Today we taught class in civic.
Started with the normal warm up with dynamic stretches, landings and rolls.
Then we moved to the bus depot to work on balance and wall climbs. While we were there I tried a good precision and tic-tac to arm. I have to go back there and practice it more. While the group was doing wall climbs, I tried a foot trial, but I bailed it. I managed to catch myself straight away though. What happened was that instead on landing on top of the wall, my left foot hit into it, so I started falling, but I was already leaning over the wall. Straight away I caught myself with my hands without even thinking. I remember talking with Rhys about the unconscious ability that parkour experience gives you, like being able to catch yourself when you bail. This was definately evident in my bail today, which is proof for me that parkour has developed m,y subconscious.
From there we moved to the stairs for conditioning, everybodys favourite part of the class. LOL! We pushed them hard, but thats the whole point in conditioning. We also participated as well. I tried the 3 step 2 step hopping thing, as opposed to the 2 step 1 step that we normally do. it wasn't too bad on two feet, but was a lot harder on one foot, I couldn't make it all the way. For FNCs I'll make sure to do it all the way. I even got pushup hops all the way up. I had to stop 3/4 of the way up, to catch my breath, but then continued to finish the whole set. Conan was then inspired to do it himself, pausing at the same point that I did. It just comes to show that you should always set something to aim for, if you can't make it all the way, just pause to have a short rest, but always get back up to finish it, reaching your goal. At the end of it we all felt pretty tired, some of us instructors even feeling a bit sick, which is good as it shows that we pushed ourselves to our limits.
From there we went back to noise wall to warm down.
Over all the class was good. We only had 15 participants, but it was a pretty bad day for weather. Only 3 of them were new though, which is definately showing that our retention rates are picking up. There were also a fair amount of girls, they were all friends, but it was still good to see. It definately good to see that more girls are getting interested in parkour.
I have big plans for my training, the only thing is that I have to follow through with it, make time to be able to do it. I've now thought of what I have to do, I jsut have to do it. We'll see what happens.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
APA Class - Belco
Yesterday.
We had the class in belco. 25 people showed up, 15 of which had been before. This is good as it shows that our retention rates are getting better.
There were only 3 intructors though, Josh, Hef and myself. So we split the group up between the three of us.
I took a beginner group and taught them climb ups, turn vaults and balance.
For conditioning, instead of stair work we did ground work. I even got them doing leopard crawling, something different for them.
I was planning on training afterwards, but had to go home and study instead.
We had the class in belco. 25 people showed up, 15 of which had been before. This is good as it shows that our retention rates are getting better.
There were only 3 intructors though, Josh, Hef and myself. So we split the group up between the three of us.
I took a beginner group and taught them climb ups, turn vaults and balance.
For conditioning, instead of stair work we did ground work. I even got them doing leopard crawling, something different for them.
I was planning on training afterwards, but had to go home and study instead.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Recreation Summit Day 2
Yesterday
It was day 2 of the Recreation Summit.
Travis and myself woke up early to join the group for a morning walk at 0700. We busted out different bits of parkour around them as they were walking, giving them something to look at.
From there we had breakfast with the group, at the hotel.
After breakfast there was the registration, where we talked to some people, before the seminars started.
The majority of the day was spent attending seminars and talking to people about parkour during the breaks.
The most valuable part of the day was at the end, where we split up into groups to talk about the different things we had learnt. It was this part that was valuable, but the time directly after, where we talked with our own individual groups about parkour, and they all showed an genuine interest.
So, what did we get out of participating in the Rec Summit?
We have definately promoted Canberra Parkour, and the Australian Parkour Association. Hopefully new things will start coming our way, especially in regards to the community.
Only the future can tell what will happen for us. We'll just have to wait and see.
It was day 2 of the Recreation Summit.
Travis and myself woke up early to join the group for a morning walk at 0700. We busted out different bits of parkour around them as they were walking, giving them something to look at.
From there we had breakfast with the group, at the hotel.
After breakfast there was the registration, where we talked to some people, before the seminars started.
The majority of the day was spent attending seminars and talking to people about parkour during the breaks.
The most valuable part of the day was at the end, where we split up into groups to talk about the different things we had learnt. It was this part that was valuable, but the time directly after, where we talked with our own individual groups about parkour, and they all showed an genuine interest.
So, what did we get out of participating in the Rec Summit?
