Aiki Institute Of Spokane

I have practiced Aikido for almost three years and my life has benefited in numerous ways, some are  tremendous, others more subtle. So it is always a pleasure when a circumstance provides for vivid example of these benefits. Being a full time line cook, I work in fast paced and changing environment. There are many daily challenges that allow me to put my training to use; breathing , focusing, efficient body movement, timing, etc. These are conscious aspects of training that I put to use daily.

About a month ago I had a far more unexpected situation arise. On an average Monday night, I and a fellow co-worker (who also trains Aikido) were finishing our closing activities when I had a slip and fall in a narrow cramped area of the kitchen. My co-worker who observed this remarked that I had fallen in “ double -slap”. The years of falling practice took hold and I went with the energy which had taken me clean off my feet and a few feet in the air. I walked away without any injury from the fall. This was the most vivid example of how my body has accepted my training in a purely responsive way.

I have, ever since beginning Aikido, heard that ukemi is one of the most determining parts of training, and have taken that deeply to heart. I am sure that without that ingrained body response I would have suffered tremendous injury. So practice ukemi whole heartedly, you never know how it will help you.

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