Movers Mindset

The Movers Mindset project includes a podcast and has its own website.

Paul Graves: Capoeira, conversation in movement, and nature

July 16, 2017

Paul Graves: Capoeira, conversation in movement, and nature

What unique perspectives can be gained by exploring the interplay of movement disciplines like Capoeira, Parkour, and natural movement?

Paul brings his extensive experience to bear to provide insight into Capoeira. We go on to talk about how movement itself can be a conversation, before we dig deep into the human need to experience nature as part of our lives, as well as part of our parkour practice.

You see it coming, you get out of the way.

~ Paul Graves (10:04)

The conversation begins by exploring the transformative role of Capoeira in shaping social skills and personal identity. Paul Graves shares his journey through Capoeira, detailing its cultural richness, the dynamics of the roda, and the life-altering impact of movement-based dialogues. He explains how his Capoeira nickname, identity, and eventual departure from the practice marked a profound personal shift.

Transitioning to Parkour, the discussion highlights how Paul’s movement philosophy evolved to embrace play and adaptability. He goes into Parkour’s roots in both urban and natural environments, emphasizing the importance of connecting with nature to rediscover primal human movement. Themes of engagement, community, and the psychological impacts of training environments are central to understanding how movement disciplines shape both personal and collective growth.

Takeaways

Capoeira’s roda — A dynamic microcosm of life involving movement dialogue and mutual respect.

The impact of leaving Capoeira — Marked a significant identity shift and opened the door to new explorations.

Parkour’s appeal — A practice that emphasizes freedom, exploration, and connection with the environment.

Natural movement’s relevance — Returning to nature reveals deeper aspects of movement and human connection.

Philosophy of play — Play as a central concept that fosters learning and adaptability across disciplines.

Overcoming challenges — Movement practices mirror life’s obstacles and solutions.

Community dynamics in training — Engagement with others shapes the experience of growth and achievement.

Balancing structured and free movement — Combining discipline and creativity to maximize potential.

Resources

Parkour Visions — An organization focusing on Parkour education and community.

Evolve Move Play — A program exploring natural movement in outdoor environments.

Capoeira: Roots of the Dance-Fight-Game — A book exploring the history and philosophy of Capoeira.

Julie Angel’s Videos — Documenting movement practices like Parkour and natural movement.

Art of Retreat — A gathering for movement practitioners to explore diverse disciplines.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Max Henry: Parkour Roadmap, infrastructure, and growth

June 8, 2017

Max Henry: Parkour Roadmap, infrastructure, and growth

What is the unique role of Parkour in fostering mindfulness, community, and personal growth?

Max Henry shares his introduction and journey into parkour, and how he’s gotten to where he is. He unpacks his book, the Parkour Roadmap, explaining what it is, and why he wrote it, before delving into his work on the Water Project with Know Obstacles. Max discusses his thoughts on the infrastructure of parkour, the changes parkour could undergo as it evolves, and the responsibility he feels to preserve the heart of parkour as it grows.

The story that you tell people is the story that they’ll believe, and that’s the story that you become.

~ Max Henry (18:20)

This conversation explores Max Henry’s journey in Parkour, detailing his early fascination with movement and the philosophy underpinning the discipline. Max shares how his diverse background in sports and music influenced his approach, and he reflects on the role of mindfulness in overcoming physical and mental barriers in training. The conversation highlights his dedication to the global Parkour community, as seen through his coaching work and involvement in projects like the Copper Water initiative in Africa.

The discussion goes into the maturation of Parkour as a sport, addressing its increasing accessibility, media portrayal, and potential future directions. Key themes include preserving the spirit of Parkour while embracing its growth, the challenges faced by professional athletes in the field, and the importance of community-driven efforts to ensure its sustainable development.

Takeaways

The philosophy of Parkour — A discipline rooted in overcoming challenges through physical movement and mental focus.

Mindfulness in Parkour — Emphasizing the role of attention in training to enhance emotional regulation and reduce fear.

Cultural evolution — Parkour’s journey from niche practice to growing global recognition mirrors other sports like climbing.

Community-driven growth — The importance of grassroots efforts in maintaining the authenticity and ethos of Parkour.

Challenges for athletes — Professional Parkour athletes face financial and career sustainability hurdles despite their dedication.

Global outreach — Parkour’s role in initiatives like the Copper Water project demonstrates its potential to inspire and support communities worldwide.

Media responsibility — The narratives shared about Parkour shape public perception and the sport’s development.

Balancing risk and creativity — Athletes push boundaries to innovate while striving to maintain safety and authenticity.

Resources

The Parkour Roadmap — Max Henry’s book offering insights into the history, philosophy, and techniques of Parkour.

Alex Honnold: Alone on the Wall — A book exploring the mental and physical discipline in climbing, referenced in the conversation.

Storror — A Parkour team creating influential media content and shaping perceptions of the sport.

Know Obstacles — A Parkour clothing company involved in community projects like the Copper Water initiative.