We have definately promoted Canberra Parkour, and the Australian Parkour Association. Hopefully new things will start coming our way, especially in regards to the community.
Only the future can tell what will happen for us. We'll just have to wait and see.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Recreation Summit Day 1
Today we had the ACT Sport and Recreation Councils Recreation Summit.
All we really did was stand by a tv playing the new Trace Elements videos, and talked to people about parkour, if they came up and asked.
We made an attempt to go and talk to some people, hand out flyers and such. There seemed to be a bit of an interest in that.
I got to talk to one of my old high school teachers, who is now high up in PE in the department of education. She said that she's is going to help with promoting parkour and the classes in school around Canberra, so we will definately be taking advantage of this opportunity.
We've also had it of interest from some people from different organisations around Australia.
On my way home I got a call from Rhys. Him and Shaun had arrived in Canberra. So I met up with them and grabbed some dinner. Just catching up and stuff, it was good. We might go out and do some training tomorrow afternoon.
For the Rec Summit tomorrow, we plan on meeting the group when they go for their morning walk. And do parkour around them during the walk. From there we'll be doing the same as we did today, but try to talk to more people.
I talked with Rob, our organiser for the Rec Summit, and he said he'd contacted the ABC people about our interview. He said that they had not yet finished editing it, but he will give me their contact details, so that I can contact them myself and see what's going on. At least I now have a contact to work with. Hopefully it will come out soon and we can all finally see the finished product.
All we really did was stand by a tv playing the new Trace Elements videos, and talked to people about parkour, if they came up and asked.
We made an attempt to go and talk to some people, hand out flyers and such. There seemed to be a bit of an interest in that.
I got to talk to one of my old high school teachers, who is now high up in PE in the department of education. She said that she's is going to help with promoting parkour and the classes in school around Canberra, so we will definately be taking advantage of this opportunity.
We've also had it of interest from some people from different organisations around Australia.
On my way home I got a call from Rhys. Him and Shaun had arrived in Canberra. So I met up with them and grabbed some dinner. Just catching up and stuff, it was good. We might go out and do some training tomorrow afternoon.
For the Rec Summit tomorrow, we plan on meeting the group when they go for their morning walk. And do parkour around them during the walk. From there we'll be doing the same as we did today, but try to talk to more people.
I talked with Rob, our organiser for the Rec Summit, and he said he'd contacted the ABC people about our interview. He said that they had not yet finished editing it, but he will give me their contact details, so that I can contact them myself and see what's going on. At least I now have a contact to work with. Hopefully it will come out soon and we can all finally see the finished product.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Canberra Tourism Commercial Pt 5
Yesterday.
We did more filming for the commercial. This time it was Josh and my intro scenes. Josh falls into an alley where im "writing" on a wall, then I chase after him. Something nice and simple.
Later on I hope to add a car scene to it, where Josh cat-passes the hood (or some kind of vault/jump) and I dash the roof (if i can). it would look pretty awesome.
After that we went back to Che office to watch what he's already got. We got to see Conan's face smash at the green screen shoot in slow motion, which looked pretty bad. We also got to see how everything is coming together. I now know that we aren't the sole focus in the commercial, there are also some dance bits as well as runner bits.
From there ruoF, Josh and I went to do some light training at ANU. We trained a bit at the Family Courts, which I now realise how much of a good spot it is. I have to go back there more often. I did a few cat pass to precisions there, and was getting the precisions really silent, which is good.
From there we just trained around ANU at different spots. My precisions are getting better. I think I've increased their distance a bit since my melbourne trip. I'm committing more to making the jump. My wall spins are also pretty nice, I've deffinately gotten more confidence with them, as well as skill. I'm thinking i should try them on a proper wall again, but this time be able to keep on doing them.
We did more filming for the commercial. This time it was Josh and my intro scenes. Josh falls into an alley where im "writing" on a wall, then I chase after him. Something nice and simple.
Later on I hope to add a car scene to it, where Josh cat-passes the hood (or some kind of vault/jump) and I dash the roof (if i can). it would look pretty awesome.
After that we went back to Che office to watch what he's already got. We got to see Conan's face smash at the green screen shoot in slow motion, which looked pretty bad. We also got to see how everything is coming together. I now know that we aren't the sole focus in the commercial, there are also some dance bits as well as runner bits.
From there ruoF, Josh and I went to do some light training at ANU. We trained a bit at the Family Courts, which I now realise how much of a good spot it is. I have to go back there more often. I did a few cat pass to precisions there, and was getting the precisions really silent, which is good.
