A Parkour Summer
It's exciting to reflect on where we are going as both an organization and a community. Already many use the gym space as a safe place to explore their movement, but also to relax before or afterward. We've had training gatherings, tests of skill, celebrations, and meals together. Every day that people show up to train, personal victories are had, and laughter ensues. We're really doing it. It's happening; a space for our unusual community to thrive. Thank you for continuing to support us, and may this summer be full of safe, happy training!
Contents:
Parkour Camps
Women's Classes
New Strength Training Programs
Gym Additions
Cleveland High School Parkour Club
Training Outdoors
 Parkour Camps
What could be better than summer vacation? Summer vacation with parkour camps! We will be holding three different day camp options throughout July and August.
Young Beginners is a camp for kids 5-7 (younger or older with permission) that will focus on games and fun, while developing basic motor skills and coordination.
Beginners for Kids for ages 8-12 will focus primarily on basic parkour technique development and physical conditioning, while maintaining a focus on fun and games.
Outdoor Intermediates for the youth with good physical fitness and background knowledge in Parkour. Preregistration in these classes is by permission only, and classes will be held outdoors at various parks.
Register Now Women's Classes
Did you know that Parkour Visions is now offering a women's class? This class offers a place of camaraderie and comfortable progression specifically for women, while still following our regular curriculum. Instructed by Brandee, and assisted by Janine, the greatness takes place every Tuesday evening from 5:30 to 7:00pm. Hesitant to jump on in? Come by anyway to watch, (and surely be convinced.) Remember, your first class is free.
Our students progress rather quickly when it comes to technique and skill through our parkour curriculum. In it, we emphasize the importance of developing physical strength so the body can keep up with the skills developed. Though proper technique is undeniably a fundamental ingredient when it comes to...well, anything, strength is the key to refine the quality of performance. With more strength, one can jump higher, move faster and with more ease, and more effectively hone control. Following this idea, we're launching an individualized fitness program geared towards students looking to polish their movement by increasing their power and agility. The new program is also aimed towards those who have an interest in parkour and want to spiff up their athleticism before attending classes, or those who are simply interested in general health and fitness and wish to train under professional instruction.
Also with this program launch, we want to give the parents of students a piece of the action by offering discounted 1-on-1 training sessions. We see them come in and out of the gym often, catching glimpses of our curriculum and watching their kids progress through training--now it's time for them to have a turn! Check out our 1-on-1 training page for more details.
Sessions are lead by certified fitness trainer and nutrition practitioner Justin Sweeney. First consultation is free.
General Reminders:
- We have Facebook and Twitter pages! All updates to the blog as well as any event posts are replicated or first posted here. It's an easy way to meet others in the community, check up on our latest doings, and RSVP for events. If you use Facebook or Twitter, be sure to check us out there!
- If social networks aren't your cup of tea, you can always check the blog for updates, changes, and blurbs.
- We are accruing masses of very nice coats and shoes. If you're missing something, it may be in the gym, just waiting those four weeks until it's donated. Please, if you're unsure where you left that fleece jacket, extra socks, or library book, check our Lost and Found!
- There's a "lounge" in the gym for a reason--to chill. We also have free WiFi for your use. Lounge + WiFi = hanging out in the parkour gym even when not in class. ;)
 Gym Additions
In spirit of the continuously growing collection of obstacles in the gym, we now have an L-shaped bar on the wall—lovingly dubbed the Annoying Bar, due it it’s relative strangeness in comparison to every railing...ever. An additional ledge has been installed next to the pull-up bar, and a rope has also been lifted. (Said rope made it’s explosive debut during the first Sasuke Competition in March, adding an element few, if any, had expected.)
 The most recent building-days have yielded bundles of newness: boxes, medicine balls, parallets, a re-faced lab wall, lego plyo boxes, flooring for the weight room, and, yes, more bars in more places. Through Stone Gardens, we were able to get a great deal on a load of new climbing holds for the wall, and the first floor railing has just been installed! Thanks to getting a workshop a few blocks away, we no longer have to deal with the construction dust for weeks post the work, or keep obstacles-to-be cluttering the back room. Stay tuned for more neat changes, and if you'reinterested in catching up on the progress, search the blog for the tag "gym evolution".
