When learning how to Parkour it is important to develop your own style as Parkour is an art of self. How you choose to overcome an obstacle in Parkour can be a reflection of how you would overcome other obstacles in your life. If your approach is done in the smoothest, most efficient manner than this is the essence of how to Parkour.
It is all about freedom and self expression. So, how to develop your own style.
1.The basics and Inspiration:
Of course when you first start learning how to parkour it is a good idea to learn the basic moves and understand how to Parkour from the perspective of the people who originally started the art e.g. David Belle, Sebastian Foucan or the Yamakasi crew. For these elements will give you a good foundation to overcome obstacles in a smooth and efficient manner. It’s natural to gain inspiration in this manner.
2.Creativity and the Self:
It’s also good to note how these moves came about in the first place. They were developed overtime and are continuously being tweaked through practice to improve efficiency. But first the people did, then they analysed after. From this you can see that you also can just do and then after begin to refine how you do.
If you see a wall. Negotiate it in a manner which creatively suits you. See how that feels. See where it wasn’t so fluid and then begin to improve upon it.
3.Mixing the Arts:
If you have seen others in Parkour you will note there is similarities between how they Parkour and perhaps a martial art or a form of dancing e.g. like the recent winner of the World Free Run 09 competition, Livewire, who mixes in his break-dancing background. I personally mixed in my Capoeira training which gave me new insights of how to use my body and flexibility to pass through or under gaps in railings.
Mixing in another art provides you with a fresh mindset for how you can move and use your body to negotiate obstacles.
