Martial art is not merely the physical act of filling time and space with precision-like movements. Machines can do that, too. As he matures, a martial artist will realize that his kick or punch is really not so much a tool to conquer his opponent, but a tool to explode through his consciousness, his ego, and all mental obstacles. Indeed, the tools are ultimately a means for penetrating the depth of his being so that he will restore the equilibrium of his inner center of gravity. With this vital inward loosening flows his outward expression of his tools. Behind each physical movement of an accomplished martial artist is this wholeness of being, this all-inclusive attitude.
The above quote is take from Lee’s typed essay entitled “Jeet Kune Do—Toward Personal Liberation,” circa 1971. I’d also like to extend a hat-tip to the book, Bruce Lee: Artist of Life by J Little, 1999, which was recommended to me by S Foucan. And…
Apparently, there’s nothing new under the sun. This sentiment fits perfectly with my concept of what my Art du Déplacement practice is. In some respects my ten-year-ago self is an unrecognizably different person. I’m only able to remember and reconcile who that person was thanks to my journals. There are many threads to the story of that decade. But if I had to point to one thread, I’d point to my practice, and I wouldn’t disagree that “vital inward loosening” is a fitting description.
Martial art is not merely the physical act of filling time and space with precision-like movements. Machines can do that, too. As he matures, a martial artist will realize that his kick or punch is really not so much a tool to conquer his opponent, but a tool to explode through his consciousness, his ego, and all mental obstacles. Indeed, the tools are ultimately a means for penetrating the depth of his being so that he will restore the equilibrium of his inner center of gravity. With this vital inward loosening flows his outward expression of his tools. Behind each physical movement of an accomplished martial artist is this wholeness of being, this all-inclusive attitude.
What factors contribute to the longevity and success of community-driven parkour programs?
Rosy Noguchi discusses her involvement in PK Move, coaching, and why she is passionate about what they are doing. She shares her thoughts on the DC Women’s community, and why it’s been successfully running for 6+ years. Rosy reflects on the benefits of traveling for parkour, and closes out with her experiences with gender and intergenerational training in parkour.
I just thought it was cool, man. You’re only as old as you act and nobody was acting that old.
~ Rosy Noguchi (22:30)
The conversation explores the journey of Rosy Noguchi, a coach and board member at PK Move, and how her initial exposure to parkour through her mother led to a leadership role in the community. She recounts the origins of PK Move, a nonprofit aimed at making parkour accessible to diverse groups, and the progression from casual participant to co-founder. Rosy highlights the importance of inclusivity and the intergenerational nature of parkour, drawing connections between her experience training with both teenagers and older adults.
Rosy also discusses her involvement in the DC Women’s community and the structured nature of the monthly jams that have contributed to their sustained success. She emphasizes the role of leadership, mentorship, and collaboration in maintaining engagement and fostering growth. Additionally, Rosy reflects on the PK Silver program, which tailors parkour training for older adults, and shares personal insights on how her mother’s perspective on aging influences her coaching philosophy.
Takeaways
PK Move’s origin — How the organization evolved from an idea into a nonprofit driven by community needs.
Intergenerational training — The benefits of mixing age groups in parkour, fostering inclusive learning environments.
Women’s jam structure — How structured parkour classes during women’s jams enhance retention and encourage participation.
Mentorship and leadership — The influence of dedicated leaders and volunteers in sustaining long-term community programs.
Inclusivity in parkour — The importance of creating spaces that cater to newcomers and returning practitioners alike.
PK Silver — Tailoring parkour for older adults, emphasizing adaptability and safety.
Barriers to participation — How cost, time, and novelty affect attendance at women’s parkour events.
Support from larger organizations — The role of APK in providing space and legitimacy to community-led initiatives.
Travel and parkour — How traveling to jams strengthens community bonds and encourages personal growth.
Aging and representation — Addressing stereotypes about aging and promoting activity through inclusive parkour programs.
Resources
PK Move — The nonprofit organization co-founded by Rosy Noguchi to make parkour accessible to all.
APK (American Parkour) — A parkour organization that supports the DC Women’s community by providing gym space and infrastructure.
Urban Evolution — The parkour gym where Rosy began her training and encountered intergenerational parkour classes.
What makes the DC metro Parkour community unique, and how does it integrate diverse philosophies and populations to sustain and grow the practice of Parkour?
