Welcome to the parkour and freerunning community based in Kolkata for all traceurs, traceuses and enthusiasts in West Bengal. It doesn't matter if you're not in West Bengal, you can still join us for discussions, knowledge, videos, and of course all kinds of help from the community.
Facebook Page
Youtube Channel
Contact:
Diptarko Bhattacharya (Arko) - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Meet us on Saturday evenings for training sessions on parkour. They're held usually at Shyambazar or Ranikuti (near Tollygunge) and do not cost any money. Anyone can practice parkour irrespective of age or gender, as long as he/she is willing to train steadily and safely. Send a mail to the email ID mentioned above for all kinds of enquiries.
Infrequently Asked Questions:
1. Parkour?
A.
Facebook Page
Youtube Channel
Contact:
Diptarko Bhattacharya (Arko) - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Meet us on Saturday evenings for training sessions on parkour. They're held usually at Shyambazar or Ranikuti (near Tollygunge) and do not cost any money. Anyone can practice parkour irrespective of age or gender, as long as he/she is willing to train steadily and safely. Send a mail to the email ID mentioned above for all kinds of enquiries.
Infrequently Asked Questions:
1. Parkour?
A.
"Parkour is the physical discipline of training to overcome any obstacle within one's path by adapting one's movements to the environment.
Parkour requires... consistent, disciplined training with an emphasis on functional strength, physical conditioning, balance, creativity, fluidity, control, precision, spatial awareness, and looking beyond the traditional use of objects.
Parkour movements typically include... running, jumping, vaulting, climbing, balancing, and quadrupedal movement. Movements from other physical disciplines are often incorporated, but acrobatics or tricking alone do not constitute parkour.
Parkour training focuses on... safety, longevity, personal responsibility, and self-improvement. It discourages reckless behavior, showing off, and dangerous stunts.
Parkour practitioners value... community, humility, positive collaboration, sharing of knowledge, and the importance of play in human life, while demonstrating respect for all people, places, and spaces."
- According to American Parkour.
2. So what's freerunning?
A.
Parkour requires... consistent, disciplined training with an emphasis on functional strength, physical conditioning, balance, creativity, fluidity, control, precision, spatial awareness, and looking beyond the traditional use of objects.
Parkour movements typically include... running, jumping, vaulting, climbing, balancing, and quadrupedal movement. Movements from other physical disciplines are often incorporated, but acrobatics or tricking alone do not constitute parkour.
Parkour training focuses on... safety, longevity, personal responsibility, and self-improvement. It discourages reckless behavior, showing off, and dangerous stunts.
Parkour practitioners value... community, humility, positive collaboration, sharing of knowledge, and the importance of play in human life, while demonstrating respect for all people, places, and spaces."
- According to American Parkour.
2. So what's freerunning?
A.
"Free running was meant to start out an anglicized term for Parkour. It was first suggested to Sebastien Foucan during the filming of Jump London. Free Running has grown to be descriptive of a sort of "cousin" activity to Parkour - Free Running is more expressive and creative in nature, with moves such as acrobatics, flips, and spins added for flair, creativity, or just because someone wants to.
The main difference then between Parkour and Free Running is that Parkour is defined by purpose "get somewhere quickly and efficiently using the human body", and Free Running is defined by the activity or art of moving through your environment however you want, moving your way, following your own path."
- According to American Parkour.
3. I'm a girl and I want to be awesome.
A. You are not alone. Here's someone inspiring:
The main difference then between Parkour and Free Running is that Parkour is defined by purpose "get somewhere quickly and efficiently using the human body", and Free Running is defined by the activity or art of moving through your environment however you want, moving your way, following your own path."
- According to American Parkour.
3. I'm a girl and I want to be awesome.
A. You are not alone. Here's someone inspiring:
It's a stereotypical idea that women are weaker than men. They're not. Women can be equal to men. The fact that the average female is weaker than the average male is plainly because the average female does not try. If you think that being strong and independent is better than being weak and skinny, this is the place for you. If you think going out there and playing is better than sitting at home and worrying about your looks, this is definitely the place for you! The only prerequisite for awesomeness is your Spirit.
4. Is it dangerous?
A. Not unless you're training incorrectly. One of the basic principles of Parkour is safety. It is not parkour if you decide to jump off something right away. It is recklessness. In fact it is strongly advised to avoid drop jumps and to avoid heights altogether. A real traceur tries to climb it down instead of jumping down. Here's something important you should know: even if you painlessly make a big jump or pull off something that is beyond your strength level, the impact from such 'moves' will definitely affect your joints which will show in the long run. Regular impacts might lead to arthritis, weak joints or posture/biomechanical issues. The correct method to train is to condition your body first by working out, then progressing steadily with parkour - drilling the little techniques to perfection before you move on to tougher ones.
5. Is strength and flexibility conditioning necessary?
A. Absolutely. If you have stronger muscles, you absorb the impact of movement in a sweeter way. If in case you fall off, the muscles act as armor protecting your vitals and joints. Again, the healthiest way to train parkour is to strengthen the body and to progress steadily. All newcomers should read this post by Chris Rowat.
6. I'm over 60. Can I practice parkour?
A. Yes. Parkour is essentially about overcoming your personal barriers. It is for everyone. When a physically handicapped person trains to move (it might just be learning to walk again) in whatever way best suited for him/her, it is parkour. It doesn't matter how old you are, you can always start practicing and progress steadily at your own pace. The only thing stopping you will be self-doubt.
7. Why go back in the evoluition tree?
A. It's more like going forward. I envision a future where human beings are mentally and physically advanced. It would be a waste of the unending capabalities and beauty of the human body if we end up as a big brain above a blob of a body.
8. Is parkour "cool"? (Yeah, I've been asked this as well.)
A. No.
4. Is it dangerous?
A. Not unless you're training incorrectly. One of the basic principles of Parkour is safety. It is not parkour if you decide to jump off something right away. It is recklessness. In fact it is strongly advised to avoid drop jumps and to avoid heights altogether. A real traceur tries to climb it down instead of jumping down. Here's something important you should know: even if you painlessly make a big jump or pull off something that is beyond your strength level, the impact from such 'moves' will definitely affect your joints which will show in the long run. Regular impacts might lead to arthritis, weak joints or posture/biomechanical issues. The correct method to train is to condition your body first by working out, then progressing steadily with parkour - drilling the little techniques to perfection before you move on to tougher ones.
5. Is strength and flexibility conditioning necessary?
A. Absolutely. If you have stronger muscles, you absorb the impact of movement in a sweeter way. If in case you fall off, the muscles act as armor protecting your vitals and joints. Again, the healthiest way to train parkour is to strengthen the body and to progress steadily. All newcomers should read this post by Chris Rowat.
6. I'm over 60. Can I practice parkour?
A. Yes. Parkour is essentially about overcoming your personal barriers. It is for everyone. When a physically handicapped person trains to move (it might just be learning to walk again) in whatever way best suited for him/her, it is parkour. It doesn't matter how old you are, you can always start practicing and progress steadily at your own pace. The only thing stopping you will be self-doubt.
7. Why go back in the evoluition tree?
A. It's more like going forward. I envision a future where human beings are mentally and physically advanced. It would be a waste of the unending capabalities and beauty of the human body if we end up as a big brain above a blob of a body.
8. Is parkour "cool"? (Yeah, I've been asked this as well.)
A. No.