Many may have realised that there is now a prominence and
popularity on parkour, like wall-climbing, leaping from one spot to another,
cat-walking on railings, vaulting over objects, jumping off from higher ground
and many more.
Practitioners of parkour are now seen frequently in YouTube videos, films, video games, in neighbourhoods and even in various parks, if you take the time to notice.
Brandon Lee, 21, a graduate from Taylor’s Business School, Mohd Abil Ash, 19, a student under the School of Engineering and Louis Dorall, 22, a School of Communication student, shares their experience and their opinion on Parkour.
Practitioners of parkour are now seen frequently in YouTube videos, films, video games, in neighbourhoods and even in various parks, if you take the time to notice.
Brandon Lee, 21, a graduate from Taylor’s Business School, Mohd Abil Ash, 19, a student under the School of Engineering and Louis Dorall, 22, a School of Communication student, shares their experience and their opinion on Parkour.
What does parkour mean to you?
Brandon:
It is like freerunning to me, to be able to choose one’s
method and style to reach their destination.
Ash:
Ash:
Parkour is a way for me to move from one point to another
efficiently, as quickly as possible.
Louis:
Louis:
To me, there are two parts to it. Firstly, it is about the
physical aspect of it. It is all about the discipline, to hone your skills, to
be physically fit, to move. The second part, which works hand-in-hand with the
first, is the mental aspect. Where you are able to think on your feet, to hone
your senses and think both critically and creatively in an instant.
What made you start parkour?
Brandon:
When I was young, I was exposed to the live-action films
like Batman and shows where Jackie Chan was casted. I noticed that, rather than
reaching their destination like how many usually do it in the norm, like
getting in and out of the a building through the window instead of using the
door.
I like how they creatively and alternatively choose to reach their destination. Especially Jackie Chan; I was inspired.
I like how they creatively and alternatively choose to reach their destination. Especially Jackie Chan; I was inspired.
Ash:
When I was seven, my brother taught me some basics in
martial arts. As I became a high-schooler, parkour was becoming a trend at that
time.
As I got to know more about parkour, I realised the basics that I have learned from my brother like sliding and rolling can now be put to the test. So, I got into it.
Louis:
As I got to know more about parkour, I realised the basics that I have learned from my brother like sliding and rolling can now be put to the test. So, I got into it.
Louis:
I loved to move; I loved to move around. When I was a kid
(still am a kid), I was one hyper kid. Bring me to a playground, off I go. Bring
me to a supermarket, off I go! I loved climbing and doing all sorts of
monkeying around.
Until I was around my teens, when I first heard of ‘parkour’. It was from the French film called Yamakasi, that taught me that there was more to just ‘moving around’. It was a science. It was a discipline. And it got me hooked. I then started finding ways to run obstacles faster, climb higher, basically think on my feet, cause that is what it is all about!
Until I was around my teens, when I first heard of ‘parkour’. It was from the French film called Yamakasi, that taught me that there was more to just ‘moving around’. It was a science. It was a discipline. And it got me hooked. I then started finding ways to run obstacles faster, climb higher, basically think on my feet, cause that is what it is all about!
How did you learn to practice this art?
Brandon:
I self-train from scratch, firstly, I start by choosing a
particular destination to reach and my starting point. After that I jog and
eventually I start to vault across, jump over and eventually increasing my
speed while overcoming as many objects or obstacles that seems sturdy and safe
to pursue.
Ash:
I looked up for resources online and then I do it on my own, I first see how others apply the techniques and then mimic them according to my abilities.
I looked up for resources online and then I do it on my own, I first see how others apply the techniques and then mimic them according to my abilities.
Louis:
For the most part, it was through self-learning. For example, I know how to jump over a fence but how do I do it faster? How do I climb faster? Is there another way? This is where the mental aspect of parkour comes into play. From there, you better yourself, where you think and you act upon it.
There are loads of tutorials on different techniques and styles from parkour practitioners all over the world. I get ideas and techniques from observing them in YouTube.
For the most part, it was through self-learning. For example, I know how to jump over a fence but how do I do it faster? How do I climb faster? Is there another way? This is where the mental aspect of parkour comes into play. From there, you better yourself, where you think and you act upon it.
There are loads of tutorials on different techniques and styles from parkour practitioners all over the world. I get ideas and techniques from observing them in YouTube.
Has parkour benefitted you in any
way?
Brandon:
Brandon:
It has benefitted me on my stamina, as I have noticed, it
has gone down. I would choose to just run down on a straight path to improve it
but when I do parkour, not only does it help with my stamina, I am also working
out my whole body at the same time.
