor teaches students various yoga poses, breathing techniques, and meditation practices, and this course may be useful in understanding body mechanics. The Aikido Ukemi course provides exercises that enhance core strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination, which are crucial for a yoga instructor. The exercises in this course teach body control, which will be useful in teaching and demonstrating yoga poses. A yoga instructor who understands how to fall and move smoothly can better guide students in their practice.
Personal Trainer
A personal trainer designs and implements fitness programs for clients, and the body awareness and flexibility principles taught in this course might benefit their expertise. The training in this course provides skills in rolls, falls, and body movement that could inform a more well-rounded fitness regimen. A personal trainer could use the exercises in this course to improve clients' body control and coordination. The Aikido Ukemi training in this course also helps improve strength, agility, and the ability to adapt to sudden movements.
Movement Therapist
A movement therapist uses movement and physical activity to improve patients' mental and physical health. This course may be useful because it provides foundational knowledge about how the body moves in a variety of situations. The exercises in this course promote flexibility, strength, and the ability to adapt to unexpected falls, which can inform a movement therapist's understanding of physical movement in patients. A movement therapist would find the instruction in this course helpful in teaching patients body awareness skills.
Theater Performer
A theater performer acts in plays, musicals, or other theatrical productions, and this course assists in developing body awareness, balance and control. This Aikido Ukemi course helps to build flexibility, basic strength, and the ability to adapt to unexpected situations, which can be valuable in character movement and stage combat. The exercises in this course improve physical coordination and the ability to move fluidly. A theater performer can find these skills translate to a more dynamic and versatile stage presence.
Occupational Therapist
An occupational therapist helps people develop the skills necessary for everyday life, and the focus on movement, coordination and body awareness taught in this course can be useful for them. The Aikido Ukemi training in this course provides a systematic approach to learning rolling, falling and adapting to unexpected falls. This knowledge translates to a better understanding of movement and balance issues that patients may have. An occupational therapist may find this course helpful for understanding how to help clients improve their physical abilities.
Recreation Therapist
A recreation therapist uses recreational activities to improve the physical and emotional well-being of patients. The Aikido Ukemi course's focus on controlled movement, body awareness and adaptability can be extremely useful during their work. The ability to adapt to various situations and to safely navigate falls, as taught in this course, can be valuable in developing therapy activities and patient safety. A recreation therapist might find that the activities taught in this course provide additional ideas for group exercise sessions.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in 100 Aikido Ukemi Build Up - Beginner's Level.
This book, written by a prominent Aikido master, delves into the core principles and advanced techniques of Aikido. While it covers a wide range of Aikido topics, the sections on body conditioning and movement are particularly relevant to ukemi training. It provides a deeper understanding of how to move efficiently and safely, which is crucial for performing effective ukemi. is valuable as additional reading to expand on the course material.
Provides a comprehensive overview of Aikido principles and techniques. It offers insights into the underlying physics and body mechanics involved in Aikido movements, including ukemi. While not solely focused on ukemi, it provides a broader context for understanding the art. It is commonly used as a reference text for Aikido practitioners.

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