American Rendezvous — An event fostering connections among Parkour practitioners globally.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Caitlin Pontrella: Movement Creative, play, and community

May 3, 2017

Caitlin Pontrella: Movement Creative, play, and community

What steps can be taken to normalize play and movement for adults in public spaces?

Caitlin Pontrella discusses the Movement Creative, explaining its goals and vision beyond simply teaching parkour. She unpacks her thoughts on the concept of play, how it relates to parkour, and the benefits of both play and risk. Caitlin wraps up by sharing her insights into starting new projects and how to involve your community.

Risk gives you choice, and it gives you opportunity to explore and challenge yourself.

~ Caitlin Pontrella (5:17)

The conversation centers on the concept of normalizing play for adults and making public spaces more engaging. Caitlin Pontrella discusses her work with the Movement Creative, a social enterprise aimed at fostering creativity, movement, and education. Projects like “movement snacks” provide subtle invitations for play in public spaces, aiming to remove the stigma associated with adult play while promoting accessibility and inclusivity. This shift can lead to a cultural transformation, encouraging adults to view movement as a natural, joyful part of life.

Topics also include the importance of risk in play, the concept of Parkour vision, and how it changes perceptions of urban environments. Caitlin emphasizes the value of partnerships and community engagement when implementing ideas to enhance public spaces. She shares examples of playful initiatives, such as “mice on Main,” which successfully create a sense of wonder and interaction within cities. The conversation underscores the transformative potential of play and movement to enrich personal and communal experiences.

Takeaways

Creating playful invitations in public spaces — Movement snacks subtly encourage people to interact with their environment and rediscover the joy of play.

Normalizing adult play — By modeling playful behavior in public, adults can give others implicit permission to participate.

Balancing perceptions of risk — Understanding that risk is a choice and part of growth can reshape how communities design play-friendly spaces.

Reimagining urban spaces — Concepts like Parkour vision help people view cities as opportunities for exploration and self-expression.

Engaging communities — Collaborating with local groups and governments is crucial for implementing playful, impactful public initiatives.

Play as a universal language — Movement and play transcend cultural and social barriers, fostering connection and belonging.

Small projects, big impact — Low-budget initiatives, like scavenger hunts or playful signage, can inspire significant community engagement.

Shifting cultural mindsets — Encouraging creativity and play challenges the competitive, achievement-driven focus of modern life.

Resources

The Movement Creative — A social enterprise promoting movement, education, and design through playful initiatives.

Love Where You Live by Peter Kageyama — A book about using play to activate and engage communities.

Mice on Main — A playful public art project in Greenville, South Carolina, encouraging exploration and interaction.

Walk Your City — A project using signage to promote walking and community engagement.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Thomas Droge: Body work, Writing, and Parkour Culture

April 4, 2017

Thomas Droge: Body work, writing, and parkour culture

What insights can practices like Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Parkour offer about balance, healing, and personal growth?

Thomas Droge discusses balance and falling, as well as the physical and mental implications of each. He unpacks his thoughts on recovery, body work, injury and eastern and western medicine. Thomas also shares about the book he’s writing, his goals, and finishes with his thoughts on the culture of parkour.

The amount of attention it takes to stay balanced allows you to obliterate all the other thoughts in your mind, and you get into this awake conscious state really fast. To be in any kind of balanced state—especially if it’s new—is incredibly valuable to bring you into this moment.

~ Thomas Droge (1:51)

The conversation explores the concept of balance as a dynamic and transformative process, contrasting it with the common misconception of balance as a static endpoint. Through discussions of practices like Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Parkour, it highlights how engaging fully in the present moment enables heightened awareness and flow states. The dialogue also examines how physical balance mirrors emotional and interpersonal dynamics, such as communication and relationships.

Another key theme is healing and recovery, approached through the lens of Chinese medicine and bodywork. Thomas discusses the principles of Dit Da Jow and how traditional and modern approaches address injury and recovery. The conversation also touches on the iterative nature of personal goals, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and finding meaning through both small and grand ambitions.

Takeaways

Balance — A dynamic state of transformation requiring constant adaptation and awareness.

Healing — Chinese medicine offers tools for holistic recovery, emphasizing balance over suppression.

Flow states — Engaging with novelty and repetitive motions alike can create a deeper connection to the present moment.

Goals — Goals often evolve and reshape during the journey, offering unexpected discoveries.

Collaboration — Achieving meaningful outcomes often requires combining individual strengths with others’ expertise.

Community — Parkour fosters a unique sense of togetherness and mutual support, emphasizing growth over competition.

Self-acceptance — Letting go of external validation and embracing personal truth brings freedom.

Interpersonal dynamics — Effective communication requires balance and understanding between parties.

Spiritual exploration — Practices like Tai Chi and Qi Gong link physical movements with broader life insights.