Ash:
Ash:
Parkour has made me improve on my footing balance, which
have helped with my stances during martial arts. Other than that, I have
learned not to be too hesitant because when we become hesitant, we might end up
screwing up.
I do have the fear of heights, which I had to face when I
practiced parkour, now, it is not as bad as I first faced it.
Louis:
Yes, by practicing the art of parkour, I've had the benefits of staying very fit, to be able to run faster, jump higher and move critically when needed. It has broadened my view of looking at obstacles and has given me the mental enforcement to think bigger, think creatively and quickly, and all of this can be applied to many other things in life.
Yes, by practicing the art of parkour, I've had the benefits of staying very fit, to be able to run faster, jump higher and move critically when needed. It has broadened my view of looking at obstacles and has given me the mental enforcement to think bigger, think creatively and quickly, and all of this can be applied to many other things in life.
Have you experienced any accidents while practicing parkour?
Brandon:
When I started doing it with a friend, I noticed how hazardous parkour can be. I was in unfamiliar ground as I was training in my friend’s territory, I slipped and had a huge cut below my left knee. Luckily, he helped me to attend to my wound and we then head to his home nearby.
When I started doing it with a friend, I noticed how hazardous parkour can be. I was in unfamiliar ground as I was training in my friend’s territory, I slipped and had a huge cut below my left knee. Luckily, he helped me to attend to my wound and we then head to his home nearby.
I was lucky during the times I practiced alone, I never got
to hurt myself like spraining my foot. It was a learning experience.
Ash:
When I was at my school gym, my friend and I decided play around the trampoline, I decided it would be a good time to learn the front flip. As it was my first time, I ended up doing a double front flip and landed on my neck and my knee hit my right eye.
Another time was during a school off-day, my friend and I had the school grounds for ourselves to practice parkour. I later noticed a construction pole and decided to swing from it. I did not manage to grab it properly and ended up landing on my upper back.
After these first two accidents, I learnt to be more careful.
Louis:
Luckily, not much. There were two incidents where I have fallen without rolling (rolling is a technique where the force of the jump is displaced, so that your legs will not take all of the impact when you land) and my ankles were affected for about two weeks each. But it was an experience and it was a good lesson.
When I was at my school gym, my friend and I decided play around the trampoline, I decided it would be a good time to learn the front flip. As it was my first time, I ended up doing a double front flip and landed on my neck and my knee hit my right eye.
Another time was during a school off-day, my friend and I had the school grounds for ourselves to practice parkour. I later noticed a construction pole and decided to swing from it. I did not manage to grab it properly and ended up landing on my upper back.
After these first two accidents, I learnt to be more careful.
Louis:
Luckily, not much. There were two incidents where I have fallen without rolling (rolling is a technique where the force of the jump is displaced, so that your legs will not take all of the impact when you land) and my ankles were affected for about two weeks each. But it was an experience and it was a good lesson.
What advice would you give to newbies?
Brandon:Do not practice on unfamiliar terrain, alone.
Be aware of your health, if your body is not up to the task, like if you are tired, unwell. Do not practice parkour when your body does not feel up to it.
Do not think that, “Oh, that guy can do it, so can I.” Know
you limits, pursue accordingly to your stamina and realise what your body is
capable of achieving at the moment.
Ash:
Take things slow, do not try to copy what the professionals do, especially if you have not done it before.
Be confident with what you are doing; do not be hesitant.
Take things slow, do not try to copy what the professionals do, especially if you have not done it before.
Be confident with what you are doing; do not be hesitant.
Think before you jump, analyse the situation before you
perform any technique.
Know you own limits before you perform any tougher techniques.
Practice the basics, like learning how to fall safely.
Louis:
Firstly, shoes. You need good shoes if you want to run and jump efficiently and safely. Secondly, the mindset. It does not matter if you are heavy or thin, or not strong enough. Will itself is what drives all parkour enthusiasts. For anything else too, really. Where there is a will, there is a way, and you will most definitely find it. Positive thinking is also encouraged. Praise yourself when you have done something, no matter how simple it is. Thirdly, discipline. Keep at it. Do it. Live it. Fourthly, believe.
Know you own limits before you perform any tougher techniques.
Practice the basics, like learning how to fall safely.
Louis:
Firstly, shoes. You need good shoes if you want to run and jump efficiently and safely. Secondly, the mindset. It does not matter if you are heavy or thin, or not strong enough. Will itself is what drives all parkour enthusiasts. For anything else too, really. Where there is a will, there is a way, and you will most definitely find it. Positive thinking is also encouraged. Praise yourself when you have done something, no matter how simple it is. Thirdly, discipline. Keep at it. Do it. Live it. Fourthly, believe.
END
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