Victor Crittenden digs into the DC Metro Parkour community, explaining what it is, who is involved, and why it is unique. He discusses the various definitions, ethos, and approaches to parkour, and how each shows an important piece of the parkour puzzle. Vic shares his thoughts around the governance of parkour, and finishes with the importance of collecting and analyzing data and statistics about parkour to help promote its future and growth.
It’s important to distinguish between public and private spaces for the future of Parkour.
~ Victor Crittenden (41:04)
The conversation explores the structure and ethos of the DC Metro Parkour community, highlighting its diversity and the collaborative effort to unify various Parkour groups across Maryland, Virginia, and DC. Key components include established gyms like Urban Evolution and American Parkour, university groups at George Mason and College Park, and nonprofit organizations such as PK Move, which focuses on adaptive Parkour for underserved populations. Victor outlines the geographic and organizational complexities, emphasizing the role of jams and meetups in sustaining the community.
The discussion shifts to examining different Parkour philosophies in the area. Some gyms emphasize structured training and family engagement, while others focus on purist, outdoor approaches aligned with altruism and self-reclamation. The value of public engagement and forming connections with city officials emerges as a theme for promoting Parkour. Broader initiatives, such as the formation of USPK (United States Parkour Association) and youth leagues, aim to create a sustainable framework for Parkour development at a national level.
Takeaways
Bridging communities — The DC metro Parkour community thrives by unifying various city and university groups, preventing fragmentation.
Adaptive Parkour — PK Move pioneers adaptive Parkour, ensuring accessibility for elderly populations, cancer survivors, and individuals with disabilities.
Diversity in practice — Different Parkour groups in the region emphasize contrasting approaches, from structured gym environments to purist outdoor practices.
Public engagement — Building relationships with city officials and participating in community projects fosters acceptance and growth of Parkour communities.
Sustaining growth — Regular jams and meetups play a crucial role in maintaining the Parkour community by keeping people engaged and connected.
Governance and unity — National efforts like USP K aim to consolidate Parkour communities under a collective association to represent the U.S. globally.
Youth development — Projects like the Youth Parkour League (YPL) work to introduce structured competition circuits for younger populations.
Data and future growth — Initiatives to collect and analyze data on gyms, demographics, and growth rates aim to inform and attract investors.
Resources
PK Move — Nonprofit organization promoting adaptive Parkour for special populations, including seniors and cancer survivors.
American Parkour (APK) — A leading Parkour gym and community in DC promoting education and outreach.
Urban Evolution — Parkour gym offering structured programs and classes in Northern Virginia.
The parents’ duty to their children is not to cram as many social advantages as possible into their first eighteen years. The parents’ duty is to make sure that when it comes time for the child to pull himself up by his bootstraps, he actually has the bootstraps to pull up.
What experiences and practices shape the transition from structured movement disciplines to embodied, intuitive forms of movement and healing?
Weena Pauly-Tarr shares her history of dance, her brief encounter with parkour, and how those experiences have led to where she is now. She unpacks her work with somatic therapy, and the profound changes motherhood has brought to her life and practice. Weena reflects on her current interests in embodiment and impulse, and discusses her search for what is next.
The only thing I’ve ever wanted in my life—clearly and said out loud—was to be a mom. not to be a dancer, or not to move to New York… none of that was the thing. It was to be a mom. […] And so when I became pregnant, it was like the biggest gift I’ve ever been given. It was like getting the one thing you’ve always wanted, your whole life. It’s terrifying. Because what if it gets taken away, all that starts to come up. So I think what happened is, I had to grapple with receiving the thing I’ve always wanted.
~ Weena Pauly-Tarr (30:31)
The conversation covers how personal experiences with dance, Parkour, and somatic therapy intersect in a lifelong exploration of movement and healing. Weena’s dance background, including work with impactful movement styles like Streb’s Pop Action, shaped her understanding of strength, fear, and embodiment. Parkour later emerged as a natural extension of this interest, allowing for further exploration of dynamic movement in unconventional settings.
Motherhood significantly shifted her perspective, introducing new layers of vulnerability and embodiment. This experience influenced her shift from performance-based movement to therapeutic and somatic practices. She discusses her evolving approach to working with clients, focusing on impulse, somatic healing, and authentic movement. Her exploration of trauma through somatic experiencing highlighted the connections between past injuries and subconscious movement patterns.
