The learning mechanisms behind parkour
How the art of traversing can enhance your professional development
Say “parkour” and you may think of an extremeness, jumps from high buildings and running on rooftops. While this can be particularly true, parkour possesses many traits deeper and with this text I want to shine light on its philosophy and give you access to a unique form
of learning and developing.
Few movement disciplines or ways of expression have been as stigmatised and stereotyped as parkour.
Since its birth in the suburbs of Paris thirty years ago (or arguably earlier!) accusations spanning from criminal intentions to vandalism have been hailing from policemen, overprotective mothers and janitors,
to name a few.
Shallow and badly researched media coverage has deepened this confusion for many. A physical art form with empathy on challenging surroundings, prejudices and status quo has been terribly boxed in and subject to being something untouchable, extreme and almost savage.
This has to stop; the fundamental insights and thoughts of parkour have something for everyone and would fit in any progressive college or working culture striving towards life long learning.
I started with parkour by copying moves from videos, then continued dwelling into it´s philosophies and taking part of this global movement, refuging from the small town mentality surrounding me. I later joined a local community and developed my leadership and social skills, being part of a home and family that I still long to.
I have been practicing and teaching in many different countries since then and after seven years of training, I feel ready to share my reflections and definitions about its soul, how it has helped me to become a better professional and the key insights you can take with you.
Firstly, let me tell you what parkour is and what it means to me;
Parkour is consciousness of yourself and the environment around you — reality, with other words, and being able to transform the perception of this reality into your liking, creating a relationship to what is possible,
and what is not.
Its empowerment through honesty and the active choice of facing mental as well as physical walls.
Parkour narrows the gap between the self and the future you.
Basically, we are using our bodies to face and adapt to new situations, habitats and hinders, through dismantling the predestined purpose of objects by playing, with jumping on and challenging its usage.
“Well, this sounds almost surreal, can you hold my hand and break it down even further?”
To understand parkour you need to read about its values and core traits,
as well as implementing them with your body, so when you´re finished here,
the best is still to come.
a) Fear
Constantly expanding your comfort zone and actively challenging your fears are two foundations for learning, and in parkour we do it both physically and mentally because initial fear comes with every new move or situation.
We seek to overcome the uncomfortable in order to grow and decrease the distance between ourselves and the world around us.
A bad experience creates insecurity and doubt within and distance between you and the reality, with other words fear.
An experience when you managed what you wanted to do strengthens the confidence to meet the next uncomfortable situation, and hence expanding and solidifying the ability to transform the world around you.
What is your relationship to fear?
b) Experience based learning
It´s impossible to stop learning and improve when meeting fear. Small steps, repetition, trying over and over again — approaching challenges slowly are important for two reasons; the risk of injury and secondly
continuos reflection.
We reflect with our bodies to learn, adapt and be more conscious, reimagining feet or hand positions, timings, speed and mentalities, everything to suit the sole practitioner.
This is also common practice together with others, using the collective intelligence and experience. Using reflection to understand a common situation, move or object makes it easier to orientate and express ourselves next time, but also to discover the many possibilities in front of us.
What kind of situation do you need to learn from?
c) Self awareness & Responsibility
Meeting your limitations lets you set conscious and realistic goals and take the small steps towards a bigger comfort zone, — this is the very foundations of parkour; acceptance and patience towards yourself and the environment.
Everything is possible, but it´s how you get there that will make you develop. Discovering your needs, establishing routines to find focus, giving and learning with others are as important as the physical exercise.
Taking responsibility in parkour means to say no, trust in others, how you speak and act when not welcomed, behaviours towards others and a lot of listening inwards and outwards.
Mr. Trump would do well with some parkour!
d) Community
How people gather to practice parkour is as diverse as in the world it´s practiced in, ranging from exclusive indoor facilities with expensive fees often accompanied by a personal trainer to war torn children traversing through bombed ruins.
This may seem like a good recipe for envy and comparisons — but that´s not true; diversity and different backgrounds are very welcomed because of the increased chance to learn and forming knowledge together, also known as collective intelligence.
Hierarchies are frowned upon and beginners are seen as inspiration for even the most experienced — the essence is giving and taking and a non-violent, integrating communication. Evidently, when the focus lie on individual development solidarity grows naturally.
How can you give more individuality and solidarity in your work culture?
e) Time management
The equal importance of the beginning (warm-up) and end (stretching, meditation), giving thought and energy to both are cycles that makes creativity flourish, whether in design, architecture, workshops or parkour. Recognising the basic security in these cycles gives you more freedom to focus on the “between”. This can also be transferred to processes and working in groups, where the common foundation and understanding of time sets output in motion.
Do you see the beginning in an end?
“How can I implement parkour into my daily working life”?
Well, for instance…
x) Greet that newly employed co-worker with the mentality of
- “giving & recieving”
What can you learn from this person? How can the trust between you benefit the work you do? Take care of the new inspiration and orginality she brings.
Expand your comfort zone by inviting her for lunch!
y) Play with the thought that you could design the office and workspace.
How would you make it open for movement and our bodies?
Limitless studies show the relationship between efficiency and better work with a holistic use of the body. Start reflecting about your physical needs and be convinced that meeting them will make you more focused.
Close your eyes and think of the question; if I could do anything with my body right now, big or small, what would that be? Then open your eyes and do it!
z) Think of the last task you did and if you could decide, how could you do it better and more creative than last time? What is missing, according to you?
Write down three key words on a post it and keep for a similar task!
Three reasons for you to spread the word “parkour”
1. Contrary to the stereotypical image of vandalism — parkour is creativity, inviting and non-judgemental as well as dismantling of stereotypes and negative behaviours.
2. Parkour recognises the importance of being a beginner, starting over and adjusting to change. In a world that changes faster than ever, where your relevance is based on bringing something new and original, parkour teaches you to find a personal approach and strength in change.
3. It´s a way of living that transforms fear to self-expression, awareness and support to climb life´s many walls.
… If you made it this far and convinced that parkour can help you,
follow these steps;
- take a look at this video, and realise what you can learn and do and that
the single most important thing is already there; you.
- On Facebook, search for “parkour” and your city (or wherever you live) and most probably you will find a group organising meet-ups and a community.
- Write me and ask for support or coaching, and I can give you my library of inspiration and further depth, or I can personally train you and
we´ll develop together!