From there we just trained around ANU at different spots. My precisions are getting better. I think I've increased their distance a bit since my melbourne trip. I'm committing more to making the jump. My wall spins are also pretty nice, I've deffinately gotten more confidence with them, as well as skill. I'm thinking i should try them on a proper wall again, but this time be able to keep on doing them.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Canberra Mothers Day FunRun
Today I went in a FunRun to support Breast Cancer research. I arrived a bit late so got straight into the run without registering. I didn't really care as we would be making a big donation at the end of the race.
It was just a 5km run around Lake Burley Griffin. I did it with Josh and we tried to do as much parkour as possible along the way. I now understand how much parkour can tire you out while you are on the run. This is something I should work on.
In the end the run was a success, we all felt prettty good afterwards for doing something for the community, as we want to show that the traceurs in canberra are trying to help out. It really worked part of the philosophy of parkour, to help others.
It was just a 5km run around Lake Burley Griffin. I did it with Josh and we tried to do as much parkour as possible along the way. I now understand how much parkour can tire you out while you are on the run. This is something I should work on.
In the end the run was a success, we all felt prettty good afterwards for doing something for the community, as we want to show that the traceurs in canberra are trying to help out. It really worked part of the philosophy of parkour, to help others.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Canberra Tourism Commercial Pt 4
Yesterday we did some more filming for the commercial. This time we were doing some green screen work. It was pretty fun and a good experience to have done.
All it involved for us was doing some jumping shots. I think it will be incorporated to look like we are jumping off a huge height or something.
Conan and Trav then did a couple of flips. When Conan landed on the green screen doing a btwist, it slipped out from him and he face planted. He cut up his lip a bit, but the bleeding didn't last long.
The session only lasted for about an hour, as we got kicked out but other people who were wanting to use the screen.
We might be doing my intro bits for the commercial on wednesday, we'll have to see how it goes.
All it involved for us was doing some jumping shots. I think it will be incorporated to look like we are jumping off a huge height or something.
Conan and Trav then did a couple of flips. When Conan landed on the green screen doing a btwist, it slipped out from him and he face planted. He cut up his lip a bit, but the bleeding didn't last long.
The session only lasted for about an hour, as we got kicked out but other people who were wanting to use the screen.
We might be doing my intro bits for the commercial on wednesday, we'll have to see how it goes.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Melbourne Trip - Summary
So now my trip is over, but I've learnt a lot of things. So I thought it would be fitting to write a summary of the trip, not about the events, but what I learnt and how i have been affected.
I went to melbourne with a few goals in mind. I was wanting to go to do some serious training that would help me in my progression. The idea was to spend as much time as possible with Chippa and the more experienced guys, training as much as possible and learning all that was there. I wasn't going to melbourne for the spots, but for the people, the thinking that is down there.
Did I achieve everything I wanted to achieve? In some ways I did and in some I didn't.
During the trip, I met a lot of new people. I've made a lot of new friends and contacts, and liek to think that I've strengthened my reputation in the melbourne scene. Getting to know the rest of the Trace Elements guys, training with the newer melbourne instructors, is something that I will cherish in a way.
The Trace Elements performance made me really appreciate parkour, in how much of an art is can be. For me, the performance was pure art, something that i could really appreciate from a traceurs perspective. Watching someone move in such a way, is amazing. And Josh said, it was a whole new type of movement.
I didn't get the oppostunity to truly train with the more experienced guys, as they were too busy with the performance. but I did learn a lot from just talking with Chippa. We talked about everything to do with parkour, the thinking, teaching, techniques. What we've learnt and encountered, and what we're striving to achieve. I've learnt that I have a long way to go in order to refine my techniques, mainly being climb ups and rolls. I've also realised that there is a long way for me to go with getting my instructor qualification, that it is something that I will have to work towards.
I also took a lot of ideas that I will aplpy here in Canberra, both with the classes and with our training. Hopefully there will be a few changes that will really test people.
For the classes, we're going to start using the wristbands method, instead of the sign in sheet. I also want to start having first-timers classes, but then let people have their first two classes free. I want to run one first for the whole class, then start from there, that way everyone in the classes will be kept up to date. The first one will mainly be a talking session. Mixed witha few things.