Takeaways
Impact and strength — Early dance experiences emphasized the importance of using strength and physicality in movement.
Embodiment through trauma — Somatic experiences can reveal how unresolved trauma manifests in physical patterns.
Motherhood’s transformation — Motherhood shifted priorities and expanded the practice of vulnerability and authenticity.
Parkour as extension — Parkour became a natural extension of visceral, impact-based dance forms.
Healing through movement — Movement serves as a method for personal and emotional healing.
Impulse as guidance — Allowing movement to arise from impulse promotes deeper embodiment and awareness.
Reframing fear — Both Parkour and somatic practices teach reframing fear and failure as growth.
I myself have been building a list of things that I want out of my practice. I want it to open options for me, to keep myself curious, deepen my understanding and push my boundaries. I want it to allow me to live more authentic experiences and ultimately fill me with gratitude for being on this Earth.
I find myself at a strange place. “Wants” and “goals” seem to be less interesting for me. Sometimes, I can simply sit for an hour. There’s no sense of accomplishment, and no sense of, “I should be doing …”
Sometimes.
Often though, I’m still driven to line up a tremendous amounts of work, to crush myself trying, to feel I’ve failed when I only manage to accomplish a large portion of the insane goal.
For several years I’ve been writing up a key thought to focus on through the year. 2019’s is, “no.” Coming up on halfway through the year, and I’m beginning to make some progress on shifting my default behavior to listening, sharing, and waiting. Less doing. Less trying. Fewer goals. No reasons.
Our soul is sometimes a king, and sometimes a tyrant. A king, by attending to what is honorable, protects the good health of the body in its care, and gives it no base or sordid command. But an uncontrolled, desire-fueled, over-indulged soul is turned from a king into that most feared and detested thing — a tyrant.
What role does competition play in shaping the growth and community of Parkour?
Michael ‘Frosti Fresh’ Zernow discusses his career, passion for community building, and his experiences with the Red Bull Art of Motion competition. He shares his views on competition in general, his unique perspective on how parkour has grown, and the potential it has as it continues to grow. Frosti explains his involvement in the United States Parkour association, his love of collaboration, and how he’s found and followed his passions throughout his journey.
I think competitions can help create an understandable way for the outside world to connect with this amazing community that we’re building and if we can be involved in it in a way where our voices are heard and where our presence is known then we can build something really beautiful.
~ Michael Zernow (38:23)
The conversation explores the evolving relationship between Parkour and competition, focusing on how competitions, such as Red Bull’s Art of Motion, have shaped the sport. The discussion reveals how Frosti navigates being an athlete, host, and entrepreneur, balancing personal growth with the desire to grow the Parkour community. His experiences shed light on the importance of community building and outreach, as well as the role of organizations like the United States Parkour Association (USPK).
Frosti reflects on his career trajectory, highlighting how competitions and collaborations have allowed him to stay involved in the Parkour scene beyond just being a performer. The conversation touches on the philosophical divide within Parkour about whether competition enhances or detracts from the sport’s core values. Frosti’s perspective emphasizes the need for competition to inspire and provide opportunities for young athletes, while maintaining respect for those who choose to pursue non-competitive avenues.
Takeaways
Community building — Parkour thrives on creating relationships, and early jams were crucial in connecting athletes across regions.
Role of competition — Competitions, like Red Bull Art of Motion, provide growth opportunities for athletes but also provoke debate within the Parkour community.
Athlete transition — Many professional Parkour athletes transition into coaching, entrepreneurship, and event hosting as their careers evolve.
Corporate involvement — Red Bull’s approach to Parkour is viewed positively by some for its investment and willingness to collaborate with athletes, while others question corporate influence on the sport.
Collaboration — Frosti highlights the value of working with artists, musicians, and other athletes to expand the reach and creative potential of Parkour.
Inspiration — Young athletes like Nate Weston use competition as motivation to refine and expand their skillsets.
USPK — The formation of the United States Parkour Association aims to unify and provide a collective voice for Parkour practitioners in the U.S.
Growth of Tempest — Tempest Freerunning’s expansion of gyms and outreach programs reflects the increasing mainstream acceptance of Parkour.
