Tutorials & Talks
Here you’ll find falling tutorials and talks on balance and safe movement, presented in a practical, seminar-style format. Some content is meant to be practiced, some simply to be understood, but all of it is designed to build confidence, control, and safer movement in the real world.
I recommend learning falling techniques either on a soft surface such as grass, a mattress, couch cushions, or a gymnastics mat for safety. A mat should be at minimum 2” thick, but 4”-6” is even better if you are at known higher risk of injury.
Balance With Brent Part 3: Ground Recovery (Getting Off the Ground)
Getting off the ground after a fall is a critical life skill, yet one that many people never practice until they need it. This presentation focuses on ground recovery—how to move on the ground, regain orientation, and safely return to standing or reach help.
I discuss my general framework for teaching ground recovery, why this skill is essential for independence, and how to maneuver on the ground to reach safety. The presentation also addresses why helping someone else off the ground may not always be safe, and what to consider before intervening.
Although originally delivered live at an assisted living facility, this talk was reshot in a streamlined format after a microphone issue to ensure the full series was complete and accessible.
Balance With Brent Part 2: Falling
Falls are often treated as something to be avoided at all costs, yet very little time is spent teaching people what to do when a fall actually happens. This presentation focuses on falling itself—an essential but widely ignored part of movement health.
In this talk, I introduce my ROLL SAFE Framework and discuss the core principles of safer falling, common fall scenarios, and specific techniques that can help reduce injury risk. I also explore how fall skills can be learned and practiced even when full physical practice isn’t possible.
This session was delivered live and unrehearsed, reflecting real-time teaching, questions, and exploration of ideas as they emerged with the audience.
Balance With Brent Part 1: Balance (Pre-Fall)
Balance is often discussed, but rarely explained in a practical way. In this presentation, I break down what balance actually is, how it works, and why balance problems often show up long before a fall ever happens.
This talk explores the different systems that contribute to balance, how balance is commonly tested, and what those tests do—and don’t—tell us about real-world movement. I also discuss practical, accessible ways to work on balance that extend beyond traditional “balance exercises.”
This presentation was delivered live in an assisted living setting using an interactive, unrehearsed format, allowing for real-time discussion and audience participation.
