Not entirely illiterate
13th April 2008, 12:49
Now, I don't know if this forum is the right for a discussion of this kind, so my apologies beforehand if it seems I've misplaced it.
I'm sure there are a lot of people here practicing martial arts. Some of you may even have had the need to actively use your fighting skills in a violent incident. Thus, you know exactly what I'm speaking of. Now, I feel there is no need for me to encourage the practice of martial arts; the benefits ought to be obvious.
However, most instances of such conflict are better to avoid by all means possible than to fight out. While there are a plethora of well-known styles to fight out there, how many are there to avoid fighting? Enter Parkour; the art of urban getaway.
I've been practicing Parkour for about three years now. Mostly, it has been a source of exercise for physical strength and flexibility as well as a way to raise situational awareness; urban terrain is no longer just catwalks, ramps and staircases, they become potential getaway areas. You can use them in ways that would not even be accessible to "ordinary" people. Not even the police will easily grasp a person capable of leaping between rooftops and disappearing amidst the crowds. Bring a backpack with a second set of clothes with you as you move, they will have a hard time finding you even if you're spotted.
Anyone else here practicing Parkour or its sister art, Free running? If not, and you're interested, there are loads of videos on Youtube with people. I tell you, it is actually a lot easier than it looks, once you've got the hang of it and gone past those tedious tumbling-exercises you begin with.
I'm sure there are a lot of people here practicing martial arts. Some of you may even have had the need to actively use your fighting skills in a violent incident. Thus, you know exactly what I'm speaking of. Now, I feel there is no need for me to encourage the practice of martial arts; the benefits ought to be obvious.
However, most instances of such conflict are better to avoid by all means possible than to fight out. While there are a plethora of well-known styles to fight out there, how many are there to avoid fighting? Enter Parkour; the art of urban getaway.
I've been practicing Parkour for about three years now. Mostly, it has been a source of exercise for physical strength and flexibility as well as a way to raise situational awareness; urban terrain is no longer just catwalks, ramps and staircases, they become potential getaway areas. You can use them in ways that would not even be accessible to "ordinary" people. Not even the police will easily grasp a person capable of leaping between rooftops and disappearing amidst the crowds. Bring a backpack with a second set of clothes with you as you move, they will have a hard time finding you even if you're spotted.
Anyone else here practicing Parkour or its sister art, Free running? If not, and you're interested, there are loads of videos on Youtube with people. I tell you, it is actually a lot easier than it looks, once you've got the hang of it and gone past those tedious tumbling-exercises you begin with.