Words Of Parkour - Body, Mind and Spirit.

Words of Parkour
Body, mind and Spirit

In my training career with parkour it's certain that through the continued repetition of movement, my body
has developed a variety of skills and abilities as well as the strength and control to perform them.

The exposure to the different terrains and obstacles have given me a sense of balance and coordination which allows me to be aware of my movement as I traverse through the environment. The constant repetition of this physical exercises and techniques has not only helped me to gain the physical strength but has also allowed me to get in tune with the way my body feels as it moves about any terrain.

These physical benefits in the form of skill are not all that can be achieved with the proper practice of parkour. As your body adapts and becomes more in tune with the environment, one develops a sense of touch. A sense of feeling the ground with our hands and feet as we step, stride, roll, climb across the land. The way we fuse and melt with the solid ground allowing us to be light on our feet, stealthy, and not only for the sake of being quiet, but to keep our body from taking the impact caused by the landings and drops we put them through. Preservation of the body, in training and everyday life.

The proper practice of parkour, combined with a healthy lifestyle and other activities and passions which stimulate us, and makes us feel alive, I believe leads one to a life of longevity.With the development of a strong body, comes the developing of a strong mind. For it has to catch up, keep up with the physical challenges as we become strong and push our limits.

We get on ground level, we perform a 8ft broad jump 100 times, perfectly. No problem. We come up 10ft off the ground and the same jump is now not only challenging our body, but our mind, as we become fearful of what could happen, of the new challenge in front of us. "The unknown"

Some tend to freeze in the presence of fear. Seeing it as an enemy.

From a parkour practitioner's perspective; Through the repetition of techniques, successes and failures, victories and falls, all these experiences have allowed for us to know our limits. What we can do and what we are not yet ready for. How much we can push ourselves and when to back away. All of this process of exposing ourselves to new obstacles everyday in a way has also helped us in getting to know ourselves. Problem solving, decision making, creativity and quick thinking all happening in one instant.

We get up 10ft off the ground to do that 8ft broad jump and in an instant our focus sharpens. Deep breaths to relax the mind, to quiet it down as we trust ourselves and all of the practice behind this moment. A kind of tunnel vision happens where everything gets quiet.

With fear by our side rather than in front of us we leap as the rest of the world slows down.

We become calmer on the presence of fear. We tend to react quickly to an unexpected turn or fall. Our mind capable of recognizing danger yet maintaining confidence and "control". Fear becomes your best ally, it's there to keep you focused and aware of the moment. The exact moment in which you live while nothing else exists but you and that ledge in front of you.

We land, we breath out and with joy we experience a sense of appreciation and life. Love.

Parkour is as mental as it is physical.

Further through the development of a strong body and strong mind, comes a strong spirit.
It's almost inevitable.
Only YOU can prevent it.

Yamakasi.. which translates to...

"Strong body, strong mind, strong spirit, strong man"

I believe that as the mindset and concept behind parkour becomes more clear to us, we tend to shift perspective in the way we approach life. It is possible that through the practice of parkour, l'art du displacement or other physical arts we become more self aware individuals who flows through life making of it the best we can. Facing the obstacles and the unknown. Gripping strongly to opportunities and letting go when necessary. Taking every experience as a chance for improvement. For development of self, body mind and spirit. Through challenges and obstacles, victories and falls. We learn to brush our shoulders off and get up to reflect and prepare do it again. Acceptance of what is in front of us or ready to make the changes needed. Appreciative of every moment for what it is. There is no past, there is only present, and the future is for us to create.

Flow through life open to limitless possibilities. Live without fight, Be without resistance.

Ozzi Quintero
Hawaii Parkour