Parkour aka Freerunning
Parkour is a development of “Art du Deplacement” (art of movement) it requires using your body efficiently to move under, over, through and around all objects as fluidly as possible, with little more than a trace left behind.
Although Parkour can be used to travel quickly, it is more about freedom of movement and expression than speed itself. It is mainly practised in urban built-up areas cluttered with obstacles, or gymnasiums for a more controlled and regimented approach. However the principles of Parkour can be used in many other environments, such as woodlands and many natural areas. The beauty of the practise is it can be so inexpensive, and anywhere!
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A Little Bit of History
The modern discipline of Parkour has its roots in Parisian suburbs of the 1990s, but the roots of the original concepts that gave rise to practice of parkour, reach back as far as the early 1900s. People who have attempted to compile a history of Parkour, generally agree that parkour draws some of its influences of the earlier 'méthode naturelle' which was conceived by Georges Hébert.
Key figures in the later developments of parkour and freerunning are Raymond Belle, David Belle, Sebastien Foucan and the Yamakasi group. Much of the contemporary expression of parkour and freerunning is derived from the activities and philosophies of Sebastien Foucan and David Belle.
The discipline later became known by some as freerunning. However, the name has never been as important as the methods and spirit of practise which remain at its core today.
The phrase parkour is derived from the French "parcours‟, meaning 'route' or 'course.' A practitioner of Parkour is known as a 'Traceur'.
For a more detailed discussion of the history and development of parkour and freerunning, see the links on our links page or do a search on the word Parkour using Google.
Key figures in the later developments of parkour and freerunning are Raymond Belle, David Belle, Sebastien Foucan and the Yamakasi group. Much of the contemporary expression of parkour and freerunning is derived from the activities and philosophies of Sebastien Foucan and David Belle.
The discipline later became known by some as freerunning. However, the name has never been as important as the methods and spirit of practise which remain at its core today.
The phrase parkour is derived from the French "parcours‟, meaning 'route' or 'course.' A practitioner of Parkour is known as a 'Traceur'.
For a more detailed discussion of the history and development of parkour and freerunning, see the links on our links page or do a search on the word Parkour using Google.