Jumping ahead of the crowd

by isabella Rolfe

Slide monkeys, cat leaps, dash vaults and kongs may have absolutely no meaning to you.

To others these are the names used to describe specific jumps in the non-competitive, physically demanding and mentally challenging sport of Parkour or free-running.

The sport, which is of a French origin teaches one to overcome obstacles and adapt their movements to the environment, defeating any mental restrictions along the way.

The aim of Parkour is to get from A to B, jumping or climbing using the body and objects in your surrounding.

Overcoming obstacles

You often see traceurs (Parkour practitioners) trying out new skills in urban areas because of particularly suitable architectural structures which are available, such as walls, rails and stairs.

Leon Lawrence, 32, who has been training with Parkour Generations - a London-based club - for nearly two years is totally in love with the exercise because of the way it forces you to critically analyse jumps.

He believes this has helped him to learn how to mentally prepare himself to tackle problems in everyday life:

“Parkour is all about expressing yourself and finding a plan to overcome a problem.

"With any of the jumps you do there is always an element of risk but once you mentally prepare yourself you can overcome anything.

"That’s when you get a buzz inside you, which builds confidence and makes you want to try something that little bit more demanding”.

Similar to martial arts in a way, Parkour focuses more on escaping rather than fighting.

However, it’s not just about the running away, it’s about taking advantage of the environment around you to enable a quick getaway that incorporates mental planning and physical fitness.

Two primary features of Parkour are efficiency and speed.

Strategic thinking

It is also believed that practising the sport can help one to learn how to think strategically, taking control of a situation in a manner that involves thinking quickly and effectively to conquer a dilemma.

Not only does the sport keep you physically fit, it also changes the way you see the environment around you.

"I find myself taking more of an interest in architecture and the way space is used around us because I’ll be looking for new jumps or new places, which I can explore.

"One place we like to go is the Alexandra and Ainsworth Estate in North West London.

"This place is extremely interesting architecturally and is the perfect training ground for parkour because of its structure, which allows us to perform many high-tech tricks and jumps,” says Lawrence.

Parkour is seen as a natural, efficient movement that would have been used prehistorically when hunting or escaping.

Modern Parkour evolved from Georges Herbert, who believed in something called the Natural Method in the early 1900s.

Movements included running, jumping, climbing, balancing and swimming.

Moral requirements

As well as teaching his students how to train most effectively, Herbert attempted to prepare them for the “Moral

Requirements” of life in the most holistic way to expand their minds.

Chris Rowatt, 23, a teacher and practitioner believes that when it comes to Parkour any competitiveness should be left at home.

“When focusing on a new jump, it should be about you and your capabilities only.

"Parkour is very much about learning how to master the thought process involved in overcoming fears.

"When you’re thinking about someone else you’re not fully engaging yourself and concentrating on what your next step is and that’s when accidents happen.”

Another well-known exponent of Parkour was David Belle.

His grandfather introduced it to him after watching French soldiers practise it in Vietnam.

Belle and friends began to form a group, which was established in the late ‘80s.

The group used the urban space, getting thrills from practising jumps on buildings, stairs and generally anything that was seen as a challenge.

They called themselves Yamakasi, meaning "strong in the mind and body."

“Regardless of how long you practise it you can never really finish the journey.

There is always something bigger and better out there waiting for you.

It’s a very addictive activity.

Facing your fears

The most addictive part is when you find a new jump that really scares you, the mental process of finding a way for you to do it and not actually just forcing yourself and saying "yes I can do it", but then actually going and doing it.

You have to face a lot of fears before you jump, but actually when you complete it successfully it’s replaced by a great rush of adrenaline and a feeling of happiness,” explains Rowatt who has been a teacher at Parkour Generations for over a year now.

Parkour Generations is devoted to teaching and promoting the discipline of Parkour.

They bring together many experts who were part of the original founders and many talented practitioners who have trained in the UK.

Their objectives are to promote and develop Parkour taking its origins into account and remembering that it’s not just about jumping off high buildings and landing safely, it’s about seeking and expanding mental awareness in the whole process.

If you would like to try out this very cool activity, check out the website for classes:

www.parkourgenerations.com or email johann@parkourgenerations.com.

 

Video by: Charles Fox and Madeline Lindh