Taking A Fall And Saving Face

SAVING FACE: Long ago, I practiced the martial art of aikido for 15 years, first under DiAnne Sensei in Massachusetts (where I met Philip Traunstein), then a year with Bookman Sensei in Seattle, then with George Ledyard Sensei in Bellevue. I made too many friends to list here, but you know who you are - you are remembered!

Last Thursday on my morning walk, we stopped for our usual coffee break at the highest point in West Seattle. Looking out over the city, we drank deeply from our travel mugs, assessed the state of the world, and set out again.

Later, one of my walking buddies told me, "I saw you standing next to that low concrete wall, and thought, 'He could not possibly forget it's there and fall over it.'"

To the contrary: I possibly could!

When humans walk, we tend to project our center of gravity forward without thinking about what our lower limbs are doing. This habit works pretty well, except when a forgotten low wall blocks your feet. Suddenly my legs were way behind my body and gravity did its thing. My beautiful face headed for the cement at 16 feet per second squared.

Practicing 3 times a week for 15 years adds up to over 2,000 classes, in each of which we take (let us say) than 100 ukkemi (falls) - almost certainly more. That gives 3x52x15x100: more than 200,000 falls!

I am happy to report that Thursday's ukkemi #200,001 was as habitual as walking. I felt barely time to think, "Hunh?" while tucking into a decent enough shoulder roll, arms slapping out to minimize the impact. My stainless steel mug bounced on the pavement; I snagged it as I stood, and we walked on.

My friends just shook their heads.

Falling is something that happens to all of us sooner or later. A moment of inattention or bad luck and boom! you can get a face full of concrete and lose your coffee. How to take a fall and get up again has to be learned, you have to put in the time learning it, and you can have a good time learning while making friends.

I'm not talking only about physical falling, either. In life, everybody is going to take a fall in some way. A physical or mental shoulder roll can save your face; maybe now is a good time to start practicing.

To all my many friends in aikido and elsewhere who helped me learn to take a fall: my face is as beautiful as ever thanks to you. I appreciate that and I appreciate you!