How do we define Parkour

Lee, John

Freshman Composition
Mr. Beall
26 October 2012

How do we define Parkour?
I’m always asked, “Why do you do that?” “How do you do all that?”, but the most frequently question is “How you not scarred when you do this crazy stuff?” But see have you ever found yourself daydreaming hard about getting out of a busy hallway or a busy street? There has to be another or faster way around all this. Try and imagine yourself in what I call a “military obstacle course” in which you take full advantage of the physical talent of your athleticism, free minded using the surroundings for the most creative type of travel you’ll ever experience. In these upcoming paragraphs I will be explaining the history and its ups and downs to the sport. In the year of 1902, “a French soldier Georges Herbert was stationed in Saint Pierre, Martinique when all of a sudden volcano explodes.”(American Parkour)From all the chaos that was going on Georges Herbert had an eye-opener, which led to his motto that still holds the truth for the performance of Parkour, "etre fort pour etre utile" which means: "be strong to be useful." Being struck with enlightenment of the native tribes and the way they moved he created the saying that is still used today called “methode naturelle" which involved learning all indispensable athletics. Decades later, another soldier Raymond Belle, positioned in Vietnam has a son named David Belle and teaches him about "methode naturelle". This new movement of life made a great impact in his life to such a degree that he continues to practice this new style of movement and ends up bringing it to the Parisian suburb of Lisses. Today, these practices have accelerated in life itself. Here are 3 subjects that I’ve come to realization about the mental negativity that keep a mental block from performing these crucial movements.” (American Parkour)
First, “Knowledge is empowering. With knowledge comes confidence.” The back tuck also called the back flip, is usually the trick people would fear most as a beginner. When trying my first flip I would try and visualize doing it just for a second rather than focusing on it. Too much thinking can abuse the mind by playing awful tricks on you. I’ve always acted upon my actions first then thinking about it because I have been doing this for so long, which is wrong in reality as people say. Worrying is no longer an option especially dealing with big stunts. You just have to go for it. There’s a first for everything in your life, why not take a chance.

Second, learn from your mistakes, even if it’s a trick either you would never dream of doing or the fear takes over your mental state of mind. Failure is the most important lesson to learn from because we can use it to achieve greatness. It allows you to learn from your mistakes and have the ability to redo them in the near future having the knowledge and positive mentality to fix it. Unlike other types of athletic activities, failure is the worst feeling to have. Fear has a huge impact among everyone’s lives, full of the restraint from Parkour; with dangerous limitations everywhere. For it’s all on you to take that risk, that extra step, to those extremes stunts in those type situations. But in this case you can’t have that mentality or serious hard thought come to you. This new sport gives you the opportunity to view your life with no restrictions and to face your biggest fears. People may think you’re crazy for doing this but inside their minds are filled with envy. This definitely doesn’t mean you can or have to freak out about the occurrences that happen later, because the future always has its unexpected changes. You and I both have to use the everyday tools to every challenge you take on to the substantial situations present me in this awesome skill. That’s the greatest true self-confidence anyone could ever have. The ability to think about nothing is the best mindset for this. Trying to see what’s going to happen next might not be the best idea but it’s your opinion on how you want to do it. Therefore, there is absolutely no giving up, backing down, giving out any type of a fearful thoughts.

Third, “Parkour is about thinking outside the box. Instead of walking the pavement”(American Parkour) or up and down those boring stairs we could make our own way around the world and that's what we have to do with life! That’s why I have always done this. Parkour gives you great motivation and determination, and a huge drive of never ending adrenaline. When I first started the art of Parkour I didn’t understand the banning against the competition at all. I am by nature a big competitive type of person. When I was younger I would fantasize myself scaling through the woods as if I was training for an Olympic event. Always remember that with strength comes confidence. The confidence of knowing you can control your own mental thoughts and body movements will allow greatness in one’s life with anybody. Parkour isn’t for everyone. Not everyone has the talent or gift others have but it’s always nice to try and give it a shot. If you love the feeling of unlimited adrenaline then Parkour would be a great tribute for yourself. Don’t knock it till you try it is what I always say.

I would like to end this note by saying I have become tremendously captivated just by watching the bailing part of the session. The real Parkour is verified through slow and patient moments that need to carefully and safely watch. For future reference, remember there is absolutely no time for an estimate, nervousness if it goes good or even terrible. Always keep a positive state of mind that you can do anything if you set your mind to it. Envision the feeling being in that state of mind every minute; to have 100% recognition of the physical and mental restrictions that guide us through life as we know it today. However, we have no idea what's going to happen next.

Works Cited
Cecka, Tyson. "Parkour Generations in New York: Training Day in Central Park." Parkour Generations Database. 14 Jan 2010. Web.6 Sept 2012. <http://www.parkourgenerations.com/article/parkour-generations-new-york>

Witbrod, Patrick. “Parkour "Life on the Edge?" American Parkour APK. 23 Oct 2011. Web. 6 Sept 2012.
<http://www.americanparkour.com/learn/articles/informative/6835-parkour-qlife-on-the-edgeq>

Moreland, Charles. “Society, Parkour, and Confidence - Part 2”American Parkour APK. 02 Feb 2010. Web. 14 Sept 2012.
< http://www.americanparkour.com/learn>