“Straight forward kindess” works in a world of endless human train wrecks.
~ Hugh MacLeod
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Straight-forward kindness →
What is a cynic? →
What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything but the value of nothing.
~ Oscar Wilde
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Vital inward loosening →
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.
~ Bruce Lee
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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.
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Inward loosening →
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.
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Rosy Noguchi: Coaching, gender, and travel →
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.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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No skin in the game →
It’s easy to spot a purist. They’re the ones without any skin in the game.
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Victor Crittenden: Community, viewpoints, and statistics →
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.
United States Parkour Association (USP K) — A collective organization aiming to unify Parkour communities across the U.S.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Long time dead →
Be happy while you’re living, for you’re a long time dead.
~ Scottish proverb
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Bootstraps →
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.
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Weena Pauly-Tarr: Therapy, motherhood, and impulse →
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.
Resources
Weena Pauly-Tarr @weenapaulytarr
Elizabeth Streb’s TED Talk — Discusses Pop Action and the concepts of impact-based movement.
Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy — A form of somatic healing that bridges bodywork and talk therapy.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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