Parkour

[rodl]

Parkour. Some call it a sport. Some call it an art form. Some call it a discipline. But to those who practice it, it is much more than that. It is a way of life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parkour, known as the art of displacement (motion), is a physical activity which involves moving on foot from one point to another in the fastest, most fluid, and most efficient way possible, overcoming all obstacles in oneÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s way (this does not include flips, contrary to popular belief). This involves running and jumping in an urban environment. Think of it as using the city as you own personal obstacle course. See a rail? Vault over it. See a wall? Climb it. See a gap? Leap across it. Come to a ledge? Jump down. Everything around you can be used as part of your parkour journey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the greatest things about parkour is that anyone can do it. Because it is based around movements your body is meant to do naturally, it is extremely easy to pick up. It is as simple as going outside and experimenting with whatÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s around you - trying to vault that rail, trying to jump over that park bench. Of course, itÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s always better to have someone join you in your training. This leads us to another great thing about parkour - the sense of friendship it inspires. ItÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s something you can do with a bunch of buddies if youÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢re just hanging out. Instead of sitting around and eating junk food, why not have more fun by doing parkour outside and burning some energy? Think about it. If youÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢ve ever tried to motivate yourself to get out and exercise, instead of doing something boring, try parkour for a change. You wonÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t regret it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, if youÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢re thinking about starting parkour, but have some doubts, I know exactly how you feel. If youÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢re asking yourself right now, what if IÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢m not good enough? What if I canÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t do things some others can? Fear not. Everyone who practices parkour goes at their own pace. No one will pressure you into doing something you donÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t want to do. This is because there is no competition in parkour. Parkour is about self-improvement. You donÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t measure your skill by comparing yourself with others, but by seeing how much you yourself have progressed. If you are constantly doing things you couldnÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t do before, thatÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s the reward in and of itself. And let me tell you, it is a great feeling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overcoming all of these obstacles in parkour will carry on in other aspects of your life too. By constantly achieving the goals you set in parkour, you will feel better and more confident about everything you do outside of parkour. You can look at the world and not feel completely overwhelmed by it. Like in parkour, you realize you can take things step by step. Everything seems easier. Everything seems more possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the flip side, parkour is also a great way to relieve stress. If you feel like you just need a break, you can go outside and do some parkour. Release all that pent-up energy inside you, and come back calmer and more relaxed. Those endorphins released by your brain when you exercise will make you feel happier, and it is easier to forget about your worries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parkour is about freedom. Imagine using things which are supposed to restrict your movement (walls, rails, etc.) to actually enhance it instead. Nothing can force you to move in a certain way. Move the way you want to move. It is about adapting to the environment around you, using every aspect of your surroundings to propel you further and further.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parkour is about looking at the world in a new way. It is about opening your eyes to the world and seeing something completely different. It is about (to steal MorpheusÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢ famous words) freeing your mind. You gain a new perspective on the world. You see things in a new way. You notice the beauty in things which others deem boring and mundane. You gain a new sense of awareness in your world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, if you look at pictures or videos of parkour, youÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢ll see people jumping from rooftop to rooftop, moving at breakneck speeds, as well as dropping from large heights to the ground. If youÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢re thinking, isnÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t this a bit dangerous? DonÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t worry. Remember that these people have practiced for years and years to get where they are. As with any other organized physical activity, safety comes absolutely first in parkour. Everyone who starts parkour learns the basics first, and gradually gets better and better. And because there is no one pushing you past your limits, itÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s probably even safer than most other activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still interested? Great. Parkour will change your life for the better. It is a workout for your mind, body, and soul. For more information about parkour, be sure to check out http://www.pkto.ca. But for now, just get out and move. You wonÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t regret it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written by Jonathan Sun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a nice video of pros doing some of the things.

