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: Is parkour a martial art?
A: Many would say “no,” because there is no punching, kicking, or grappling involved in parkour. But in truth, the term “martial” simply means “of or pertaining to war.” In other words, a system involving techniques that could be called upon in a situation requiring self-defense. So in many ways, parkour can be considered a martial art because the system teaches elaborate types of movement, self-control, and adaptation to one’s environment, all skills which could be used to protect oneself. True, it would be a style that focuses purely on evasion and escape, but nevertheless, it meets the criteria.
Q: What makes parkour so unique?
A: My favorite thing about parkour is that it’s always evolving as you yourself progress. It helps you to open your mind up to new challenges and you find yourself seeing your environment as a series of obstacles, allowing you to creatively problem-solve ways in which you can best overcome them.
Q: Why are you called "Fusion" parkour?
A: "Fusion" is defined as "a merging of diverse, distinct, or separate elements into a unified whole." So we are called Fusion Parkour for two reasons:
1. Succeeding in parkour is very much about becoming one with the environment. The goal is to flow over, under, around and through obstacles in the most fluid and natural way possible. Even the most elaborate techniques should appear simple and casual when athlete and environment become one.
2. Parkour is a living thing. Whether you view it as a sport or an art form, students are always finding new ways to move creatively and to challenge themselves to achieve new echelons in their training. We at Fusion believe in staying open to all new ideas and encourage students to explore the possibilities the environment provides. Every new student, every new technique, every concept that sparks a new debate...they all become fused into the philosophy and execution of Fusion Parkour.
1. Succeeding in parkour is very much about becoming one with the environment. The goal is to flow over, under, around and through obstacles in the most fluid and natural way possible. Even the most elaborate techniques should appear simple and casual when athlete and environment become one.
2. Parkour is a living thing. Whether you view it as a sport or an art form, students are always finding new ways to move creatively and to challenge themselves to achieve new echelons in their training. We at Fusion believe in staying open to all new ideas and encourage students to explore the possibilities the environment provides. Every new student, every new technique, every concept that sparks a new debate...they all become fused into the philosophy and execution of Fusion Parkour.
Q: Where are you located? When will classes start?
A: We have finally taken root at 7687 Frontage Road, situated between Champions Fitness and Get Air Trampoline Park. We are now working tirelessly to get everything built as quickly as possible so that we can get back to regular classes. The wait has been long and difficult and for those of you who have stood by us, we thank you! We'll be seeing you all very soon!
Q: Can you do a backflip? Do I have to be able to do one to do parkour?
A: There is a big misconception about parkour, that we jump over rooftops and flip off the sides of buildings. Parkour is not an extreme sport that requires dangerous acrobatics and fearless adrenaline-chasing. Thanks to countless videos featured online, most people who have heard of parkour have a false image of the often foolish extremes to which some of its practitioners have taken their training. Parkour is about conquering environmental obstacles safely and efficiently. A back flip is not safe in certain environments, and it certainly is not the most efficient technique. Though many of us can and do enjoy training acrobatic techniques, it is purely extracurricular.
Q: There are so many programs available to kids in the area, why should I consider parkour for my child?
A: Lately, there are two very distinct schools of thought as to how athletic programs for children should be structured. The first is the competitive argument – team sports through which a child can learn about team spirit, success and failure, and how to overcome adversity. The second is the self-esteem argument – programs that encourage good behavior, hard work, and reward equally, regardless of outcome.
Parents objecting to the first option feel that competition leads to a winner/loser scenario and hurts the self-image of the children who do not perform as well. The alternative belief is that without this dynamic, children do not learn how to strive for success or how to cope with failure.
The wonderful thing about parkour is that it satisfies both of these concepts. The child’s competition, their opponent, is not another child – it’s the environment. The environment is always changing and contains an endless supply of challenges. So, when facing an obstacle which proves difficult to overcome, there isn’t the added stress of another child walking away the victor. All of the growth is personal and training builds teamwork as students help one another find new and creative ways to conquer the environment.
Parents objecting to the first option feel that competition leads to a winner/loser scenario and hurts the self-image of the children who do not perform as well. The alternative belief is that without this dynamic, children do not learn how to strive for success or how to cope with failure.
The wonderful thing about parkour is that it satisfies both of these concepts. The child’s competition, their opponent, is not another child – it’s the environment. The environment is always changing and contains an endless supply of challenges. So, when facing an obstacle which proves difficult to overcome, there isn’t the added stress of another child walking away the victor. All of the growth is personal and training builds teamwork as students help one another find new and creative ways to conquer the environment.
Q: Parkour sounds really fun and interesting, but I’m afraid it’s just too dangerous for me or my child. What do you say to that?
A: The concern is understandable, but this is also the most common misconception about what we do and how we teach. Parkour is no different than any other type of physical training – without proper instruction, there are dangers. When your child wants to learn to ride a bike, you start them off with training wheels and keep your steadying hands on the seat and handle bars as they attempt to pedal. You certainly don’t watch videos of bmx riders doing backflips fifty feet above the ground and use that as a reference tool.
Rather than being unsafe, parkour actually teaches safety. Students learn how to control their bodies and approach the environment with the mentality of conquering obstacles, not with a reckless disregard for danger. They learn to respect the environment and weigh the risks. There is a very structured, logical progression as they overcome challenges and learn how to move efficiently while staying in complete control.
Rather than being unsafe, parkour actually teaches safety. Students learn how to control their bodies and approach the environment with the mentality of conquering obstacles, not with a reckless disregard for danger. They learn to respect the environment and weigh the risks. There is a very structured, logical progression as they overcome challenges and learn how to move efficiently while staying in complete control.
Q: How do I know if I can do any of this? I don't want to look foolish and I'm not in the greatest shape.
A: You can do this. You've been doing it your whole life. Parkour is a study of movement. It's a way of getting from point A to point B. If you've ever crawled across the carpet, or jogged down the road, or climbed the stairs...or jumped into a pool, sat down, stood up, turned around, lifted something up, placed something down, breathed in and out...you've already done parkour. At Fusion Parkour, we don't make clones. You aren't being told to be someone you're not. You aren't expected to be the same as the person next to you. You are expected to be you. And that's a great thing. What we do at Fusion Parkour is add to what you can already do; to build upon your natural abilities and show you things you never knew about yourself. What we do, together, is help you to see new paths and open up new doors.