Parkour Seattle
If walking, running, hiking, and biking aren’t providing you with enough of a workout this summer, give parkour a try.
Parkour has the goal of moving from one point to another as efficiently and quickly as possible, while using only your body. You run, jump, and climb, progressing to incrementally more complex movements and skills, as you go over, under, around and/or through obstacles. Parkour can be practiced in both urban and rural environments, stresses respect for the environment, and focuses on creativity, self-discipline, and safety, and is non-competitive.
Parkour was founded in France, and focused on practicing movements that helped with survival in the event of an emergency. It’s not really a “sport” as it has no rules, hierarchy, or competitiveness, but is more akin to the physical and mental demands of tai chi or the martial arts. Parkour increases self-confidence and critical thinking skills, traits that help in overcoming day-to-day physical and mental challenges.
Basic beginner techniques include good jumping and landing techniques, including using the “drop and roll” to continue the momentum of landing. While you may not know what parkour is, you may have seen participants jumping over benches, walls, or down stairs in your neighborhood park.
Take a look at this video interview giving you a little glimpse at parkour:
If you’d like to give parkour a try, or perhaps just want a little more information, Washington Parkour has more information, including clinics for all skill levels. Newbies to parkour are welcomed!
I love the idea of being able to scale walls and trees like this – makes me feel a little like James Bond!
Photo credit: flickr
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