Bryan Riggins: Awareness, process, and books →

Published May 13, 2020  ·  All posts on May 13  ·  

Bryan Riggins: Awareness, process, and books

What can be learned from training parkour and engaging with challenges of height about composure, awareness, and personal growth?

Bryan Riggins discusses his motivation, goals, and process of training descents, and his experiences and relationship with fear. He shares how it relates to his love of coaching children, and the challenges he personally works on. Bryan unpacks his reasons for training parkour before delving into the many books that have influenced him and what is on his reading list.

I think that fear has a place always. I think that if people think that it doesn’t exist or that they don’t have it, they’re lying to themselves.

~ Bryan Riggins (14:18)

The conversation discusses the lessons drawn from parkour, particularly training descents, and how these experiences shape personal awareness and composure. Central themes include managing fear, the importance of intentionality, and the application of these principles in teaching children and coaching others. Bryan reflects on how parkour serves as a means for self-discovery and resilience building.

The discussion also drops into the philosophical aspects of parkour, such as the value of breaking challenges into manageable parts and the role of journaling in tracking progress. Broader reflections on teaching emphasize equipping students with tools to manage emotional responses, fostering a growth-oriented mindset, and creating meaningful connections between physical practice and personal development.

Takeaways

Awareness in training — The importance of being present and intentional in physical practice.

Fear as a tool — Fear is acknowledged as a constant presence, offering opportunities for growth rather than avoidance.

Coaching children — Effective teaching strategies involve mindfulness and providing tools for emotional management.

Challenge breakdown — Success in parkour often depends on dividing large challenges into smaller, manageable steps.

Journaling for reflection — Documenting training helps reinforce learning and track progress.

Social media’s role — Social platforms are seen as both an opportunity for connection and a potential distraction from meaningful practice.

Mindset in challenges — A fixed mindset can limit growth, while a focus on adaptability fosters resilience.

The influence of books — Literature and philosophical insights inform both training and teaching methodologies.

Resources

The Rock Warrior’s Way —  Arno Ilgner’s book that discusses awareness, attention, and intention in training.

Parkour Visions — An organization where the speaker coaches and develops programs.

Momo — Michael Ende’s’ magical realism book mentioned as inspiring.

A Thousand Plateaus — by Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari, a philosophical work exploring complex ideas.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Presuming, of course, you actually know of something better to do →

Published May 12, 2020  ·  All posts on May 12  ·  

“If you don’t dedicate your time and attention to working with this roto-mill,” the clerk warns, “you might miss out on some benefit that we’re not thinking of now. I don’t see how you could afford such a risk in today’s age of modern yard tools.”

~ Cal Newport from, Would You Buy a Yard Tool if You Had No Idea What to Use it For? So Why Would You Sign Up For Snapchat?

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Maybe I’m going about this all wrong? We—me, Newport, everyone that I’m following and reading—keep saying things like this. (Read the article, it’s super short.) I keep talking about how engaging in certain things is a waste of one’s precious time. But it occurs to me that maybe for some people it is not a waste of time. Maybe for some people, playing Nimecraft, scrolling through Bacefook or Twettir is actually the best thing they’ve yet found to do with their time. (Data point: I do remember when that was the case for myself!)

Today, I have a list of things that I want to do—that I enjoy doing, that yield benefits, and which make me and the world a better place. I also have a list of things which I find pointless which I do not want to do. Maybe it would be far more useful for me to be asking, rhetorically, of the world at large:

What do you want to be doing with your limited time here?

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Tell me if this sounds crazy →

Published May 11, 2020  ·  All posts on May 11  ·  

All of our books have a small dot on their spine.

It’s one thing to try to keep your books physically under control. It’s another task for Sisyphus to keep track of your books in general. Here’s how I do it:

  • Create a free account over on LibraryThing. Set up three collections: One for the books currently in our possession; “Library.” A second for books we’d love to have join us; “Wishlist.” A third for books that have passed through; “Previous.”
  • Get some small stickers, (1/4″ round ChromaLabels work great,) and some sticky notes.
  • Add each book to your “Library” collection in LT and put a sticky note inside the cover marked “LT”. I also track digital books, so I tag all the books in LT with “physical” or “digital”. Then put a dot on the spine so you don’t have open the book to check if there’s a sticky note inside.
  • Why both? Some books can’t accept the spine sticker, and sometimes the dot falls off. So the sticky inside the cover is the definitive mark that a book is in LT.
  • New book arrives? Add it to LT’s “Library” collection, tagged as “physical”, insert sticky note in the front, and add a dot to spine.
  • Book leaving my possession? Remove the dot and sticky note, and shift the book to the “Previous” collection in LT.

