Q: What exactly IS parkour?
A: Parkour is derived from the French verb "parcourir," which roughly translates as "to travel across or pass through." Parkour is a form of discipline, equally physical and mental, that teaches one to challenge the environment and overcome obstacles. There is a great deal of problem-solving involved and a student learns not only through physical training, but by using a working understanding of physics and geometry to conquer obstacles with fluidity and creativity.
Q: Why choose parkour over MARTIAL ARTS?
A: Martial arts instruction has a history of teaching kids self-confidence, self-control, and discipline - all great qualities to develop. But this also comes with aggression, even under the ideal instructor. Although there's nothing wrong with learning to defend yourself, the benefits of self-confidence, control, and discipline can also be gained through parkour training. Additionally, students are taught to use their minds in an analytical way and become more aware of how to safety move through the environment.
Q: Why choose parkour over GYMNASTICS?
A: At first glance, there are some similarities between gymnastics and parkour. But taking a closer look, you discover that they are dramatically different. Gymnastics has a strong focus on competition and programs are notorious for leaving students behind that are not dedicated to compete or talented enough to win competitions. Parkour teaches movement that is not restricted to a handful of set obstacles, but teaches creativity and versatility when set against a limitless number of obstacles. Students are also encouraged to be themselves and not be judged and scored based on how well they conform. Free expression is not only nurtured, but also helps students to realize they are capable of countless achievements that have nothing to do with the size and shape of their classmates.
Q: Why choose parkour over TEAM SPORTS?
A: Team sports are great for teaching kids dedication and camaraderie. Learning to be part of a group, to rely on someone else and to be reliable for someone else is an important part of growing up. The downside is that a lot of the personal and social development of a child is treated as a lesser priority to the main goal of victory. Parkour study provides an opportunity for individual achievement, set in a group environment. That means each student's successes and setbacks are their own, but they are also able to share those moments with their peers who are not directly affected by a win or a loss. That eliminates disappointment between classmates and leaves room for more empathy and support.
Q: Why choose parkour over NINJA GYMS?
A: The term "ninja" has been coined thanks to the televised obstacle course "American Ninja Warrior" and its popularity has seen a number of new athletes look to study parkour and rock climbing, as nearly all successful OCRs (obstacle course racers) study one or both of those disciplines. The downside of exclusive "ninja" facilities is that the focus becomes competition, and a lot of young students are putting their bodies into very hazardous situations by coaches who are simply trying to get these kids to reach a finish line, even if their bodies are not yet developed enough to handle the strain or the physical impact. Parkour students learn to control their bodies completely so that they can face any sort of environmental challenge with confidence and safety. To train exclusively to conquer one specific obstacle can be taxing and dangerous, and also inefficient, as any new obstacle would mean a whole new lesson. "Ninja" focuses on conquering an obstacle while parkour focuses on mastering oneself.
Q: What are your adult classes like? What's considered to be "too old" for parkour?
A: The most common thing we hear from potential adult students is "I'm too old for this" or "If this kind of program was around 10...20...30...40 years ago, I would have loved it." Thanks to the public perception that parkour is a daredevil sport meant for extreme athletes, most adults assume that they are incapable of this kind of training. Nothing could be further from the truth. Parkour education is a form of natural creative movement. It's about learning to understand your body (no matter your age or physical limitations) and finding ways to move safely and dynamically through an environment. Until our final moments, we are all movers by nature. Parkour simply teaches different ways to move and the learning happens incredibly fast.
Q: I've heard enough! How do I get started!
A: It's simple! Follow this link to our booking site and get registered for your intro lesson and 3-week trial!
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