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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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Elizabeth Cunningham | Yoga for Life →

Published April 29, 2020  ·  All posts on Apr 29

On Castbox.fm — Elizabeth Cunningham | Yoga for Life

How can yoga principles and breathwork enhance movement practices and overall well-being?

Yoga principles extend beyond the mat, offering insights that reshape how we move and manage stress.

I want you to get that you can use your breath in any moment, in any circumstance for whatever you’re doing, to calm yourself down to expand your movements to be able to tap into your parasympathetic nervous system.

~ Elizabeth Cunningham (4:34)

The conversation highlights the role of breath and yoga principles in enhancing physical movement and mental clarity. Elizabeth shares how her personal experiences with spinal fusion surgery and back spasms led her to rediscover yoga, which ultimately relieved her pain and transformed her perspective on movement. She emphasizes how breath control can calm the nervous system, improve posture, and foster creativity, encouraging people to integrate these practices into everyday life.

Elizabeth explains how posture and breath awareness serve as foundational tools that extend beyond yoga into disciplines like parkour or even daily interactions. She underscores the importance of breath for managing stress, preventing injury, and achieving flow states. Through humor and hands-on demonstrations, she aims to make yoga accessible and practical for all movement practitioners.

Takeaways

Breath as a tool — Breath can calm the nervous system, expand movement, and bring awareness to the present moment.

Posture alignment — Proper posture starts with engaging the core, which prevents lower back pain and fatigue.

Breath and movement — Inhalations create expansion, and exhalations drive contraction, aligning with physical movement patterns.

Breaking assumptions — Approaching yoga and breathwork with a beginner’s mindset fosters creativity and discovery.

Applicability of breath — Breathwork applies not only to physical practices but also to daily conversations and stressful situations.

Resources

Elizabeth Cunningham’s website

Elizabeth Cunningham @elzcunningham

Art of Retreat — Official site for Art of Retreat, a leadership and education retreat for movement professionals.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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TK: Tantra, authenticity, and eye contact →

Published April 29, 2020  ·  All posts on Apr 29  ·  

TK: Tantra, authenticity, and eye contact

What role does tantra, authenticity, and interpersonal communication play in enhancing personal growth and human connection?

TK openly discusses her experiences with tantra, explaining what it is, what it means to her, and how it relates to her goals with Lovecraft Collective. She shares her thoughts on the power of eye contact, radical honesty, and interpersonal communication. TK delves into her love of climbing, her relationship with movement, sexuality, and how the two are connected.

There’s something kind of magical that happens when you— We’re making eye contact right now, and it’s kind of silly, but if we allowed ourselves to continue to make eye contact…

~ TK (19:39)

The conversation explores the multifaceted nature of tantra, diving into its definition and its applications in fostering human connection and holistic healing. It highlights the significance of balancing energy, exploring pleasure, and integrating movement practices such as climbing and parkour into a fuller, more embodied experience of life. TK shares personal anecdotes that underline the importance of understanding and addressing sexuality as a fundamental part of being human.

The discussion also dips into the profound power of eye contact, vulnerability, and radical honesty as transformative tools in interpersonal relationships. Insights into TK’s movement background, including climbing and parkour, provide a glimpse into how physical activities intertwine with personal development and creativity.

(more…)

Tension →

Published April 25, 2020  ·  All posts on Apr 25  ·  ,

I’ve been thinking about ways to create more opportunity for engagement among the people who are following the work of the Movers Mindset project. We’ve reached a point where we’re creating plenty of content and sharing ideas—but currently almost entirely in the broadcast direction. We’ve a considerable collection of people who are passively consuming.

Meanwhile, every time I manage to engage with someone [in this context of Movers Mindset], it’s an energizing exchange of ideas about movement, movement’s place in society, and sometimes even philosophy in general.

The whole project is intentionally aimed at people who are becoming, or already are, reflective. Such people tend to have made the growth step beyond low-value interaction and engagement and are increasingly aware of how they engage and expend their time especially online. I suppose the key is to simply engage with them one by one, until that becomes untenable for me.

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Willful ignorance →

Published April 18, 2020  ·  All posts on Apr 18  ·  ,

Now when I pass the sign, I try and think of at least one thing I do myself that willfully ignores truths I’d rather not accept. Things I know I should change about myself that I choose not to.

