To a layman Parkour is the series of stunts performed by Akshay kumar in Thums up advertisement in which he jumps from one building to another. Ask an Parkour enthusiast and he will tell you that parkour aka PK or the art of displacement is a discipline to overcome any obstacle by adapting one’s move as per the environment. Parkour involves a series of skills like jumping, climbing and of course running. It is generally practiced in Urban areas because it was meant for the concrete environment.
Officially the American Parkour defined Parkour in 2009 as “Parkour is the physical discipline of training to overcome any obstacle within one’s path by adapting one’s movements to the environment”.? Parkour requires… consistent, disciplined training with an emphasis on functional strength, physical conditioning, balance, creativity, fluidity, control, precision, spatial awareness, and looking beyond the traditional use of objects.? Parkour movements typically include… running, jumping, vaulting, climbing, balancing, and quadrupedal movement. Movements from other physical disciplines are often incorporated, but acrobatics or tricking alone do not constitute parkour.? Parkour training focuses on… safety, longevity, personal responsibility, and self-improvement. It discourages reckless behavior, showing off, and dangerous stunts.? Parkour practitioners value… community, humility, positive collaboration, sharing of knowledge, and the importance of play in human life, while demonstrating respect for all people, places, and spaces.—American Parkour Community Definition
Parkour !
Parkour came into existence when Raymond Belle started training his son David Belle in obstacle course training and method naturelle. David combined these with martial arts and gymnastics. In the year 1997 Yamakasi was created and then finally Parkour came alive. In the concept of Fight or Flight parkour deals with the later one.Parkour had its shot of fame in the western culture from the movies Banlieue 13, Casino royale and Live free or Die Hard. The ones who got involved in Parkour in early 2000 were the one who were influenced by the documentary Jump London. But owing to the Hollywood movies, Parkour has become a popular culture in the western world. The military of the United States and United Kingdom have sought to incorporate Parkour Training in their training.
Parkour means connecting to the environment. Hence the only accessories required for parkour are a pair of good running shoes, a light weight trouser and a good T-shirt. However Parkour requires a fit, well conditioned body, a focused and balanced mind and utmost discipline.Thus next time you find someone jumping off the roof, think of Parkour.
