Thursday, January 12, 2012

Basics to Know About Snow Parkour


Parkour has been around forever, though it has not always been called by that name. Any human who moves through his environment in the quickest and most efficient way possible, at one with his environment, is practicing Parkour. Developed in France by a group of friends who loved chasing each other through urban streets and who shared a philosophy of self-improvement and responsibility to each other, Parkour celebrates both movement and joy, no matter what the weather is doing.
The Basics
“Parkour is the physical discipline of training to overcome any obstacle within one's path by adapting one's movements to the environment,” according to the American Parkour website. Parkour relies on flexibility, strength and conditioning, as well as creativity and joy. Parkour techniques include running, jumping, sliding through small openings and leap-frogging over obstacles, as well as more acrobatic movements.
Snow Training
Self-improvement is one of the tenets of the Parkour philosophy, and few things are more exhilarating than pushing yourself faster and farther than you ever thought you could go, but it is important to do so safely. Stretch thoroughly before you begin snow training and make sure your muscles are completely warmed up. Perform all maneuvers slowly at first, being extra careful. Get a feel for the snow because some snow is wetter and slicker than other snowfall. Avoid hard surfaces because they might be covered with ice rather than softer snow.
Clothing and Equipment
Wear light layers to stay warm. Make sure your shoes are flexible and have non-skid soles. Stay hydrated because even though you might not feel it, you will be sweating and also exhaling water vapor as you breathe. Consider wearing light gloves to keep your hands from sticking to the ice-cold metal of fences and poles.
Warning
According to American Parkour, the philosophy of Parkour “… discourages reckless behavior, showing off, and dangerous stunts.” Snow is slippery. While it might be an exciting challenge to your athletic prowess to attempt Parkour maneuvers in the snow, if you are not mindful in how you approach this challenge, you might face the even bigger one of coming back from a broken leg.

 
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