~ Steven Pressfield from, «https://stevenpressfield.com/2015/01/willful-ignorance/»

On one hand, I disagree: The sign’s purpose is to save ducks; it was not created “for everyone.” In that sense, the bad grammar of the sign makes it work better. But, the ducks sign is simply an example. Pressfield’s point about willful ignorance is clear and—at least for me—on target.

A question I like to reflect on periodically in my journaling is: What habit did I curb [today or yesterday]? Also, reflecting on what parts of my behavior I dislike—which was a huge part of my initial journey rediscovering movement 10 years ago—gives me specific things to work on. I think it’s a deeply useful practice to ask oneself difficult questions and to reflect on the answers, (or lack of answers as the case may be.)

Are there any questions you ask yourself on a regular basis?

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Alan Tran | Peer Pressure →

Published April 15, 2020  ·  All posts on Apr 15

On Castbox.fm — Alan Tran | Peer Pressure

How can movement practices, such as Parkour, enhance social connection and communication through exercises involving eye contact, physical touch, and shared space?

Parkour coaches can deepen their practice by incorporating elements of Tai Chi, dance, and breath-work to foster social awareness.

I wanted to bring this to Art of Retreat because social connection is so powerful, on our mental health, on relationships, on our happiness. I want to share and see how coaches can build a stronger connection for their communities, their students, their peers. And it can be as simple as eye contact or a high five or a hug.

~ Alan Tran (23:41)

The conversation explores the intersection between movement practices like Parkour and social connection. It highlights how physical exercises involving eye contact and partner interaction can reveal hidden boundaries and deepen interpersonal communication. A particular focus is placed on how different modalities, including dance, breath-work, and Tai Chi, can integrate into Parkour to enhance awareness and foster stronger community ties.

There is also discussion around cultural and gender-based differences in how people approach exercises involving physical touch and personal space. The challenges faced when presenting these concepts to different demographics, including at-risk youth, emphasize the importance of social context in movement training. These reflections demonstrate how movement can transcend physical boundaries to facilitate emotional growth and community bonding.

Takeaways

Simple eye contact in movement — Transmits significant unspoken information and alters partner dynamics.

Gender differences in space — Male participants often hold back more than female participants during physical proximity exercises.

Movement as social connection — Sessions on touch and eye contact highlight the importance of social engagement in physical training.

Cultural variations — Comfort with physical proximity varies between participants from different regions, influencing their engagement.

Touch as a practice — Teaching touch sensitivity and awareness improves not just movement, but broader interpersonal skills.

Resources

Alan Tran @alanstran

Enso Movement — Alan Tran’s Parkour gym and movement training space.

Art of Retreat — Annual Parkour leadership and education retreat.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Sound of thunder in the distance →

Published April 14, 2020  ·  All posts on Apr 14  ·  ,

I’ve written before about the sounds of summer thunderstorms. I’m completely trained to relax and drift away to these sounds.

It’s said there are three things you can stare at endlessly: running water, fire, and other people working. I believe the first two trigger something deep within our brains; I believe there’s something about the small, random movements of water and fire which hypnotize the predator part of our brains… something about those movements stimulates our visual cortex.

But sound! The auditory part of our brain is older still, and the sound of running water is—at least for me, how about you?—deeply alluring. I’ll sit under cover on my patio and freeze my ass off just to hear the rain falling and the sound of water in the gutters.

Anywho. What brings up this train of thought? …on a gloriously sunny and blue-skied day?

…”sounds of rain and thunder,” is a thing you can listen to on Pandora.

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Paula Flinn | Neurodiversity & Inclusivity →

Published April 8, 2020  ·  All posts on Apr 8

On Castbox.fm — Paula Flinn | Neurodiversity & Inclusivity

How can communities and practices like Parkour better support and include neurodivergent individuals?

Understanding neurodiversity challenges long-held assumptions about disability and the value of different cognitive experiences.

Freedom means acceptance. When I feel free, I feel accepted, I feel that I can take up space and be myself.

~ Paula Flinn (27:01)

The conversation highlights the intersection of neurodiversity and physical movement disciplines, particularly Parkour. The discussion covers the fundamental misunderstanding of neurodivergent individuals and the social barriers they face. Parkour is presented as a medium that allows neurodivergent individuals to engage in free, non-competitive movement, providing a sense of autonomy and community.

