Why is it that when my friends say what are you doing when im running around.
I answer them and say "Parkour" and they are like whats that? Has it allways been
like this or has Parkour got less known?

Yes unfortunately. so i guess we've got to make the best of it while we can.
i'm going to hate it when that day comes ; if it comes because you cant ell for sure.

Yes, it is still gaining in popularity (every month it feels more and more pronounced and it feels great), and yes we are indeed the first generation of traceurs (after Mr. Belle and the traceurs of his day. Well, before us anyway). Thus, you have to be VERY GOOD at explaining what parkour is. It'll take a few sentences and some demonstrations, but it's best explained by saying "here, watch this video" and sticking your iPod or PSP or whatever in their face and showing them just what it means to be a traceur/traceus.

If that day comes... protest it!
Ask them, why are they banning movement? that will tie their tongue and make them think about how stupid it was for them to ban it.
This country is so f*cking anal.
There really is no freedom anymore, it's all about control.
the moms don't want their children doing this so they say ban it, but that them getting involved in anothers life and banning their lifestyle.
They need to ban alcoholism and gangs, f*cking stuck ups.
I'm getting angry, it's time a stop typing.

yeah. Its already happening to. right know its in the stage right before everyone starts trying it. The stage where its in all the action movies. Im so sad im hoping im wrong i really am.

They will never be able to ban parkour. That would be like banning running. The whole banning skateboarding thing is dumb too but when skateboarding started it was about rebelling pretty much. Which parkour isn't. If skateboarding has thrived for this long then parkour will for many years to come. Also we have the internet these days and are better able to make a community and try to help parkour get and keep a good rep.

im with thomas k. in my mind but in hopes and body im with charlie. Ya know that when i first saw that sponsored by k-swiss thing i mean i was happy for apk but parkour in general i got really sad cause i dont know pk bein sponsored? i just dont like but hey thats just me. also i hate ta be the downer all the time but im seein it happen and if some kid does kill himself bein stupid (cause he dont get the basics of pk, ya know the guy doesnt understand about training and practice) then he'l be the scapegoat for the whole ruin of pk. But again i hope im wrong

I have a few points to make. First of all, I find that "free running" is a more recognizable term than "parkour." The meaning is easier to grasp to people who are uninformed. I also don't feel like its becoming less known. Many people have seen the movements, but don't know what to call it.

Paul makes a really great point. PR is going to really test us. I agree that we SHOULD train and condition as much as possible because of our freedom to do so. We should also focus on educating ourselves. We should know our rights, the current laws, and how people in our communities respond to our training. We have to expose our good works now. A little community service doesn't hurt either. We're supposed to be useful, eh?