 

 

 

http://youtube.com/watch?v=uUksaD-JJgI

[splatmster24]

parkour, second only to paintball and airsoft. :D

[Rebdragon]

Not like even 2% of people can really do it :-w . I suppose a few more people can do basic stuff, but not much more than that :lol: .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seen that vid before, it's definitely one of the better ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of those guys needs to have the cops chasing him already. That's be insane to watch...

[Guest AshKaYu]

We're studying it in school!

 

 

 

We saw David Belles videos, he's amazing. 4 Stories in 15 seconds ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But maybe you should mention not to push yourself, go slower then ever. Pros have training and experience, and I would be pissed if someone thought they could do what they do.

[rodl]

Not like even 2% of people can really do it :-w . I suppose a few more people can do basic stuff, but not much more than that :lol: .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seen that vid before, it's definitely one of the better ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of those guys needs to have the cops chasing him already. That's be insane to watch...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is why you have to be determined... My whole upper body hurts from working out. Screw the pain.

[Rebdragon]

 

Not like even 2% of people can really do it :-w . I suppose a few more people can do basic stuff, but not much more than that :lol: .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seen that vid before, it's definitely one of the better ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of those guys needs to have the cops chasing him already. That's be insane to watch...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is why you have to be determined... My whole upper body hurts from working out. Screw the pain.

 

 

 

I can do a decent amount of that stuff... I just need to be able to do the damn splits >_

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyone have any suggestions for becoming flexible enough for the splits/holding your legs at 180 degrees?

[Bubsa]

There's a couple of good links in this thread too. Worth a gander for beginners and advanced amateurs alike:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://forum.tip.it/viewtopic.php?t=370 ... ht=parkour

[rodl]

 

 

Not like even 2% of people can really do it :-w . I suppose a few more people can do basic stuff, but not much more than that :lol: .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seen that vid before, it's definitely one of the better ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of those guys needs to have the cops chasing him already. That's be insane to watch...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is why you have to be determined... My whole upper body hurts from working out. Screw the pain.

 

 

 

I can do a decent amount of that stuff... I just need to be able to do the damn splits >_

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyone have any suggestions for becoming flexible enough for the splits/holding your legs at 180 degrees?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALWAYS warm up. Don't do things if you aren't warmed up... No surprise if you will stretch anything without warming up. Also, for splits I've heard you need to push yourself down for about 4 times a day (?) Why do you need splits in parkour through?

[Rebdragon]

 

I can do a decent amount of that stuff... I just need to be able to do the damn splits >_

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyone have any suggestions for becoming flexible enough for the splits/holding your legs at 180 degrees?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALWAYS warm up. Don't do things if you aren't warmed up... No surprise if you will stretch anything without warming up. Also, for splits I've heard you need to push yourself down for about 4 times a day (?) Why do you need splits in parkour through?

 

 

 

I guess it's not really parkour. More like parkour with tricks on the side, 'cause flips are too cool to not try and get them down :P .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm only 5'7" with a bit of gymnastics training, so I'm thinking more along the lines of 50% parkour 50% tricks, rather than 100% parkour. I'm way better at parkour stuff than basic tricks, so I want to even them out I suppose :P .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the info :) . How long should I hold those, and should I do them at different times during the day :-k ?

[rodl]

I remember my friend was trying to do splits, he held it for about 1 minute 4 times a day, not sure through.

 

 

 

