If you are interested in learning Parkour, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/learnparkour

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Do you want to learn how to do Parkour? Visit
http://tinyurl.com/learnparkour
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I looked up "Parkour" on dictionary.com and got results for parker, parky, perkier, and porker, but
not for parkour! Spell check suggests park our, parker, and parlor, but doesn't have parkour. I
even looked it up in Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, the eleventh and latest edition, but it
wasn't there, either. It does exist though, and its popularity is growing.
So what is it? It's a form of exercise that involves body movement and avoiding obstacles in one's
path by jumping, vaulting, or climbing over them. Its origin is French, but in recent years, has
become popular in the United States. The founder of Parkour, David Belle, describes it as "using
physical agility and quick thinking to get out of difficult situations, and to be able to go anywhere
that one desires."
The word parkour is derived from the French word parcours, which means course. Belle
apparently thought of the idea by watching French soldiers navigate their military obstacle course,
or in French, "parcours du combatant." A participant in parkour is known as a traceur.
Now you might think that people who hurdle over obstacles to get from place to place are
considered acrobatic. But, to the true traceur who practices parkour, they are adamant that
acrobatics plays no part in parkour. You see, parkour is useful; its purpose is to move from one
point to another in the most efficient way. If acrobatics were involved, it would slow down the
process, making the traceur move in less than the most efficient manner.
Important to parkour is its mental aspect. Because of its physical nature, there is risk involved and
overcoming fear of injury is part of the learning process. Early training involves concentrating on
fitness, general agility, and control of movements. Elements of parkour that put your body under
extreme stresses should not be attempted until the age of 15 or 16, as the body is still developing.
It is best to train outdoors so not to develop poor techniques. Learning with others experienced in
parkour is best, but training using videos that show people who have a variety of skills and abilities
is helpful as well.
If you're like me and think that jogging for exercise is boring, perhaps parkour is for you. It sure
sounds a lot more fun. You are certain to hear more about parkour as it has been featured in
several commercials, music videos, movies, television programs, and even in video games.
The author was in the insurance and medical industries for 20 years, the last 16 with the same
medical practice. Now she is working at home writing and building her business; and enjoying
more time with her children. She combines her love for animals, writing, and the internet by
creating a website on dog adoption - http://www.adopt-the-right-dog.com

2. Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandi_Faist
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Do you want to learn how to do Parkour? Visit
http://tinyurl.com/learnparkour
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