Also known as free running, parkour is an extreme sport that involves running and jumping over obstacles. Parkour is often seen as a dangerous and cocky sport, but enthusiasts and parkour group members are quick to highlight the health and fitness benefits of the activity.
Parkour
Parkour started in France in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It is a combination of martial arts, running, jumping and climbing. According to the American Parkour Association, "Parkour is the physical discipline of training to overcome any obstacle within one's path by adapting one's movements to the environment." The idea is to move through an environment without getting deterred by normal obstacles, including walls, railings, windows or large drops. Parkour participants usually perform this sport in dense urban environments filled with various obstacles and possible routes. Parkour gained notoriety after one of its founding members was featured running and jumping through an urban landscape in the 2006 James Bond movie "Casino Royale."
Yamakasi
Yamakasi is the name of the original parkour group. It was started by David Belle, an ex-soldier in the French army, gymnast and exceptional athlete. Belle created the group out of interest for a new way of moving, which was later dubbed parkour. Other members of this original group included Sebastian Foucan, Yann Hnautra and Laurent Piemontesi. Each member shared a similar interest in the hybrid sport that Belle had invented.
Parkour Group
Based on the foundations of the original Yamakasi, parkour groups are formed of individuals who share an interest in the philosophy and practice of parkour. Parkour's philosophy is rooted in the idea that moving through obstacles in different ways encourages creativity, originality and uniqueness. Parkour groups are also formed to provide a safe environment for individuals to practice free running. Most groups will have a leader experienced in the various techniques of parkour and can guide the other members as they train. Groups also support each other if one person is injured or requires assistance during one of the movements. Some parkour groups create training rooms or hold community classes to instruct and attract new members to the sport.
Considerations
As of 2011, there is no official regulation or accreditation for parkour groups. As such, locating a legitimate parkour group can be difficult. Because of the sport's popularity, many groups are known to merely adopt the cultural trends of parkour. In "Deviance and Social Control in Sport," Michael Atkinson says many "are drawn to the practice because of its cultural difference and coolness, and they wear parkour clothing styles or hang around in parkour crews in order to attain subcultural capital."
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