Parkour
Parkour is the art of movement, rooted in the physical discipline of its French founders. The practice involves navigating obstacles in the environment by maneuvering one’s body quickly and fluidly. With its image tied to pop culture and social media influencers, parkour has become an increasingly popular form of recreational activity, with groups found all over the world engaging in various forms of the sport.
Developed by David Belle, Sebastien Foucan, and other French traceurs in the late 1980s, parkour drew on ancient and modern disciplines like gymnastics and martial arts. The goal was to move through environments as quickly and efficiently as possible, simply by using the body. Defined by efficiency, speed, agility, and precision, parkour emphasizes improvisation in the face of any obstacle.
Despite the heightened athleticism typically portrayed in films and on social media, parkour can be practiced by anyone. It is not just a physical discipline, but a mental one as well. Commitment, dedication, discipline, and patience are all key components of mastering the sport. Moreover, the risk involved means that safety and awareness are considered vital parts of each practice session.
For no two parkour training locations are alike, sessions often provide an opportunity for creative expression. Each unique environment can take on personal or aesthetic value. The discipline is highly customizable, and practitioners will often design obstacle courses to complement their physical ability and the space available. Training exercises can range from simple warmups and conditioning, to complex sequences and gym classes.
The parkour community plays an important role in providing education, support, and camaraderie. Members will often refer to each other as “traceurs” and “traceuses”, and collaborations between different practitioners are commonplace. With an emphasis on progress and safety, groups are free to create and share their own styles and techniques, while respecting the foundations of the practice.
There are several different approaches to parkour. Freerunning, created by Seb Foucan and Sébastien Foucault, is a more extreme and acrobatic discipline that takes parkour to new levels. It often involves complex flips and spins that have a theatrical, yet risky flare. Practitioners who focus on precision and technique, as opposed to stunts and tricks, are often referred to as “parkour purists”.
Whether or not you plan on pursuing parkour, it is important to remember that the activity is more than just a sport - it’s a way of life. As a discipline that teaches discipline, it offers an opportunity to stay fit and healthy, and develop an aesthetic understanding of our environment. Parkour is an art that encourages collaboration, creativity, and strength of body and mind.