Another focal point is the shift from a medical to a social model of disability, advocating for inclusive environments that acknowledge diverse cognitive experiences. This shift reframes disability as a result of environmental and societal barriers rather than individual deficits. The conversation touches on personal stories and broader systemic issues, including ableism and the importance of connection and acceptance.

(more…)

What do I control? →

Published April 6, 2020  ·  All posts on Apr 6  ·  ,

Nothing has all of the ingredients for the emotional breakdown recipe quite like a pandemic-induced global shutdown. Lack of face-to-face socializing and general social isolation? Check. Financial uncertainty and mass unemployment? Check. Lack of regular exercise, sunlight, and access to basic necessities? Check. High uncertainty of one’s safety and security in the near future? Check. Tons of free-time to refresh news feeds five thousand times per day? Double check.

~ Mark Manson from, How to Manage Your Mental Health

slip:4umaco1.

If ever there was a yawning opportunity to backslide on all the things I’ve changed in recent years—setting aside time for reflection, reading, boundaries with television and food, habits of movement and exercise, how I use the Internet (it no longer uses me,) writing, recording podcasts, … If ever there was a yawning opportunity to backslide, this current shift is it.

I still have people I care about. I make decisions about my health. I make choices using my mind by applying reason. I balance conflicting demands for my time and resources. Certainly, most of the day-to-day details of life writ large are different. But all the things which begin this paragraph remain unchanged for me.

WAIT. Why did I start with pointing out there’s a yawning opportunity to backslide, if I’m saying nothing has changed?

…because the rest of world has relaxed what it expects from me.

Think about that. If I veered and: stayed up late binge-watching Netflix, didn’t get up at the time I normally do, didn’t shower and shave when I have video calls, didn’t act professionally, etc., people would let it slide. Right? The world is facing a global crisis, so it’s ok to relax the standards.

Instead, I’m raising my standards for myself. Now, just when everyone else would be happy to give me more slack, I’m renewing my efforts; Do I really want to do this (whatever-it-is), or is there a better way I can spend my time right now? What relationships do I nurture, and which do I sever? What have I been reading? What have I been creating; does what I create build the world up or tear it down?

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Creating space in the morning for reflection →

Published April 2, 2020  ·  All posts on Apr 2  ·  ,

“The pleasure in thinking and doing things well is…deep-wired.” I think this is absolutely true. Thoreau retreated to Walden Pond, in part, to do nothing — to just observe and live deliberately — but he also wrote a first draft of a book, A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers, while in his cabin. He then left the pond to move in with Emerson, where he wrote another book, this one about his experience at the pond, then another soon after, Civil Disobedience. Thoreau found peace observing nature; but his real pleasure was in producing enduring work.

~ Cal Newport from, On Productivity and the Deep Life

slip:4ucabo18.

I’ve long ago lost any real sense of which life changes have had the most benefit. But if I were to pick one, it would be making time to reflect. I’m often making adjustments here and there to my life, and those changes are always based on a period of reflection. What have I been doing that has been making me feel well? What have I been doing that has been making me feel unwell? …and so on.

For a while—three years to be specific—I’ve been trying to begin each day with some basic movement/stretching and then some sort of physical activity. I’m talking about first thing each morning. Get out of bed, deal with necessities (eg, coffee :) and then begin with movement and activity. 3 and 2 years ago, that activity was running. For the past year, the physical activity has been a sort-of-like-Olympic-weight-lifting program called Happy Body.

This is not working for me. Sure, when I manage to start with activity then I’m awake and moving and it’s good for my health and I get lots of what I want done each day. But it’s a struggle every. damn. day. blech! What I really want, first thing in the morning, is to NOT be physically active, but rather to be mentally active.

Starting today, I’m overhauling my first-thing-each-day routine to be:

  1. Reflect on the day’s self-assessment reminder
  2. Reflect on the day’s entry from Holiday’s, The Daily Stoic
  3. Read my previous journal entries and write in my current journal
  4. Spend some time in philosophical reading

I encourage you to build a reflection habit. It can be first-thing each morning or whenever works for you. (Many people allocate time for reflection as the last thing each day before going to sleep.) You should intentionally choose what to do as your reflection practice. I’ll go so far as to suggest you perform a few weeks experimentation with each idea you come up with, until you find a reflection practice that works for you. The more you reflect the more you’ll want to iterate and improve creating a virtuous feedback loop.

That’s the plan anyway. It’s certainly the best plan I’ve come up with for me, so far.

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