As you come across books you might want to read, add them to your Wishlist collection in LT. My Wishlist contains hundreds of books. (That’s not a brag, that’s a confession.) LT has a notes field and I often leave a clue about where/why I’m adding the book. When I later—having forgotten all about that book—go into LT to add it, only to discover it’s already there… “Hmmm, that’s twice now I’ve ‘discovered’ this book. Maybe I should read this book sooner than ‘some day’?” Such books I then tag, “priority.” I’ve about ~20 books tagged priority at the moment.

Yet another reason this is useful is that you can search via the LT website, or the mobile app, to see if you have/have-had any book. You can even wander through a bookstore, and know that your Wishlist is always in your pocket.

Does that sound crazy? Dammnit, that does sound crazy now that I typed it all out.

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Shout out →

Published May 10, 2020  ·  All posts on May 10

It’s Mother’s Day here in the United States. So this is just a simple shout-out to my mom, Theresa, Love ‘ya!

(…and, yes, my mother follows my blog. I know, right? It’s like having my mom staring over my shoulder as I do my homework every day. ;)

Anyway. If you’re lucky enough, regardless whether you’re in the U.S. or not, you should probably call your mom more often.

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True happiness →

Published May 9, 2020  ·  All posts on May 9  ·  

True happiness is to enjoy the present without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied, for he that is wants nothing. The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.

~ Seneca

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I reiterate →

Published May 8, 2020  ·  All posts on May 8  ·  

If you’d like to retain and secure more of the information you consume instead of letting noteworthy knowledge pass right through you, here’s the best way to do so: share it with someone else. The secret of why this method works is in the number of times it forces you to reiterate, and thus solidify the memory of, a piece of information.

~ Brett McKay from, The Best Way to Retain What You Read

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McKay goes on to make several good points, but one in particular jumps out: That by sharing I am giving a gift to other people, and the anticipation of that—noting something now, that I’m planning to share with others later—is inherently pleasant and that pleasure also helps reinforce my memory.

I had never realized that aspect of blogging; this pleasurable feature, well in advance of the actual writing and sharing of things. But upon reflection this morning, I can assure you that it is a significant effect. I’m often caught yammering on about how everyone should have a place where they write in public, and henceforth I’m adding this pleasurable anticipation of sharing effect to my already long list of benefits to writing.

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Tiny incremental improvements →

Published May 7, 2020  ·  All posts on May 7

James Clear talks about the importance of becoming just one percent better every day. This may not seem like much but he writes “The difference a tiny improvement can make over time is astounding. Here’s how the math works out: if you can get 1 percent better each day for one year, you’ll end up thirty-seven times better by the time you’re done.” None of us know how long the crisis will last or how long we’re going to be stuck at home. But we are in control of what we do to improve during this time. Don’t be fooled, the version of you that comes out of quarantine can be much better than the person that went in, if you make tiny positive changes every single day.

~ Ryan Holiday from, How To Remain Calm When The Rest Of The World Is Freaking Out

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In any given moment, of any given day, of any given year, wether or not I’m freaking out, there are a few ideas which do well to help me live a good and meaningful life. This succinct collection covers those ideas better than I ever could. ‘nuf said.

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Melissa Way | Art of Space →

Published May 6, 2020  ·  All posts on May 6

On Castbox.fm — Melissa Way | Art of Space

How can art be integrated with Parkour to create spaces that engage both practitioners and the general public?

Designing Parkour spaces with artistic elements can make them appealing to the public while enhancing their functionality for practitioners.

A pattern interrupt is something that kind of catches your attention and messes with that in some way. So that could be, visually, just seeing something interesting that you want to explore further. Or this happens with movement people all the time, where we just see opportunity everywhere.

~ Melissa Way (3:34)

The conversation explores the intersection of art and Parkour, emphasizing how integrating artistic elements into Parkour spaces can make them more appealing to the general public. By designing environments that engage non-practitioners visually and physically, communities can foster interest in movement and create inclusive spaces. The idea of “pattern interrupts” is highlighted as a method for drawing attention to spaces and encouraging playful interaction with the environment.

A key point discussed is the challenge of proposing Parkour-specific spaces to communities and city officials unfamiliar with the discipline. By presenting these spaces as art installations or public works, the likelihood of approval increases due to the existing support and funding for public art projects. The conversation reflects on the importance of approaching design from a broader perspective, making spaces accessible and aesthetically engaging for all, not just Parkour practitioners.

Takeaways

Pattern Interrupt — Parkour and art can disrupt routine thought patterns, encouraging curiosity and play in public spaces.

Art-Parkour Synergy — Integrating art into Parkour spaces can attract broader community interest, bridging the gap between practitioners and the general public.

Designing for Accessibility — Public Parkour spaces should be visually and physically inviting to everyone, not just experienced movers.

City Engagement — Framing Parkour spaces as public art projects can increase support from city officials and community leaders.