I also want to cut away FNC, and start having a night similar to Melbourne's Rape Night, where we just continuously work on techniques, then finish off with intense conditioning. Something that will leave us unable to walk properly, something to really work us physically and mentally. I'm also going to star running between training spots. i did it in melbourne and realise how much we should be doing it here in Canberra.
I'm also keen to make a Canberra Parkour handshake. I have an idea (that isn't like the 5.10 dance) that incorporates parts from the David Belle group handshake to the different handshakes in Melbourne and Sydney. I'll see how the rest of Canberra like it.
i even came back with a Ped Rag. Something as a souvenier from my trip to melbourne, that is unique to canberra.
Did i achieve everything i originally acheived in melbourne? No, in that I didn't get to train with the real experiencved guys as much as I was hoping too, but this is something that can be done in the future. I did achieve things that I wasn't planning on achieving, such as meeting so many new people.
I have taken a lot from my trip to melbourne, and i hjope to be able to do this same type of trip to sydney, hopefully in july.
I went to melbourne with a few goals in mind. I was wanting to go to do some serious training that would help me in my progression. The idea was to spend as much time as possible with Chippa and the more experienced guys, training as much as possible and learning all that was there. I wasn't going to melbourne for the spots, but for the people, the thinking that is down there.
Did I achieve everything I wanted to achieve? In some ways I did and in some I didn't.
During the trip, I met a lot of new people. I've made a lot of new friends and contacts, and liek to think that I've strengthened my reputation in the melbourne scene. Getting to know the rest of the Trace Elements guys, training with the newer melbourne instructors, is something that I will cherish in a way.
The Trace Elements performance made me really appreciate parkour, in how much of an art is can be. For me, the performance was pure art, something that i could really appreciate from a traceurs perspective. Watching someone move in such a way, is amazing. And Josh said, it was a whole new type of movement.
I didn't get the oppostunity to truly train with the more experienced guys, as they were too busy with the performance. but I did learn a lot from just talking with Chippa. We talked about everything to do with parkour, the thinking, teaching, techniques. What we've learnt and encountered, and what we're striving to achieve. I've learnt that I have a long way to go in order to refine my techniques, mainly being climb ups and rolls. I've also realised that there is a long way for me to go with getting my instructor qualification, that it is something that I will have to work towards.
I also took a lot of ideas that I will aplpy here in Canberra, both with the classes and with our training. Hopefully there will be a few changes that will really test people.
For the classes, we're going to start using the wristbands method, instead of the sign in sheet. I also want to start having first-timers classes, but then let people have their first two classes free. I want to run one first for the whole class, then start from there, that way everyone in the classes will be kept up to date. The first one will mainly be a talking session. Mixed witha few things.
I also want to cut away FNC, and start having a night similar to Melbourne's Rape Night, where we just continuously work on techniques, then finish off with intense conditioning. Something that will leave us unable to walk properly, something to really work us physically and mentally. I'm also going to star running between training spots. i did it in melbourne and realise how much we should be doing it here in Canberra.
I'm also keen to make a Canberra Parkour handshake. I have an idea (that isn't like the 5.10 dance) that incorporates parts from the David Belle group handshake to the different handshakes in Melbourne and Sydney. I'll see how the rest of Canberra like it.
i even came back with a Ped Rag. Something as a souvenier from my trip to melbourne, that is unique to canberra.
Did i achieve everything i originally acheived in melbourne? No, in that I didn't get to train with the real experiencved guys as much as I was hoping too, but this is something that can be done in the future. I did achieve things that I wasn't planning on achieving, such as meeting so many new people.
I have taken a lot from my trip to melbourne, and i hjope to be able to do this same type of trip to sydney, hopefully in july.
Melbourne Trip - Day 6
Woke up at 0900. had a shower, got changed, then packed my bags. I cooked breakfast (the same one of rice, tuna and an egg) for Chippa and myself. Then sat around with Chippa for a bit.
I talkedwith Chippa about how I can go about getting my instructor qualification. he showed me the ideas that are in the making for the doing up for the application. The physical qualifications look pretty hard, especially being able to do 5 muscle ups. This means that I am going to really have to work towards getting this qualification. making it this hard is god though, as it will ensure the quality of the instructor.
From there Chippa drove me to the airport. Rhys and his girlfriend arrived at Chippa's place jsut before we left, so i said my farewell again, knowing that I will be able to meet him again when he comes to Canberra to rehearse his TV show thing later on.