Philosophy of movement — Frosti’s journey underscores the personal growth and self-expression that emerge through Parkour, regardless of competition.
Resources
Tempest Freerunning — Parkour and Freerunning gym co-founded by Frosti Fresh, promoting movement and training across multiple locations.
Red Bull Art of Motion — International Parkour competition showcasing top athletes and fostering community engagement.
United States Parkour Association (USPK) — Organization supporting Parkour athletes and practitioners in the U.S. through events, certifications, and community building.
Everybody is too busy with their own lives to give a damn about your book, painting, screenplay etc, especially if you haven’t sold it yet. And the ones that aren’t, you don’t want in your life anyway.
This entry is part 5 of 5 in the series Travel Gear
I sometimes call this the “M’urgency” kit as it covers both emergency and urgency situations. After the small convenience bag, this is my most-used, ready-to-go item.
First off, you have to decide wether you need a full, commercial, medical kit. If, like me, your primary concern is the common items you need, then I recommend going the route described here. There’s an unavoidable trade-off between size/weight and preparedness which you have to evaluate for yourself.
Deciding what to include was difficult. I began by searching the internet for emergency kits, but all of them had way too much stuff. On the other hand, I could create two separate kits: A micro-sized kit of a few ounces, and a larger one for more serious traveling. In the end, I settled on the kit described here as the best of both worlds. It is worth its weight in gold. Any time I have a bag, this kit is inside.
I’m a huge believer in having things pre-packed. “Containerizing” everything does use some additional space and weight, but it’s worth it if you can find the perfect size containers. For this kit, you want a sturdy container that will resist crushing, since this kit is going to take tons of abuse; It will be thrown around, leaned on, jostled and stuffed in/out of bags countless times before that one day when you need it.
My kit began with a clear-plastic “art box” — unfortunately, I’m not sure where this box came from. In my first iterations, I used this box, held closed with some rubber bands. One day I realized that this box would fit inside a zippered-bag I had laying around. The bag was an ’80s cassette-tape case, which I literally had from the ’80s for storing cassettes. I tossed the cassettes and the internal hard plastic organizer, and the art box fits easily but cannot open once zipped inside.
Eventually, the already tired case came apart and I had to buy a new one off eBay. You might have trouble finding these now because I bought most of them off eBay when I realized they were becoming rare. Since they are different colors, they are easy to find when rummaging in a backpack. (Another one of these bags will appear in a subsequent post.)
large, heavy-duty plastic bag for every time I wish I had a bag for trash, food… and emergency phone storage when getting soaked unexpectedly.
safety pin; pinning, but also can eject SIM cards
…and the plastic box; the really hard part is to pack the box so it does not rattle when you shake it :)
facial towelettes are awesome; a bathroom sink, one of these used for more than “face”, and a clean shirt.
I don’t normally use sunscreen; but the day you need it a swipe-on stick of facial sunscreen can save you and several friends
next layer down (I’m a child of Tetris :)
save some athletic tape rolls near their end and they fit. Useful for taping anything of course. Similar to wrapping some tape around your water bottle for random use
there’s a space in the tape rolls!
on the right is a tiny plastic bag with 3 nylon gloves. Yes three, because you always tear one.
this tiny little pill holder is amazing. You can open it with one hand by pinching it anywhere around it’s middle and it *clicks* open immediately.
packed in here are my preferred selection of drugs. A few standard pain killers and my preferred allergy drug.
the cotton ball ensures things don’t rattle. Here, it’s important to keep the pills from jiggling into powder as well as to eliminate noise.
top row…
a small band-aid box I found somewhere. It was a standard pack of various band-aid sizes which I’ve repurposed.
couple of small gauze pads and some alcohol wipes
bottom row…
a needle and a few yards of thread
two safety pins
disposable ear-plugs
small and large butterfly “sutures” and band-aids
Clearly, this also requires some maintenance. What I usually do is any time I use something (say, I give someone some Advil) instead of refilling the pills, I toss ALL the pills and replace the stockpile to keep them fresh. Anything you keep in here can go out of date or dry up etc. and keeping this kit “fresh” is as important as creating it in the first place.
As I said at the top, I don’t expect you to build this exact kit. :) But I do hope that it has given you a few ideas for what you might want to keep on hand.
