Parkour
Parkour, also known as free running, is a dynamic form of exercise that originated in France and emphasizes the efficient navigation of urban environments through running, jumping, climbing, and vaulting. Practitioners, known as traceurs, use their surroundings creatively to execute movements that can range from simple jumps to complex flips and vaults. The discipline traces its roots back to Georges Hébert, a French naval officer who developed the Natural Method, a fitness regimen inspired by the agility and fitness of indigenous African peoples. His concepts influenced David Belle, who further adapted these techniques into what is now recognized as parkour.
Parkour emphasizes natural and efficient movement, with a focus on physical fitness and personal expression. Key skills include basic rolls, which help protect athletes from falls, and more advanced techniques like the Kong vault, used for clearing obstacles. The sport has gained worldwide popularity, inspiring various media representations and leading to the establishment of organizations that support the parkour community. Annual competitions, such as those organized by the Sport Parkour League, showcase the athleticism and creativity of participants. Overall, parkour is not just a physical activity but a cultural movement that celebrates freedom of movement and self-improvement.
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Parkour
Parkour, also called free running (or freerunning), is a popular form of exercise that developed in France. It is based on rapid, efficient movements through urban surroundings. Parkour practitioners jump, run, and climb through cities. More advanced parkour practitioners utilize rolls, vaults, flips, and wall runs to rapidly move through alleyways, up walls, and across rooftops.
Overview
Parkour can trace its roots to Georges Hébert, a French naval officer. While in the navy, Hébert spent time with indigenous African peoples. He was quickly impressed by the level of physical fitness and dexterity these groups displayed. Most importantly, Hébert was astounded that they were able to maintain such high levels of fitness without gyms, workout equipment, or organized training regiments.
Hébert took this knowledge back to France, where he developed the Natural Method. The Natural Method was a fitness regimen designed to create strong, flexible, coordinated individuals with no equipment other than one's immediate surroundings. The French military incorporated the Natural Method into its obstacle courses, called parcours du combattant.
Raymond Belle trained under Hébert and enjoyed the results he achieved using the Natural Method. Belle passed the technique on to his son, David, and encouraged him to train in a similar manner. The younger Belle and his friends began to use the Natural Method to train in urban environments. They climbed walls, leaped fences, and jumped across rooftops to improve their physical fitness. As they grew more practiced, their stunts became more daring and acrobatic. Once Belle and his friends earned media attention, their unique method of training began to spread throughout the world. It was called "parkour" after the French military's obstacle course.
Parkour evolved into its own style of exercise. The basic idea behind parkour is traversing urban terrain in whatever way feels both natural and efficient. It may involve running, jumping, sliding, or climbing. As parkour participants grow fit, confident, and skilled, they begin to perform these movements faster and more aggressively. Many seek out gymnastics training to learn stunts such as flips and spins.
The roll is considered one of the most important stunts for parkour participants to learn. To perform a basic roll, the athlete places his or her arms in a hoop shape over their head and allows forward momentum to push themselves into a somersault. Rolls are used to protect parkour participants during falls. If carried out properly, the roll redirects the falling individual's momentum and prevents injury from occurring.
The Kong vault is a more difficult parkour stunt. It is used to vault over a long, wide object. To begin a Kong vault, the athlete sprints at the object. He or she then dives forward over the object. Once the shoulders are over the edge of the object, the arms are brought down. The athlete then presses off the object with his or her hands, arms, and shoulders, which propels the body forward. As this step is completed, the athlete raises his or her hips, clearing the object.
A testament to its popularity, parkour has been featured in commercials, films, and video games. Several organizations have been founded to support and connect parkour athletes, including the World Freerunning Parkour Federation and the Sport Parkour League. The latter league also hosts an annual parkour competition.
Bibliography
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Lawrence, Cameron. "How Parkour Works." MapQuest, www.mapquest.com/travel/outdoor-activities/urban-sports/parkour.htm. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.
Parkin, Simon. "Life on the Edge," Guardian, 25 Mar. 2017, www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/mar/25/parkour-free-runner-killed-on-paris-metro-sport-mustang-wanted. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.
Schwarts, Steven. "Tapp Brothers: Innovators in Parkour Training." Parkour-Learn More, 8 Jan. 2024, learnmoreparkour.com/about-the-tapps.htm/. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.
Sport Parkour League, www.sportparkourleague.com/. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.
Wilkinson, Alec. "No Obstacles." New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2007, www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/04/16/no-obstacles. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.