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Learn the Art of Parkour - In Seattle and Beyond
- by jayferris
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- April 21, 2009
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In Parkour, you aim to move from one point to another as smoothly, efficiently and quickly as possible, using principally the abilities of the human body. Sounds easy, right? Maybe, but making it look good is a completely different story...
Parkour & Free Running -- A Visual Definition
Not sure what Parkour and Free Running are? This video should do the trick.
Parkour vs. Free Running
“Free Running was meant to start out as an anglicized term for Parkour (as it’s French in origin). It was first suggested to Sebastien Foucan during the filming of Jump London. Free Running has grown to be descriptive of a sort of “cousin” activity to Parkour - Free Running is more expressive and creative in nature, with moves such as acrobatics, flips, and spins added for flair, creativity, or just because someone wants to. The main difference then between Parkour and Free Running is that Parkour is defined by purpose ‘get somewhere quickly and efficiently using the human body’, and Free Running is defined by the activity or art of moving through your environment however you want, moving your way, following your own path."
~~ American Parkour website
Praise Be to David Belle
David Belle is largely credited as the founder of Parkour. He is also a physical educator, stuntman, actor, and all around supreme bad-ass. His military training and early athletic, climbing, and martial arts training acted as the foundations for the discipline he has developed, and has since spread his gospel of urban gymnastics to the masses like bad religion (without all the incessant worship).
Seattle Parkour
Seattle Parkour – or SPK for short – is a crew of six local guys doing what they love, which in this case is expressing themselves through the crazy, fluid, and fun to watch art of Parkour. They also seek to encourage others to learn and promote what they do in and around the Pacific Northwest. Click above for the website, and be sure to check out the promo teaser for their upcoming video below.
Seattle Parkour Hot Spot #1 -- Gasworks Park
Gas Works sits on about 20 acres where the former Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant was housed. Located on the north shore of Lake Union, this is a favorite playground for traceurs of any experience level.
Gasworks Park
2101 N Northlake Way Seattle, WA 98103
Foot Locker
400 Pine St Ste 8, Seattle, WA 98101
The place to go for your next pair of K-Swiss, standard gear for the fashionable Free Runner.
The place to go for your next pair of K-Swiss, standard gear for the fashionable Free Runner.
Seattle Parkour Hot Spot #2 -- Freeway Park
Freeway Park extends from Downtown Seattle all the way to First Hill, bridging over I-5 along the way. An unusual mixture of sharp-edged, brutalist architecture and greenery makes this the 5-acre urban oasis an impressive challenge when it comes to Parkour, as one missed gap can easily result in a harsh collision with a cement wall.
Madison Tower Orthotics
1101 Madison St Ste 550, Seattle, WA 98104
You may think that orthotics are just for old people, but think again. Elite athletes have been using them for decades to enhance performance and prevent injury. It only stands to reason that if you love doing something, you’ll want to be able to do it for as long as possible.
You may think that orthotics are just for old people, but think again. Elite athletes have been using them for decades to enhance performance and prevent injury. It only stands to reason that if you love doing something, you’ll want to be able to do it for as long as possible.
Freeway Park
600 Seneca St Seattle, WA 98101
Bike Works
3709 S Ferdinand St, Seattle, WA 98118
A bike place? Well, many who practice Parkour prefer to do so while wearing elbow pads and constraint bands across their knees to keep the kneecap in place while jumping, bouncing, and tumbling everywhere.
A bike place? Well, many who practice Parkour prefer to do so while wearing elbow pads and constraint bands across their knees to keep the kneecap in place while jumping, bouncing, and tumbling everywhere.
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195
Top 3 Seattle Parkour Haunts
Parkour Lingo 101
Traceurs – Name given to practitioners of the sport/art of Parkour and Free Running. Females traceurs are actually referred to as traceuses.
Monkey Vault – A method for passing over an object where both hands are placed on the object and it is approached straight on. It then appears as though your feet pass between your hands over the object, although they do not, they pass “between” where your hands would have been if you left them on the object, however, you remove your hands as your body is passing over the object.
Rolling – This is done after a landing to minimize impact on the joints and to redirect momentum. Rolls can also be used for other purposes, for instance in diving through a railing where it is no possible to land back on your feet, or to get across an area such as a high table where rolling is a suitable choice
AZO's point of view (real life Mirror's Edge)
AZO, Seattle resident and all-around prodigy of things oddly cool, recently made it to the front page of Digg with this video, where he mimics the first-person perspective of the popular Parkour-based game Mirror’s Edge. Watch AZO jump, flip, and balance his way around Seattle, and check out the other two videos of his amazing talents below.
Parkour FAIL
His moves aren’t actually that bad, but I can’t say the same for his skills when it comes to estimating the weight something is able to bear.
Swedish Medical Center
1221 Madison St, Seattle, WA 98104
You know, just in case your Parkour session ends up like the kid’s above.
You know, just in case your Parkour session ends up like the kid’s above.
The Pacific Northwest Parkour Association (PNWPA)
“The PNWPA supports community projects that contribute to a healthier world, including cleanup and rebuilding efforts in public places, particularly those where practicing Parkour is common. They also offer guidance and support for Parkour training, and provide assistance to schools wishing to teach Parkour as part of a physical education curriculum.”
Parkour FAIL(s) -- BONUS!!
Ow ow ow ow OW. But that’s all part of the game. One of the harshest falls on here, at about :16 or so, is none other than the father of Parkour himself, David Belle.
NW Crossfit
466 NE 70th St Seattle, WA 98115
Crossfit is a nation-wide network of total body fitness gyms. Their goal is delivering a system of fitness that is, by design, broad, general, and inclusive. Their motto is “our specialty is not specializing.” Go here for the official PNWPA beginner Parkour classes, held at the follow times:
Adults:
Tuesday: 7:30PM-9:00PM
Thursday: 7:30PM-9:00PM
Saturday: 1:00PM-2:30PM
Kids:
Wednesday: 4:15PM-5:15PM
Friday: 4:15PM-5:15PM
Check out their website for more info.
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The “Real Life Mirror’s Edge” just gave me motion sickness. Does that mean I’m not a good candidate for Parkour? Or is that my complete lack of coordination?
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