Community Feedback — Involving the public in the design process can enhance the relevance and appeal of movement spaces.

Public Perception — Shifting societal norms about who moves in public and how they interact with art is crucial for expanding Parkour’s accessibility.

Collaboration — Engaging artists and designers outside the Parkour community can bring fresh perspectives and increase the success of proposed spaces.

Presentation Value — Presenting ideas at community retreats or events, even without being a definitive expert, fosters valuable dialogue and generates new ideas.

Resources

Melissa Way — Artist. Mover. Explorer.

Melissa Way @melzika_03

Parkour Generations Lehigh Valley — Melissa Way’s affiliated Parkour coaching organization in Pennsylvania.

Art of Retreat — A Parkour leadership and education retreat focused on advancing movement and community-building initiatives.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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40 knots in the freezing Atlantic →

Published May 6, 2020  ·  All posts on May 6  ·  

The point is, you’re basically this walking, lumbering habit machine. And these habits — a.k.a. your identity — have been built up over the course of decades of living and breathing, laughing and loving, succeeding and failing, and through the years, they have built up a cruising speed of 40 knots or so in the freezing Atlantic. And if you want to change them — that is, change your identity, how you perceive yourself or how you adapt to the world — well you better slam that steering wheel to the side and be ready to hit a couple icebergs, because ships this big don’t turn so well.

~ Mark Manson from, Shut Up and Be Patient

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I’ve been saying, “big ship, little rudder,” for a long time about my own attempts to change course. I’m certain I’m right about myself, but it’s reassuring to hear other people say they see this about themselves too. Wether or not Manson is your cup ‘o tea, it’s nice to hear things that confirm your assessment. “That looks like a shark, right? That’s a shark; we should get out of the water, right?”

The reason—not “one of the reasons”, but the actual, single, I’m-not-kidding, this is really why, reason—I tell the truth is that it helps other people form a good model of their world. Sound bonkers? …try this:

You know what it looks like, and/or sounds like, when a car is approaching along a roadway. You have a model of your world that, I hope, predicts that being struck by said car would be Very Bad. So you instinctively adjust your actions—get out of the way that is—when you see or hear a car approaching. That’s you using a model of reality; in this case a really good model that almost always works. Your model isn’t perfect: The driver could swerve to avoid you, and end up hitting you. In which case your model of the world has failed; you should have stood stationary, in the street to avoid being hit.

Where did you get that model?

What if I had arranged it so that every car you encountered as a child was driven by a confidant of mine. I had them all swerve to avoid you, and I taught you that cars will avoid you. You’d have a very different model! …and you’d agree I had done some SERIOUS lying to you!

Does my definition of True make sense now? I’ll say something if it will help you build a better model of the world. One can try this test on everything; it always works perfectly to tell you what is morally correct [in the context of speaking]. Anyway, I digress.

So I’ve been saying to myself, “big ship, small rudder,” and here I have an external bit of evidence from Manson that my model is correct. *shrugs* Sorry, this is what happens when you peek into my head.

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Blindingly obvious →

Published May 5, 2020  ·  All posts on May 5  ·  

A few weeks ago I had a rapid sequence of ideas related to reading books. All of these are blindingly obvious in hindsight:

One can gang books together when reading. Grab Aurelius’s Meditations, Frankl’s, Man’s Search for Meaning, Seneca’s Letters, and Epictetus’s Discourses, Handbook and Fragments—and read a little from each of them in each sitting. Or grab the Constitution of the United States, The Federalist Papers, the Anti-Federalist Papers, and Stevens’s Six Amendments. (What “gang” of books springs to mind for you?)

One is permitted to place multiple bookmarks in the same book. Yes I’ve long advocated adding sticky notes to mark various things in a book as I go along. But the idea of reading in multiple places simultaneously in the same book hadn’t really occurred to me.

One can make their own bookmarks from 1/4″ satin ribbon! I have all sorts of bookmarks; things which slide onto the edge like a paper-clip, printed cards (“Remain calm. I’m the Doctor.” for example) with the usual string or ribbon from the end, 3×5 cards stuffed in randomly, and large sticky notes. But it’s way cooler to cut a length of ribbon and drape it through the book… just like really cool and expensive books which arrive with a bookmark sewn into their binding.

If you’re cutting ribbon to make bookmarks, you can easily attach it into the book just like the fancy books’ marks. Cut it long enough to: lay one end between the last two pages of the book, tight in against the binding, with the end near the top of the page, and the ribbon laying down the page. Flip a few pages on top of it to hold it in place, and lay the ribbon back up across the entire book again tight in against the binding. Now you have a bookmark that feels like it’s sewn into the binding when you grab the lower portion sticking out of the book as your mark.

My final thought in that recent cascade was of course: Okay, wow, I really have a book problem.

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