There are two parts to this video: falling down and getting up again. We tend to think about the fall, but the hurry to get back up deserves attention too.
The surprise of losing your balance
I describe our instinct to straighten up and reach for something when we start to fall. In the demonstration, I explore bending the knees and a rolling movement instead. These are movements to learn with suitable instruction and support, not to experiment with by deliberately falling at home.
I also tell a story about slipping on ice, catching myself, and then standing up too quickly and falling. It was a reminder to me not to hurry just because the first moment seemed to go well.
Before getting up
The second half is about taking time to notice the body after a fall. I describe paying attention from head to feet, or feet to head, and asking the people around you to wait a moment rather than pulling you up immediately.
That pause cannot rule out an injury. If you are hurt or unsure, get medical help. The idea I want to carry into everyday movement is to notice what is happening before rushing into the next action.
Do not practise falls from this video without qualified instruction. A self-check cannot exclude injury. After a fall, seek medical help for a head impact, significant pain, confusion, difficulty moving or uncertainty about getting up.
Notes adapted from Judith’s spoken demonstration. Watch the video for the full explanation.