Parkour/Introduction

What is Parkour?

Parkour is a physical discipline inspired by human movement, focusing on uninterrupted, efficient forward motion over, under, around and through obstacles (both man-made and natural) in one's environment. Such movement may come in the form of running, jumping, climbing and other more complex techniques. The goal of parkour is to adapt one's movement to any given obstacle.

According to founder David Belle, the spirit of parkour is guided in part by the notions of "escape" and "reach", that is, the idea of using physical agility and quick thinking to get out of difficult situations, and to be able to go anywhere that one desires.

How can I start?

In order to begin, all you have to do is research, maybe get some friends in it, then go out and try some stuff. It is strongly urged that beginner traceurs start small at first, then gradually try harder techniques as their abilities grow. Parkour can be a dangerous practice, particularly when traceurs do not observe their surroundings correctly during a run.

Equipment

The only things you need to begin your parkour training are a pair of good Parkour shoes, comfortable clothes, and the necessary safety precautions. When choosing clothing for parkour, remember that comfortable clothing should not be overly baggy, as excess fabric may catch on obstacles. Necessary safety precautions include knowledge of the landscape you are training on. Always check behind obstacles to ensure there are no hidden dangers, such as rocks, sticks or secondary obstacles.

You should always want to switch from "good running shoes" to "barefoot shoes" or plain barefoot. Using more padded shoes can lead toward your feet relying on that extra padding and could end up causing injury. You always want to be able to practice parkour injury free. Using flat bottom or no shoes will increase your parkour skills.

Exercises

Before doing more advanced parkour, you must first begin by doing exercises. It is necessary to condition your body, and as parkour is a very physical activity, it is advisable to have a routine which includes stretches and exercises. This wikibook includes descriptions of several useful exercises in the Exercises chapter. Exercises are important in parkour because many of the techniques require one to use muscles that usually aren't worked out and strong so all kinds of exercises, targeting all muscles on your body, must be done to be able to do the moves properly.

Your first run

Before doing your first parkour run, it is recommended that you warm up your muscles with a light jog and a series of stretches to reduce muscle strain or harm during your first run. Try a regular run with low objects, such as small boulders, benches or low rails/fences to start off, then slowly progress to harder things. If you are unsure of where to practice, consider local parks or school yards. In recent years parkour's increased popularity has led to indoor parkour facilities in some cities.

A traceur practicing in a parkour facility

Physical requirements

• Development of physical force

A very important requirement of parkour is physical development. Arm and leg strength are the key for success in Parkour.

• Development in the motive coordination

The training routine takes to the earnings of more experience for new obstacles and help in the motive coordination. With time, Parkour helps one learn the movements of the body and teaches balance and control. Knowing the limits of the body creates an adaptation for new atmospheres and challenges.

• Psychological strength

A unique aspect of Parkour is the emphasis placed not on strength of body, but regarding personal fear and lack of self trust. A traceur may experience fear of getting hurt when confronting new techniques or situations. Ultimately it is important for traceurs to trust themselves if they wish for their technique to develop. Parkour is about pushing the limits of the human body as well as the human mind.

• Growth in the mobilization of obstacles

With the training it is possible to develop an atrevecia vision for obstacles. Which is the easiest road? Which is the most difficult? Is it possible to jump here? The routine takes to the naturalness of movements in new atmospheres.

• Controlling adrenaline

In scary situations or during falling, the heart beats fast and adrenaline is felt all throughout the body. The training of the movements or courses helps the traceur overcome the prescribed physical response to flail. He or she will then think about the movement. What seems difficult today he or she has to be to seem easy tomorrow.

• Helps in the personal search

Within Parkour exists philosophy and roads to the discovery of the limits of oneself.