Parkour

I know, I know...

It's been around for quite awhile and there's been several doco's in the UK about it already, but I just saw another section of it in a program in Aus.

Parkour (sometimes abbreviated to PK) or l'art du déplacement (English: the art of movement) is an activity with the aim of moving from one point to another as efficiently and quickly as possible, using principally the abilities of the human body. It is meant to help one overcome obstacles, which can be anything in the surrounding environment—from branches and rocks to rails and concrete walls—and can be practiced in both rural and urban areas. Parkour practitioners are referred to as traceurs, or traceuses for females (the verb tracer "to trace" is French slang for moving with extreme speed).

Founded by David Belle in France, parkour focuses on practicing efficient movements to develop one's body and mind to be able to overcome obstacles in an emergency.

Parkour is a physical activity that is difficult to categorize. Often miscategorized as a sport or an extreme sport, parkour has no set of rules, team work, formal hierarchy, or competitiveness. On the contrary it is more like an art or discipline that resembles self-defense in the ancient martial arts. According to David Belle, "the physical aspect of parkour is getting over all the obstacles in your path as you would in an emergency. You want to move in such a way, with any movement, as to help you gain the most ground on someone or something, whether escaping from it or chasing toward it." Thus, when faced with a hostile confrontation with a person, one will be able to speak, fight, or flee. As martial arts are a form of training for the fight, parkour is a form of training for the flight. Because of its unique nature, it is often said that parkour is in its own category.

An important characteristic of parkour is efficiency. Practitioners move not only as fast as they can, but also in the most direct and efficient way possible; a characteristic that distinguishes it from the similar practice of free running, which places more emphasis on freedom of movement, such as acrobatics. Efficiency also involves avoiding injuries, short and long-term, part of why parkour's unofficial motto is être et durer (to be and to last). Those who are skilled at this activity normally have an extremely keen spatial awareness (a.k.a. air sense).

Traceurs claim that parkour also influences one's thought process by enhancing self-confidence and critical-thinking skills that allow one to overcome everyday physical and mental obstacles. A study by Neuropsychiatrie de l'Enfance et de l'Adolescence in France reflects that French traceurs seek for more sensation and leadership than gymnastic practitioners. They also have a more narcissistic personality, but one that does not seem to be linked to maladaptive or psychopathologic behaviors. This study runs contrary to the general attitude of the majority of large parkour communities around the world where humility and selflessness are common characteristics of practitioners. Traceurs are known for helping others and giving back to their community as evident in the worldwide "Leave No Trace" initiative.

Frankly, it looks pretty cool. It's known in some factions as 'Street Running' and really combines a mix of speed, balance, control and physical ability.

Here's a video from a UK lad called 'Blane':

Link

There's a lot more info about the activity on the Parkour website, and simply googling the word will bring up a whole host of sites, videos and pics!