MovingForward said:
Well, I run. It brings me a great sense of fulfillment to be able to exert my body for hours on end. So I want to start parkour. I identify with the philosophy behind it, and the fact that it is using the body to a greater extent, almost how it should be used. The entire idea of being able to access the inaccessible is quite romantic (as in Wordsworth romanticism), and something I long to be a part of.
I just want some thoughts on the activity. Does anyone do parkour here? Have any advice for me? Resources, suggestions, regimens etc.? There are no local parkour groups, so I will basically be running solo.
Well in having recognized the philosophy and that it exists you are already in a good position to get started, never forget that outlook.
I've been practicing for a couple of years now, also without any major group or training partners to provide support. The best thing in this case is to find somewhere within running distance that has at very least a wall and maybe a bench/picnic table. In my case it's just a park at the end of the road, see what you can find, parks or playgrounds are great, get down there whenever you find free time.
Even just a basic brick wall gives you training for balance on top, practice getting over, practice hanging and climbing along it, tic tacs and wall runs, rolls and drops off the top, and more I'm sure. You can find great resources for training online: http://www.americanparkour.com/
And even when you can't find time to get out you should keep up conditioning with simple exercises indoors (pushups, crunches, situps, planks, jackknives, etc, etc.), as has had to be my sad predicament for a while due to school work.
(This is a great documentary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Poph6Jmc688&list=PL1F66F5EAAC1A18EE)
Feel free to message me if you have more questions.
