LEFT ARM ROLL
(Remember to take a deep breath and then breathe out. Also, remember why this is necessary.)

Place with your right knee on the ground, and your left foot in front of you. Place both your hands palm down on the ground, with the fingertips of both hands almost touching each other.

Turn your head to the right and look behind you.

Roll so your body weight is taken first on your left forearm and then transferred to the left shoulder.

Tuck your head well in so you don't bang it on the ground. If you fail to do this, you will bang your head; maybe even break your neck!

Your right leg (which is behind you) pushes you off to start the roll, and the weight needs to shift from your shoulder to your spine as your legs rise into the air above your head and body.

Your curved spine takes the weight, and then your buttocks as the legs come over 360 degrees and you let the legs fall gently.

Your right leg should now be on its side, slightly bent, with the right ankle on the ground. Your hips should be turned to the right, with your right buttock on the ground.

Your left leg should be bent 90 degrees at the knee, and you should have the bottom of your left foot flat on the ground.

At this point, a Judo practitioner slaps the tatami mat with the open right hand. Slap at first while you are learning. Later, do the roll without slapping.

Your left hand should be resting comfortably and loosely on your belly. It doesn't slap this time.

Practice these rolls, both left and right, for at least ten minutes. Do ten breakfalls on each side. Twenty in total.

You will discover that you have a stong side and a weak side. This is normal. Most of us are right handed, some are left- handed and a gifted few are naturally ambidextrous.

Your weak side just needs a little more work. Don't neglect it, and you will become strong and coordinated on both sides. Ignore your weak side, and it will get you injured when you need it most.

Or you will be stumped and clueless when you first have to defend yourself against a left-handed person. (If youre left-handed, you will automatically learn to handle both left and right handed attackers with ease because most attackers are right-handed.)

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