This is my parkour essay thing i spent 5 hours writing for final report in media class. Of course we gotta give this oral and that sucks alot. But o well. I just thought i'd share it with the good people of APK and see if i did horrible or well in the eyes of traceurs. so there it is!
PARKOUR
expression of freedom, through motion and movement
by Van VH
WHAT IS PARKOUR/FREE RUNNING/
What is parkour. To understand parkour you have to know whats not parkour. Parkour is the art of moving through your environment as fast and efficient as possible using your body. This will include using such "moves" as vaults, climbing, running, jumping, and if its the most suitable method for the situation, crawling. Parkour can be seen as a race, a race through your environment. It can also be used for evasion from a pursuer, or if you need to get to a location as fast as possible. The idea is to move with an undisrupted motion and momentum. Never having to turn around, or go around an object causing a loss in time.
So now you have the idea of what parkour is, what isn't parkour? Well if you know what parkour is, then you should know what isn't parkour. Anything that disrupts your motion of movement. Anything that will slow you down, such as flips, spins and other aerobatic moves. Anything that seems pointless or reckless. This is commonly known as free running. Free running can be titled, *the cousin* of parkour. While parkour is about following a path to move through the environment as fast and efficient as possible, Free running is more about self expression. Following your own path and flaring out your movement with flips and spins.
PARKOUR'S ORIGIN
To look at parkour's origin, you have to look at a French solder, who served in the Vietnam war. He and his comrades worked to develop an efficient method to pass obstacles in case of a reach, or escape situation. His name is Raymond Belle and he passed this training down to his son David Belle who then began to spend much of his life training it as parkour. Along with him were some friend who helped parkour in the early stages. The most commonly known would probably be Sebastien Foucan.
David and his crew grew up in lisses, France and was probably the very first parkour team created. There team was called Yamakasi. The word Yamakasi comes from the language of Lingala which is spoken in the two Congo's. Ya Makasi can mean strong body, strong spirit or strong person. Though in French usage its closer to high energy.
PARKOURS PHILOSOPHY
Lots of traceurs take there training and principle they obtain through parkour and apply it to there everyday lives. By challenging themselves it becomes easier to deal with life situation. Parkour is about over coming obstacles no matter how big. Life is full of obstacles that need to be overcome. By using parkour as not only as a discipline but a way of life, you earn a key to better living.
PARKOUR PRACTITIONERS/TRACEURS
So, what do you call these parkour practitioners. Simple, there known as traceurs for males and traceues for females. All though traceurs is the more dominant word for both sexes.
PARKOUR, THE BENEFITS, THE LONG RUN, THE RISKS
Although no one has really been involved in parkour long enough to feel any dis comfort in the long run for practicing parkour, the benefits can go either way. The good benefits, come in both physical and mental strength. Of course one who trains in parkour will be physically fit due to the hardship of the training. There perception over there environment changes. Objects will be seen differently, and the mind of a traceur will never be the same.
Better health, a stronger body, and stronger mind are the ideal benefits behind parkour. But remember, that along with any kind of sport or art, if not taken seriously, parkour can quickly become very dangerous. Resulting in severe injury and even death. Parkour is a very risky sport/art. But traceurs will say its more of a calculated risk. Yes the "moves" are risky, but with the proper training and mind set, the risks will be lowered dramatically. With that is another question of the joints or knees. The constant landing and jumping puts strain on the joints and knees of the body. The body wasn't developed to take such impact repeatedly. So there are technique traceurs do to help get rid of some of the shock resulting in getting rid of the strain that may damage the joints, muscles, and other body parts.
THE VAULTS, THE JUMPS, THE LANDINGS AND ROLLS
Vaulting, climbing, jumping, landing and rolling are all involved while one moves through there environment as fast and efficient as possible. The very first and most important of them all to learn would be the basic landing, and rolling. After would be the more complex of movement such as specific vaults.
1. the basic landing-
The basic landing is designed to "slap" or transfer the shock from the knees and joints to other parts of the body. It is used at any time, anywhere a roll is not needed. This may increase in hight as the body gets stronger and the traceur becomes more advanced. The landing can be seen as a few simple steps. 1. During the dismount off of the object bring the knees up to the chest. This will provide a much smoother technique and motion control. 2. Spot and keep eye contact on landing the entire time. 3. While nearing the ground reach your feet to the landing site. Remember to keep your toes pointed down and prepare to land on the balls of your toes. This helps in body control. 4. Once your toes engage bend your knees, then your hips slightly. Upon impact and during this whole motion slap the ground with your hands in the middle of your legs. This will help transfer shock. The final position will have you resting on the balls of your toes, knee's pointed out, hands in the middle of the legs touching the ground. To help get rid of even more shock and potential strain. Explode into a run after landing.
2. the basic roll-
The roll is used when jumping off an object has forward momentum (running and jumping off an object). This technique is used to re-direct the shock safely. The roll can take months to feel comfortable with. And should not be practiced on concrete until one feels comfortable in there technique. The roll can be broken down in several steps. 1. jump off the object while running forward. Use the basic landing technique (knees against chest, spot the landing site, upon landing point toes down and reach for the ground) 2. upon impact bend the knees but this time use your legs to push forward while placing your hands on one side of your head on the ground. 3. Now, tuck the side of your shoulder were your hands are in. Use your legs to power your body forward at a diagonal motion. A good rule to remember is to roll from right shoulder to left hip, or vice versa. 4. Now the final motion. Upon the roll, come out on your feet use your hands to push your body up, and explode into a run.
