Breaking into Le-Parkour
Le-Parkour, PK, Free-running, L�art du D�placement, The Art of Movement, Fluidity in Motion; these are not only the various names of our art; they are also a mantra for what we attempt to achieve. As Traceurs (or Free-runners) we attempt to overcome all obstacles in our way, as fast as humanly possible, in order to get to our destination. For many, the largest obstacles they will ever have to overcome are themselves: their subconscious fear and hesitancy, or their lack of commitment to trying something new. That mental block is one that will stay with many a Traceur for their entire Parkour career, plaguing them every time they train or attempt something new. This is most evident in beginners; most have been introduced to parkour solely through the Internet, watching videos of experienced Traceurs moving through obstacles like liquid through a sieve. But what most fail to grasp is the conditioning it takes to get to that level of ability, and the time it takes to wrap your mind around that large an array of moves. So if you�re a beginner who�s lacking in the confidence to break into the art, read on. These are some helpful hints and instructions to guide you along the path to fluidity.
To help yourself overcome the physical and mental barriers that Parkour entails it�s best to find circumstances under which you feel the most comfortable. Here are some things to do before you start jumping and moving.
1) Find a more experienced Traceur to train with (if at all possible).
Most Traceurs are extremely friendly and more then willing to help the newer guys (and gals) along, they can help in a plethora of ways, from critiquing your technique, to spotting you during moves or helping you scout out possible areas to train in. More then anything they help you feel relaxed about what you will be attempting, because they�ve had the same hesitation that you have and know exactly where your coming from when you express fear. If you�re having problems finding local Traceurs, be sure to join and read parkour forums, often times they have sections for each province or state where you can talk to and meet fellow local Traceurs. Some of the more notable sites are listed at the end of the article.
2) Find yourself a good location.
Find somewhere that is suited to the type of movements you plan on training, look for smaller or lower obstacles than you hope to be able to one day achieve, that way you can train at a very comfortable level and work your way up. In parkour you need to have the confidence to take the obstacles that come your way head on, so don�t feel stupid about training at a smaller scale. It�s helping you build the necessary courage you need for later, whilst helping you nail the technique. On a side note, attempt to find somewhere with grass or another soft substance underfoot, this helps immensely with building courage, and can cushion any bails you may have.
3) Get in a good warm-up before beginning to train.
Your warm-up should include some light stretches and possibly running on the spot or taking a quick jog around the area. The aim is to relax your muscles and make them a little more flexible and to increase your heart rate. This will make you more physically capable and will also help to stop injury. Injuries are often a fear of beginners, and this is a key way to alleviate them (of course you should also be taking smart calculated risks, don�t push yourself to hard too fast. That too can lead to injury).
The finite details that experienced Traceurs call upon are not often at a beginner�s disposal, so for some, even the simplest of vaults and techniques pose almost unbreakable barriers. Many who are first attempting parkour go into it solo, or with a friend or two that is also new, visiting local parks or schools, without anyone more experienced by their side to help them begin their training. So let�s talk about some of the symptoms of mental blocks and how they inhibit your training.
1) Failed runs: Running or walking towards an obstacle only to stop at the last second and chicken out - This is most often caused by lack of commitment. Stop for a moment and gauge why you�re scared - do you have a good enough handle on the technique? Can you practice the move in another, less fearful location? Identify the fear before attempting it again, you may find you feel less fear the second and third time around, remember, in Parkour repetition is key.
2) Stutter stepping: Doing lots of fast-paced baby steps as you near an obstacle. Most people do this because they have trouble finding the proper foot placement, or are worried that once they reach the obstacle, they will not be in a proper position. This can be solved by walking the route to the obstacle before attempting to run the distance, taking the same steps you would if you were running, and deciding the foot placement before-hand so it doesn�t slow you down later.
3) Stalling: When you attempt a vault and stop on top of the obstacle instead of continuing over it, IE: vaulting a fence and placing your feet on the top of it mid-way through your vault. This is caused by lack of commitment as well. Take another look at your technique and consider the results of a bail. Were the surroundings safe? How can you land or take a fall if you don�t make it? You can often ease your fear if you take into consideration the worst-case scenario, and if it�s nothing too serious, then you might find you�re less hesitant about giving the move all you have.
More then anything else I encourage all new comers to the art to keep at it. Becoming discouraged and quitting is one of the easiest things to do, but remember; these movements are brand new to you, it�s okay to be hesitant and to fail a few times. Keep going, as I said before, repetition is key in parkour. If at first you fail, try and try again, even if you continue to find yourself stuck remember that by attempting things you are giving your body a workout and making it more capable for the next time you come out to train. So don�t let that mental block get you down, go out there and train, soon enough you�ll find yourself throwing down Kongs and Dashes as if it were as simple as walking down the street, IF you keep at it. So get outside and train, you�ll most likely find you love the exhilaration you find in the fluid world of Le-Parkour.
Websites to help you locate local Traceurs:
www.le-parkour.ca
www.pkto.ca
www.parkour.net
www.urbanfreeflow.com
By: Chase Ivany