How to Do Parkour

Parkour is a discipline which requires a strong body and an impeccable fitness training regime. I'm sure the first question in your mind at this point is how to do Parkour? Well, basic Parkour movements include jumps, flips, vaults, spins, etc., in order to evade as many physical obstructions that come in one's way. Parkour training exercises are draining and only a determined person can do them. A male Parkour artist is called a traceur and a female artist is called a traceuse.

Parkour can be traced back to more than a century ago when Georges Hebert, a naval officer in France, devised his own method of physical education combining a natural method of exercise with an influence of ancient Greek gymnasia, to efficaciously overcome obstacles. This was known as Herbertism. The techniques were then improvised by David Belle, a French gymnast and stuntman. Read on to get information on how to do Parkour.

The fundamental moves of Parkour, as mentioned earlier, include jumps, flips, vaults, spins, etc. Given below are descriptions of some parkour moves for beginners.

This move is used to perform the most basic jump in Parkour to help the traceur cross a high obstacle.

Method: To perform a turn vault, the traceur must place his hands on the obstacle and lift his body in a circular motion over the obstacle.

This move helps the traceur to jump from a height. For instance, a tall wall or a high ledge. Ensure that you can jump off from the height easily even without using a parkour move (for safety).

Method: Jump upwards and keep your body straight with your knees near your chest. When you jump, make sure that your toes remain pointed. Land on the ground on the balls of your feet with your knees bent. When you touch the ground, bend your knees up to 90 degrees and perform a diagonal roll (alternate shoulder and lower back, e.g. right shoulder to lower left back) by shifting your body weight forward.

This move is an important one as it is a requirement for more advanced parkour moves.

Method: Select a place where you have enough room to move around. Stand on a spot that is at the center of the place. Take a high jump on the spot. Flip your body and make sure you land on the same spot from where you jumped. Ensure that you don't jump backwards as this may hamper the execution of the flip.

This move requires minimal effort and most traceurs perform it just for fun.

Method: This move requires you to jump off a flight of stairs. So select the flight that you will be using. Stand at the top of the flight and walk towards the steps with force. Lift your arms up and stamp the ground with both your feet. Rise slightly, push your arms forward and tuck yourself into a ball as you flip down the stairs. Land softly on the balls of your feet and roll over to absorb the effect of the landing.

The traceur uses this move to spin and flip off a wall.

Walk towards the wall with small, measured steps. Reach out for the wall with your hands while stamping the ground with both feet. Keep your left hand pointed to the ground and your right arm on the wall. Curl yourself into a fetal position while executing a flip on your left arm that is stretched outwards. Take off your right arm from the wall and land smoothly (on the balls of the feet).

Hope this story helped you to learn how to do Parkour at home and outside. Parkour training is a tough job and requires a lot of grit. Perform these exercises and have a fit and healthy life!