Those are the most important things a traceur will learn. Upon them are many other variation of vaults.
1. The monkey
2. The king kong
3. The lazy boy
4. The kash
5. The turn vault
6. The dash vault
7. The cat leap
8. The speed vault
9. The underbar
10. The precision jump
11. The cat walk
12. The tic tac
13. The wall run
14 The pop vault
15. The gap jump
These are the main motion of movement. They can be modified, and if used correctly are very effective in running through your environment efficiently. For tutorials of all the "moves" you can visit
www.urbanfreeflow.com or
www.americanparkour.com or
www.texasparkour.com These techniques will take months and even years to perfect. But in the long run is well worth it. Not only are they effective but they look smooth and somewhat impressive.
THE TRAINING AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE BODY AND MIND
So, were do traceurs train exactly and how do they train? Most traceurs train in urban environments, using man made obstacles such as buildings, walls, rails, and other street objects. But its good to also train in what mother nature has to offer. This will help strengthen the mind and body of the traceur.
Traceurs may train anywhere between 2 to 6 hours a day or more, and up to 2 to 6 days a week. More serious traceurs train between the 6 hours and 6 days a week area. Traceurs train there technique. There mind to over come hight fear and other various fears. Training doesn't only consist of training technique. It involves strength training and stretching. Sometimes meditations. Traceurs may climb the highest building or object they can and just sit on top of it. Looking down on there environment. This may be a kind of meditation training. Traceurs train from bottom up. They start small. From jumps of only a couple of feet, then slowly as they increase in skill, they move up. Its important to train at your own pace and never rush into anything. If you don't feel you can do it. Don't do it!
Remember that just because you not out running or specifically training parkour you can't train at all. There are hundreds of strength trainings and stretching s. These are very important in the overall performance of a traceur. Eating and eating right is another thing that can effect a traceur for better or for worse. By eating right and healthy, you can increase your energy usage and capacity. Helps keep muscles at there max. Focus is stronger and much more. The right food can do allot to the body and mind. And a good body means a better traceur.
Running is one of the most neglected training method. Running is a huge part in parkour. By jogging everyday a traceur increases there overall stamina, leg strength, and is one of the best cardio workouts you can do.
Act like a animal. Go ahead. so what. you'll look like an idiot. But acting like a monkey can be very good training. Just hang around, climb things at a local park. Walk on all fours. Just have fun with it.
Balance is the key to muscle control. Practice your balance as much as possible. You can do this by rail walking, cat walking, and anything to were you can just go slow and control your body movement. Increased balance means better movement and technique. Better awareness and a stronger mind.
FEAR AND PROGRESSION
One of the biggest things a traceur will deal with is fear. The fear of not completing a "move" and getting injured. Fear is all in the mind. The traceur must figure out why they are afraid and then once that is done. Figure out how to progress through the fear. One of the biggest rules in parkour is to not do something you don't feel 100 percent with. When performing something with even the slightest fear or hesitation, its a cause for disaster. Take your time, and in time you will grow stronger.
PARKOUR AND JOHNY LAW
It's inevitable when training parkour. It will happen and its good to be prepared for it. Yes as a traceur practicing parkour in public places on public property. You will be stopped by the law. And when this happens it is very important to know how to explain and deal with the situation. Yes talking to the cops can be nerve racking. But if handled properly can be a great way to spread the word of parkour. Here it goes, your training and a cop stops you. One of the first things there going to ask you is what are you doing. While answering this question its important on what you say. Don't go saying, "im doing parkour, a sport created in France by a man named David belle"....... The cops or who ever will only get more confused and thus not pay attention to you. Say something more like, "were practicing a sport called parkour/free running" use both most cops wont' know what parkour is, by using free running they may understand it easier. If the cop asks what parkour or free running is, tell them simply, its like an urban obstacle course. Keep it plain and simple. Just be sure to let the cop know your not vandalizing. This is most of there concerns. Don't get to detailed. Only get detailed if the cop seems interested and wants to know more. Usually 99 percent of the time all they do is take a name check and then tell you you can't do this here please move on. Then simply move on. Don't argue or anything. A really good way is to get owner consent that allows you to train on there property. All though this is difficult to get it can be obtained. The NUMBER ONE RULE!! NEVER RUN WHEN A COP STOPS YOU!!!
PARKOUR, HAVE FUN, LEARN, TRAIN, GROW AND USE IT IN YOUR LIFE
Parkour is a discipline that at first hurts, you'll bleed, you'll ache, you'll sweat. But its important never to give up. And don't forget to have fun with it. Learn from it. Pay attention and watch your self grow. Apply it to your life. Parkour is on the growth and is spreading every day. Anyone can do it, all you need is some good shoes, and some good trainers. Make friends. And remember to just flow......
I'd like to thank
www.americanparkour.com www.urbanfreeflow.com and www. texasparkour.com for informationiin this report.