Resources

Thomas Droge

The Body Electric — A book on bioelectricity and healing, referenced in the discussion.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Jonny Hart: Art, Coaching, and Breaking Jumps

March 14, 2017

Jonny Hart: Art, coaching, and breaking jumps

What role do community, creativity, and challenge play in connecting personal passions with physical disciplines?

Jonny Hart shares the role of parkour in his life, and how that fits in with his career as an artist. He explains the parkour and anatomy art classes that he helped develop, and discusses the joy he finds in coaching and teaching. Jonny finishes by unpacking his thoughts on breaking jumps, and shares the story of the first jump he ever broke.

I specifically make sure that there’s something in there that I have no idea how to do. And none of my skill set has prepared me for it.

~ Jonny Hart (15:30)

The conversation explores Jonny Hart’s journey from fine arts to becoming an advocate and teacher of Parkour, merging art with movement. He shares his early fascination with Parkour, describing its intensity and the unique community bonds it fosters. He reflects on how his artistic background influences his Parkour practice, providing insights into anatomy and movement, and how this cross-disciplinary knowledge enriches his teaching and personal growth.

The discussion also digs into fear and challenges, likening “breaking the jump” in Parkour to creative hurdles in art. Jonny emphasizes how facing uncertainty in both fields leads to personal breakthroughs and joy. His innovative teaching approach combines drawing, anatomy, and physical movement, aiming to make art and Parkour accessible and transformative for kids and others in the community.

Takeaways

Community as a unifier — The Parkour community fosters connections among individuals from diverse backgrounds, emphasizing shared movement practices over other differences.

Art and movement integration — Teaching combines anatomy, drawing, and Parkour to help kids and participants understand their bodies and creativity.

Fear as a teacher — The concept of “breaking the jump” in Parkour parallels overcoming artistic challenges, showing the transformative power of fear.

Non-commercial passions — Jonny Hart emphasizes the value of keeping Parkour as a passion rather than a profession to maintain its joy and authenticity.

The role of teaching — Hart finds fulfillment in teaching classes he loves, recharging his energy and positively impacting his students.

Parkour as a global culture — The Parkour community’s values and connections extend across different cities and countries, fostering a universal sense of belonging.

Resources

Movement Creative — A New York-based organization teaching Parkour and movement skills.

Müv Magazine — A Parkour magazine featuring articles, stories, and illustrations by and for the community.

Parkour Visions — A Parkour nonprofit dedicated to promoting movement education and accessibility.

Tempest Freerunning — A Los Angeles-based Parkour gym that inspired Hart’s initial interest in the discipline.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Adam McClellan: Community, goal setting, and coaching

February 20, 2017

Adam McClellan: Community, goal setting, and coaching

What lessons does the practice of Parkour teach about community, personal growth, and resilience?

Adam McClellan discusses his work with Parkour Generations Americas, the parkour community in America, and his local community. He goes into his transition from martial arts to parkour, before delving into goal setting and how he motivates himself. Adam finishes by sharing people he draws inspiration from and why coaching parkour is so important to him.

A rising tide lifts all boats, and through events like Art of Retreat, we’re realizing we can all benefit by working together.

~ Adam McClellan (0:53)

The conversation explores the broad implications of Parkour on personal growth, community development, and coaching philosophies. Adam discusses Parkour Generations’ work in creating partnerships with various organizations, emphasizing trust-building and long-term collaboration. He highlights the growing unity within the American Parkour community, describing a shift toward collaboration and shared growth over individual competition.

On a personal level, McClellan shares his journey from martial arts to Parkour, driven by the transparency and humility inherent in Parkour’s practice. He reflects on the physical and mental challenges of advanced training courses and the value of failure in pushing boundaries. The conversation also delves into his coaching philosophy, advocating for spreading Parkour’s core values effectively and inclusively.

Takeaways

Strength, touch, and spirit — Core elements that define Parkour as a practice, blending physical, mental, and community aspects.

Community collaboration — The rising trend of cooperation within the American Parkour community, fostering mutual growth and shared opportunities.

Transparency in movement — The unique quality of Parkour, where skill is immediately visible and ego has no place.

The role of failure — Viewing failure as a necessary and valuable part of growth in training and life.

Parkour coaching impact — Emphasis on making Parkour accessible and inspiring to others through intentional coaching methods.

Transition from martial arts — A shift from a field driven by appearances to one defined by authentic skill and humility.

Building community spaces — The dream of creating a hub for Parkour practitioners to train, connect, and grow together.

Adapting goals — A preference for broad, flexible objectives over rigid benchmarks to encourage creativity and exploration.

Resources

Parkour Generations — The global organization involved in Parkour coaching, partnerships, and community development.

Art of Retreat — A gathering of Parkour coaches and community leaders in the U.S.

American Council on Exercise (ACE) — Partner organization that uses Parkour coaching standards.

ADEPT Level 2 Course — A rigorous certification program for advanced Parkour coaches.

Lehigh Valley Martial Arts — The martial arts school where Adam McClellan began his training journey.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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