I've searched it in google, this is what I've got:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://cheerleading.about.com/od/gymnas ... splits.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some people are just more naturally flexible than others. I believe that ANYONE who really works at it can learn to do the splits. However, before you try to get into a split, be sure you have stretched your legs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Try a pike stretch 1st; sit on the floor on a pike, legs straight, toes pointed, and try and get your nose as close to your knees as you can. Hold for 30 seconds. Next, flex your feet, keeping the nose as far down as possible. After you have done this, sit in a wide straddle, and attempt to get your elbows on the floor. Hold 30 seconds, then reach your hands as far out as possible, attempting to put your nose on the floor. Again, hold 30 seconds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, place either leg in front, and lunge from your knee; your rear knee is on the floor, your front foot is far in front. Hold 30 seconds, then sit back, straighten the front leg, and try to place your nose on your knees. Then slide as far into the split as you are able. Repeat on the other side. Hold each position 30 seconds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEVER bounce while stretching or push yourself past the point of pain. Slow and steady does it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many people feel that the body is more flexible after a warm bath, so you may want to try these drills after a warm bath. I advise doing this 2 times daily, morning and evening. If you keep at it, you should see a lot of improvement in your flexibility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The above information is used with the permission of Lee, a host of the Gymnastics Forum. Please note: advice given in this article is opinion and may not be the best advice for *you*. Always consult a gymnastics professional in your area, with your parents permission*

[KCHughes]

I free run a lot! :twisted: It's so much fun, especially with a few friends. I recommend it to anyone who wants some form of fun excercise. I don't do splits, though. :P Wall running is by far my favorite free running method.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To anyone who's interested, here's a vid of some Russian pals ( :lol: ) free running. They're awesome - especially Oleg (first kid)!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russian Parkour

[Rebdragon]

I free run a lot! :twisted: It's so much fun, especially with a few friends. I recommend it to anyone who wants some form of fun excercise. I don't do splits, though. :P Wall running is by far my favorite free running method.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To anyone who's interested, here's a vid of some Russian pals ( :lol: ) free running. They're awesome - especially Oleg (first kid)!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russian Parkour

 

 

 

With the amount of stupid things those guys are doing, I wouldn't be surprised if they act as a model for teens attempting this stuff to get themselves killed, broken bones at minimum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I suppose it's a good thing you don't really need to be able to do the splits to free run :P .What amount of free running skills/tricks can you do?

[KCHughes]

I'm not nearly as reckless as they are. Wall running is my favorite trick. If I'm in a narrow enough alley I can get to the top of the walls easily (but not too wide, since I can't do splits :lol: ) If I've got a lot of momentum I can simply jump to about my shoulder level on the wall and then get onto another obstacle nearby. I've been trying forever to do that run up the wall/backflip trick, but I think I'm too tall - I just can't tuck myself in. I use old matresses so I don't kill myself.

[Rebdragon]

I'm not nearly as reckless as they are. Wall running is my favorite trick. If I'm in a narrow enough alley I can get to the top of the walls easily (but not too wide, since I can't do splits :lol: ) If I've got a lot of momentum I can simply jump to about my shoulder level on the wall and then get onto another obstacle nearby. I've been trying forever to do that run up the wall/backflip trick, but I think I'm too tall - I just can't tuck myself in. I use old matresses so I don't kill myself.

 

 

 

If it was splits length, I'd just climb up with my palms on one wall and my feet on the other :P . Much easier in my opinion :P .

[foolgool]

I'd prefer life to death. ;) I might try it, just not at anywhere near the level of that video.

[KCHughes]

 

I'm not nearly as reckless as they are. Wall running is my favorite trick. If I'm in a narrow enough alley I can get to the top of the walls easily (but not too wide, since I can't do splits :lol: ) If I've got a lot of momentum I can simply jump to about my shoulder level on the wall and then get onto another obstacle nearby. I've been trying forever to do that run up the wall/backflip trick, but I think I'm too tall - I just can't tuck myself in. I use old matresses so I don't kill myself.

 

 

 

If it was splits length, I'd just climb up with my palms on one wall and my feet on the other :P . Much easier in my opinion :P .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey, I should try it that way sometime. Might hurt my palms a little.

[elmo_killer6]

Looks fun but i dont live in an urban area so I can't really do it hear.

[unknownmasterofnothing]

I used to climb walls b4 and jumproll down stairs, but I never considered it an art.

[sjiskebab5]

I'm an indoor climber and I'm pretty strong, done it a few times with friends. I'm not afraid of heights ( sp? ). My endurance blows tho.