Parkour (also called Le Parkour, PK, or free running) is a quasi-sport in which participants attempt to clear all obstacles in their path in the most fluid manner possible.
A traceur is a participant of parkour. The term free-runner has been commonly adopted by the media following the use of the term by Sebastien Foucan in Jump London. The same program led to the use of another term, free-running. The term free-running has been widely used by journalists to describe parkour-like activity, but which commonly features more emphasis on 'showy' moves than are a feature of genuine parkour.
The ultimate goal in parkour is to ‘flow’ along one’s path, for the entire journey to be as one fluid movement with no pauses or breaks. A principal rule of parkour is to never go backwards. Traceurs believe that there is a path to every obstacle which is achieved through forward movement.
The magnitude and technicality of a move in parkour are secondary to the flow and beauty of it. Explains Jerome Ben Aoues, one of the traceurs featured in the acclaimed Channel 4 documentary Jump London, “The most important thing really is the harmony between you and the obstacle; the movement has to be elegant, that's what will make it prettier. Length and distance only add to the beauty of the move, if you manage to pass over the fence elegantly that's beautiful, rather than saying ‘I jumped the lot.’ What's the point in that?”
To many, parkour is an extreme sport, to others a discipline more comparable to martial arts, to others an art form akin to dance, a way to encapsulate human movement in its most beautiful form. Parkour also inspires freedom; being free in an urban environment designed to trap, not restricted by railings, staircases, even buildings. (See Situationist). It is for many people a way of life.
The ultimate goal in parkour is to ‘flow’ along one’s path, for the entire journey to be as one fluid movement with no pauses or breaks. A principal rule of parkour is to never go backwards. Traceurs believe that there is a path to every obstacle which is achieved through forward movement.
The magnitude and technicality of a move in parkour are secondary to the flow and beauty of it. Explains Jerome Ben Aoues, one of the traceurs featured in the acclaimed Channel 4 documentary Jump London, “The most important thing really is the harmony between you and the obstacle; the movement has to be elegant, that's what will make it prettier. Length and distance only add to the beauty of the move, if you manage to pass over the fence elegantly that's beautiful, rather than saying ‘I jumped the lot.’ What's the point in that?”
To many, parkour is an extreme sport, to others a discipline more comparable to martial arts, to others an art form akin to dance, a way to encapsulate human movement in its most beautiful form. Parkour also inspires freedom; being free in an urban environment designed to trap, not restricted by railings, staircases, even buildings. (See Situationist). It is for many people a way of life.
by www.valleyfreerunners.com October 02, 2005
A sport that most consider to be fun to do or to watch, and that the three people before me are making look like a boring sport with their lengthy explanations. The only main objective is to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible in your environment, but there's a reason it's a "sport" and not an "obligation". Have fun in your sport- take a little time to perfect a jump over something if you constantly see that you're messing up on it, let yourself get sidetracked and go chase a squirrel, go out of your way to climb up on top of McDonalds and dance around on the roof to make a fool out of yourself and then run like a madman when the workers are chasing after you shouting that they've called the "poh-leece on you!!!" Have fun, do what you can, and learn what you can't. Climb up on a Church and watch cars go by, push your body to it's limits. That's the perfect world of Parkour... not just discipline, but enjoying disciplining yourself.
by VineyardPK May 14, 2006
Parkour (sometimes spelled PK, Pking), Is a sport created in France by Davide Belle and some other people which are now in Yamakasi, The legendary team of the true creators.
Alot of people seem to mix between Free Running and Parkour.The term Free Running is similar to Parkour, Developed by Sebastien Foucan, In Free Running you move your in your way. Although when people say "Hey wanna come Free Running tonight" It means Parkour, But mostly tricking. Sebastien Foucan explains that you should move your own way, And listen to none other but yourself. One doesn't have to listen to anybody.
While Parkour is getting from point A to point B as fast and efficently, As if you are being chased in a city, You have to run fast of course. And again, You are the leader. You listen to no other person but yourself.
To some Parkour is a Sport. They train it in Gyms. To some Parkour is a Discipline, Meaning that they think that when you Parkour, Your brain has to focus and get rid of it's thoughts. If you think parkour as a Discipline (I personally too) you always have to overcome the fear in your mind.
And to some, Its martial Arts.
Also remember that, When one parkours he MUST give respect to his body, to how he moves and of course to his own environment or otherwise the Urban area he is moving in.
RUN LIKE A CAT AND A MONKEY!
Parkour is a very good sport because you only need a pair of trainers and you can already master your moves!
Alot of people seem to mix between Free Running and Parkour.The term Free Running is similar to Parkour, Developed by Sebastien Foucan, In Free Running you move your in your way. Although when people say "Hey wanna come Free Running tonight" It means Parkour, But mostly tricking. Sebastien Foucan explains that you should move your own way, And listen to none other but yourself. One doesn't have to listen to anybody.
While Parkour is getting from point A to point B as fast and efficently, As if you are being chased in a city, You have to run fast of course. And again, You are the leader. You listen to no other person but yourself.
To some Parkour is a Sport. They train it in Gyms. To some Parkour is a Discipline, Meaning that they think that when you Parkour, Your brain has to focus and get rid of it's thoughts. If you think parkour as a Discipline (I personally too) you always have to overcome the fear in your mind.
And to some, Its martial Arts.
Also remember that, When one parkours he MUST give respect to his body, to how he moves and of course to his own environment or otherwise the Urban area he is moving in.
RUN LIKE A CAT AND A MONKEY!
Parkour is a very good sport because you only need a pair of trainers and you can already master your moves!
by Itay Ron March 20, 2008
parkour is so gay
by little indian man August 13, 2008
by Anubite June 08, 2007
by FrizB May 02, 2007
Parkour is my best friend! And to me the meaning of parkour is a way to jump over obstacles. And it isn't about points, or showing off but it can be about competition. I have lots of friends that do parkour and when you do parkour you should have fun. The main reason I have fun with parkour is because I'm with friends.
by spencer_the_skater21 February 27, 2015