LE PARKOUR: RECLAIMING URBAN LANDSCAPE

by Tibor Szabó

University of Potsdam (Germany)

OVERVIEW

Introduction

Why Parkour?

Urban reclamation

Human reclamation

How Parkour?

Conclusions for P.E. teachers

INTRODUCTION

• The most direct path!

• As rapidly as that route can be traversed safely!

A B

FROM GEORGE HÉBERT (1875*-1957)

TO DAVID BELLE (1973*)

Hébert published his book about the “natural method”

1912

Belle started to promote “Parkour” by filming his

capabilities

1997

WHY PARKOUR?

Intention of practicing Parkour.

TO BE USEFUL, TO BE HELPFUL

Utility Altruism

URBAN RECLAMATION

• Monotony of the urban lifestyle

• We move like others around us

BREAK THE RULES OF STAIRS AND FENCES

HUMAN RECLAMATION

• Find the movement

• Touch the world and interact with it

• Feel the concrete on you fingertips

FEEL ALIVE AGAIN

We were not meant to be sedentary

HOW PARKOUR?

What are the natural movements of the human body?

THINK BACK AND USE YOUR KNOWLEDGE

CONCLUSIONS FOR P.E. TEACHERS

No equipment required

Parkour can´t be a competitive sport

It brings people together

Use your knowledge!

Thank you for your attention

LITERATURE

• Schmidt-Sinns, J; Scholl, S., Pach, A. (2010) Le Parkour und Freerunning: Das Basisbuch für Schule und Verein. Aachen: Meyer & Meyer.

• Wolschendorf, F. (2010). Besser als der Ruf: Parkour im Schulsport. In: Sportpraxis (9,10/ 2010). Wiebelsheim: Limpert.

• Rom, K.; Schichor, M. (2010) Das Phänomen „Le Parkour“ . In: Bewegungserziehung (4/2010). Purkersdorf: Hollinek.

• "Two Theories on Parkour Philosophy". Parkour North America. September 7, 2007. http://parkournorthamerica.com/plugins/content/content.php?content.17. Retrieved 2008-04-16.

PICTURES

NYC: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/NYC-Skyline-3.jpgDavid Belle: ttp://pics.livejournal.com/czeri/pic/0002xp0qjumping on rock: http://imagecache6.allposters.com/LRG/26/2675/9R2UD00Z.jpgMilitary parcours:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/Training_at_the_Royal_Military_College_of_Canada.jpgobstacle course: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/US_Navy_020423-N-6237W-001_SWAT_team_training.jpgOld schoolclass: http://www.postmoor.de/img/schulklasse.jpg