Kate Byers works in the math department at Cleveland High in the Georgetown neighborhood of south Seattle. This year she taught freshmen algebra, was in constant collaboration with other teachers, and learned to run, jump, vault, and climb with her students—had, in fact, pushed the program into existence. Knowing that any school can use more after school activities, coupled with the whispers of interest in parkour among her students, she kept close contact with Parkour Visions—negotiations that resulted in a day each week for me to come out and lead them in safe progressions for training parkour. “You really gonna do it Ms. Byers?” The students seemed astonished and pleased. And why not? We were all on the same level; the ground. It was obvious, though, that they found amusement in their teacher in sweats and sneakers, and took heart in her participation beside them. Parkour can be a transformative tool for growth, and for these students, it offered a chance unlike any other to share in something profoundly personal and equally social with a mentor, and the opportunity for Ms. Byers to work side-by-side from scratch with the student's she was so used to teaching. As a coach, student, and practitioner of parkour, I've seen no greater example of what it is to train it than on such a Friday, with certain roles set aside in favor of fun, challenge, and physical equality. With spirits high and positivity as the standard, it was a delight to work with students of Cleveland and Ms. Byers, and I can only hope other teachers may take the lead and join us next year—or spearhead another club on their own. Perhaps they, too, can start a reason for students to gather and support each other, discover something about themselves, and have a reason to exclaim—as did one student his Friday— "That was so much more fun than I'd even thought it would be!"
 If you're attending regular classes, we strongly encourage you to train outside in company with whatever work you are doing in the gym. Not only is this necessary to progress in an adaptable manner, it's fun! Yes the gym is amazing, but visiting the same boxes every day will not help you progress in adaptability to all obstacles. It's as important to test yourself in wet environments as well as dry, cold and warm, and yes, even night along with day. Some common spots to train around the city are Gasworks Park, Freeway Park, and Cowen/Ravenna Park. But just look around--there's railings, walls, and playgrounds everywhere! Some things to keep in mind and practice: Be smart and thoughtful: You don't want to inhabit an elementarty school playground during the school day, federal buildings are off limits, and you shouldn't be training anywhere dangerous. These tips may seem like common sense, but it doesn't hurt to review--and may even save you from pain :). Train somewhere where you won't bother anyone, no one is likely to bother you, and you'll be able to keep yourself and your equipment from harm. Remember to test your environment and "Leave No Trace", ensuring you exit your training space leaving it as good or better than when you arrived. Always warm up: Sure, the warm ups we use in class are effective, but when out on your own, if you can try to expand your repertoire. Find that balance challenge or traversal route, something low impact yet difficult. Quadrupedal drills are prime for getting your body warm and your joints lubricated. And though you don't have to run grueling gauntlets of endless QM, you should be sweating and breathinghard before you consider yourself finished. Move with intent: When you do begin your technique training, be thoughtful. Training is not doing kong vaults all over the park to see the biggest one you can find. It's being focused on skillsets, whatever they may be. Maybe you want a lower impact creativity day, trying to move through whatever challenges as smoothly possible. Maybe it's a wallwork day, and you run yourself through wallpasses, cat-hang traversing, and top-out drills. Whatever it is, be conscious; What are you trying to accomplish? In parkour, you get to be your own coach, so be aware and methodical in your goals. Maintain your body: Training doesn't end when your movement does. Your body is contantly processing fuel and information. Drink water consistently, follow good nutrition, and do static stretching after you exercise. If you have injuries, or even just inflamed or irritated areas, pay attention to them. Don't Ibuprofen it up and ignore it, ice if you have to, massage the area if applicable, and above all, rest when necessary.
Summer's just about here--Train diligently and stay tuned for a handy-dandy, pocket-rocket Parkour Summit in August!
Brandee Laird :: News Monkey
Parkour Visions (PNWPA)
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Gasworks JamWeekly!
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Strawberry Festival We'll be doing promotion at Burien's Strawberry Festival on Sunday June 20th from Noon to 5:00 p.m. We'll be doing demonstrations, running tutorials, and having all kinds of festival fun! |
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