I’ve been practicing parkour for the past week and I’m very excited. I feel a new sense of freedom because I now have a way to interact with my environment, rather than being defined by it.

Parkour is a physical discipline of moving through obstacles with efficiency. Imagine Jackie Chan running away from the bad guys. When I started telling my friends what I’ve been doing, I also found out that “hardcore parkour” was featured in The Office a few weeks ago. Parkour has received media attention from people jumping from roof to roof, but it has much more to offer to a person seeking self-actualization.

Freedom from Others

Sometimes I feel trapped by my urban surroundings. I am confined by buildings and follow predetermined paths. There are many people (civil engineers, politicians, etc) that have laid out a plan with their intention for society, which is then placed on me. Streets allow me to move, while walls either keep me in or out. I have no choice but to follow.

Parkour is exciting because it allows me to move through my environment in ways unexpected by the urban planners. I am no longer forced follow the rules because it is my only option, but it is now my choice to do so. I can now escape if I wanted to or if I needed to escape. I am now free.

Freedom from Yourself

Parkour is an interaction with the physical environment and it has physical risks to myself. I can fall and get hurt. Faced with this reality, I have already found myself filled with self-doubt and fear of injury for even simple jumps. There is a voice telling me that I cannot do it, but I try anyways. When I perform a successful jump, I gain an immediate sense of accomplishment and a tangible sense of confidence.

I’ve been going to the gym consistently for the past half a year, but sometimes people question the purpose of working out. I can work out to be healthier, to be more energetic, to look better. Now I work out because there are obstacles that I currently cannot overcome. Before, my motivations were on a gradient to become “better”, but now they are binary to go from not being able to being able. I now have a stronger purpose.

A Natural Fit

I am very excited about my journey with parkour because it combines many elements that I already love. I’ve always loved playing on bars and learning to do flips. I love having the ability to explore my world and discover new things. Finally, I love the idea of being free from the intentions of others and being able to have choice for myself.

If you want to learn more about parkour, there are some great vids and articles on Urban Freeflow