What impact does practicing Parkour have on personal transformation and navigating the challenges of motherhood?
Teresa Vazquez-Dodero describes the changes and sacrifices of motherhood, both in body and mind. She explains her initial experiences with parkour, how the community drew her in, and her views on defying stereotypes in parkour. Teresa discusses her unique perspective of risk, her studies in multiculturalism, and finishes by sharing the benefits of parkour for all ages.
I would describe this relationship as the most liberating body— or relationship with my body and relationship with my environment that I’ve ever had in any sports situation.
~ Teresa Vazquez-Dodero (1:14)
The conversation explores the transformative effect Parkour has on physical and mental well-being, particularly through the lens of motherhood. It highlights the dramatic changes and sacrifices involved in raising twins and the physical challenges that accompany it. Through Parkour, Teresa discovers a liberating relationship with her body, which contrasts starkly with her previous struggles after pregnancy. She emphasizes how Parkour reconnects her with movement, allowing her to reclaim aspects of herself that were sidelined during motherhood.
Another focus is on breaking societal norms and defying stereotypes, particularly those surrounding age, gender, and motherhood. Teresa reflects on her initial fears of not fitting into the Parkour community but ultimately finds acceptance and encouragement. Her insights extend to broader topics such as risk perception, personal responsibility in maintaining physical health, and the importance of continuous movement. She draws parallels between movement, personal growth, and larger societal observations derived from her academic background in multiculturalism and race studies.
Takeaways
Parkour and self-liberation — Parkour provides a liberating relationship with the body and environment, fostering freedom beyond structured gym environments.
Motherhood and physical transformation — Pregnancy, particularly with twins, significantly alters the body and challenges personal movement, leading to a long recovery process.
Reclaiming identity — Parkour helps reclaim aspects of personal identity that are sidelined during the demands of motherhood.
Risk and societal perceptions — Risk in Parkour is often perceived differently from within the practice, where the emphasis is on maintaining health and preventing long-term issues.
Age and movement — Parkour offers a pathway to sustaining movement and health as individuals age, challenging norms that equate aging with physical decline.
Community and inclusivity — The Parkour community welcomes diverse participants, valuing different perspectives and experiences regardless of age or background.
Resilience through adversity — Parkour serves as a metaphor for overcoming life’s challenges and rebuilding physical and mental strength post-adversity.
Cultural insights and race studies — Teresa draws connections between movement practices and her academic studies, highlighting broader societal patterns and introspective analysis.
Resources
Parkour Generations — A resource for Parkour classes and training, referenced as the community that supported Teresa’s Parkour journey.
Smith College — Teresa’s alma mater, where she studied literature, multiculturalism, and race studies.
A political victory, a rise in rents, the recovery of your sick, or return of your absent friend, or some other quite external event, raises your spirits, and you think good days are preparing for you. Do not believe it. Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace by the triumph of principles.
As a manager, this state of flow is less common, if not non-existent. You aren’t diving deep on a task during an uninterrupted block of time, as required in flow – you’re the one helping others dive deep on a task. You’re also not receiving immediate feedback about your progress in the same way you would as an individual contributor, which is another critical element of flow. As a manager, you might not find out until months later if a decision you made or a conversation you had positively or adversely affected your team.
I think there’s a continuous pull to increase the total amount of work-output that we accomplish. Year by year, we improve our skills, learn new areas of interest, and even change careers entirely. We’re optimizing. The hard question is: Optimizing for what? Why?
I know I’ve been lured by the trap of thinking that if I just had help, then I’d be able to optimize. If I had more help, I’d be able to make more money, make more time, make more happiness for my myself, or make more happiness for the world. It’s taken me a long time to realize that, managing work and doing work are two different things.
I understand some people are drawn to—derive inherent pleasure from—managing others well and leading productive teams. But to date, I am not one of those people. This has left me in the unstable position of being pulled in opposing directions by two ideas: I would like to do fulfilling work. But to do more fulfilling work than I am currently, I need help from others. The key for me is to work with others in a spirit of collaboration; To not slip into my default mode of optimization, (specification, control, and micro-management.)
I’ve been working on writing these thoughts for over three years. Without actually checking, I think it was the Fall of 2015 when I sat in Le Jardin Joan d’Arc and read my copy of Thibault’s book in one, all-day sitting. Almost 4 years ago?
I created this particular blank note for Chapter 16 in May of 2016. “16”?
As I’m writing, it is May of 2019. Another, “May”?
About three years ago I started the project which eventually became Movers Mindset. Two years ago the project grew to include a podcast.
This morning, I feel compelled to “finally” get around to writing something for Chapter 16. I open my digital copy, flip to Chapter 16, and I read, “Chris ‘Blane’ Rowat once wrote…”
Care to guess who I am interviewing for the podcast today? Yes, really.
This is sublime.
All those threads woven together lead to this moment of realization at 8:00 in a rented London flat, 6,000km from my home.
Critically, while I’ve known for months the exact date and time of Chris’ interview, I’ve not read Chapter 16 recently enough to have remembered that it starts with his sentiments. If I had, I’d certainly have made some complicated plan to co-publish this writing and the podcast, or something—but this serendipity would not have materialized. Energized by the jolt of adrenaline when I read Chapter 16 this morning, I now feel a renewed belief in the entire Movers Mindset project! (Which is good, because most days there’s more strenuous labor than love in the labor of love.)
But, serendipity and coincidence are bullshit.
It’s just my brain, (yours may be the same,) working its tremendous powers of pattern matching. This morning my mind found a slightly-more-interesting-than-usual pattern and screamed, (ala the old adrenal gland,) that it had found something that demanded much closer attention. I’ve been spurred to carefully read Chapter 16 about five times this morning, to mull over my thoughts, to spend an hour or so writing, and to think of all the people I want to share this story with. I was inspired to create a vision of how the interview will go, new questions have popped into my head, and I’ve thought of a specific person who I now realize I’d forgot for about two years!
I wonder: What would life be like if I simply paid closer attention?
What if—instead of needing a kick in the adrenals to be this motivated—I could begin to intentionally notice things a bit smaller than this morning’s coincidence?
What role does overcoming obstacles through movement play in personal growth and community building?
Marcus Lincoln shares his experiences both as a participant and an organizer of the Texas Winter Jam, and the importance the event holds for the national and local communities. He explains his ideas on challenge mindset, and his approach to both training and coaching. Marcus discusses his plans for traveling, the impact travel has had on him, and the adventure of learning new languages.
Parkour is interesting. It’s not that you can do the cool moves or that you’ve learned them quickly. It’s more about that process of learning them.
~ Marcus Lincoln (11:27)
The conversation explores Marcus Lincoln’s experiences as a participant and organizer of the Texas Winter Jam, an annual event that unites movement communities across Texas. Marcus shares how the jam transitioned from summer to winter and how it continues to foster collaboration among practitioners across different cities. His insights reveal how organizing the event has helped him develop problem-solving skills and build deeper connections within the community.
Marcus discusses how his move from Texas to Boston introduced him to the challenges of training in a colder climate, enhancing his resilience and adaptability. He reflects on how seasons influence training and how practicing in challenging environments fosters personal growth. The conversation also touches on Marcus’s passion for travel and his plans to visit France to experience the roots of Parkour, highlighting the importance of connecting with the origins of the practice and expanding personal horizons through new cultural experiences.
Takeaways
Texas Winter Jam — An annual gathering that connects Texas movement communities and fosters collaboration and growth.
Event organizing — Building leadership, adaptability, and communication skills by managing large-scale events.
Training across climates — Developing resilience by adapting movement practice to seasonal changes.
Parkour mindset — Viewing obstacles as opportunities for problem-solving, fostering mental and physical growth.
Community connections — Strengthening friendships and professional networks through shared movement experiences.
Travel and movement — Expanding skills and perspective by exploring international movement communities.
Challenges in coaching — Recognizing and addressing individual student challenges to foster growth and confidence.
Continuous improvement — Using personal weaknesses as starting points for creative training approaches.
Movement creativity — Designing routes and challenges that blend personal strengths and areas for improvement.
Resources
Parkour Generations Americas — Organization where Marcus Lincoln coaches and trains, providing Parkour events and coaching certifications.
Texas Winter Jam — Annual community-driven movement event organized by Marcus Lincoln and others.
ADD Academy — French academy for Art du Déplacement, where Marcus plans to visit for deeper training experiences.
Rendezvous London — International Parkour event Marcus attended and coached at.