We got to the airport at 1230, with more than enough time for me to check in. So I said my goodbyeto Chippa, thanking him for letting me stay at his place as well as the experiences that I had and the things tat I had learnt while in melbourne.
And now I'm back in Canberra, a bit tired but with excellent memories from my trip to Melbourne.
I talkedwith Chippa about how I can go about getting my instructor qualification. he showed me the ideas that are in the making for the doing up for the application. The physical qualifications look pretty hard, especially being able to do 5 muscle ups. This means that I am going to really have to work towards getting this qualification. making it this hard is god though, as it will ensure the quality of the instructor.
From there Chippa drove me to the airport. Rhys and his girlfriend arrived at Chippa's place jsut before we left, so i said my farewell again, knowing that I will be able to meet him again when he comes to Canberra to rehearse his TV show thing later on.
We got to the airport at 1230, with more than enough time for me to check in. So I said my goodbyeto Chippa, thanking him for letting me stay at his place as well as the experiences that I had and the things tat I had learnt while in melbourne.
And now I'm back in Canberra, a bit tired but with excellent memories from my trip to Melbourne.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Melbourne Trip - Day 5
Woke up at 0830, had a shower then did a bit of stretching before Chippa woke up. I made breakfast this time (well most of it) then sat around for a bit watching TV. Rhys showed up at one, just to hang, because Harley was busy.
From there Chippa and me left Rhys to go into the city to do a bit of training. He took me to a car park that had some good rails. From there we moved on to southbak where we met Sam, Smo and another guy that I can't remember the name of. he's been to a few of the trainings now. We trained at southbank for a bit, and then CHippa had to leave to go sort out his phone insurance and then go in to prepare for the Trace Elements perfomrance later that night.
So it was jusdt me and the other guys. We moved from southbank to a back area, that had some good precisions. I got a good running precision that Chippa does in one of the new Trace Elements videos, but I got it with two feet.
From there we moved to the back of the arts centre, where there were some really grippy walls and ledges. There we did a few tic tac to arm jumps. I even got off a tic tac to tic tac to arm jump. It's was pretty ineffient, but it was mainly about the physical capability that was required to be able to do it. Benji then cam eout of nowhere to do some training with us.
We then moved back along southbak to the area with the long black blocks, that is really good for precisions. I'm starting to refine my precision technique, such as reaching out with my feet to be able to get that little bit of extra distance. It was still evident that I have to work around my mental confidence in committing that little bit extra to the precision, so that I can reach that little bit further.
From there we moved on to the crackhead park. This is the playground behind the melbourne museum, that i had trained at with Chippa yesterday. On the way I bought a ped rag, just like what most of the big guys in Melbourne are wearing. it's kind of like my souvenier for the trip. Plus it keeps my head warm, so I don't need a beany anymore. At crackhead park we did a bit of balance work and a few arm jumps. I tried some arm jumps, but then my elbow started mucking up, so I stopped there. I think that I just have to let it rest and sort itself out. So I wont do any more parkour until Rhys comes to Canberra, or I'm doing filming for the commercial.
After crackhead park, we started to make our way to the Bali memorial, but on our way we foudn this awesome new spot. It was a stairwell that went into the ground, witha lot of rails and walls on the outside. it has a lot of potential for different types of movement at varying skill levels. So they guys played around in there for a while, but I stayed back as my elbow was still playing up.
From there we moved on to the Bali memorial, where there is a good wall closeby, that can be used to pratice various vaults.
We then all started to break off.
Just before he left, Benji asked me a few really deep questions about parkour. He asked me whether I had got out of the trip what I came to get, as well as what my idea of the philospohy of parkour was. Now this question, about the parkour philosophy, is a really tricking one. Benji had away of rephrasing it, what do I enjoy/get from doing parkour. When thinking about the answer, it kidn of came to me. I was thinking about my parkour history, and one moment stuck in my mind, when i was injured and was not supposed to do any sport. I remember doing my first vault, when i was getting to the end of my recovery from the injury. It was only a simple side vault, but the feeling I got from it. it was like pure happiness or joy. A feeling of freedom, to be able to move any way I want in any environment. The freedom of movement. I think that this is what makes my philospohy of parkour. Sure, I still follow the broader philosophy of helping others, becoming strong, but I think that it is this feeling of freedom in my movement that makes my parkour philosophy unique for me.
Well, after everyone had left, I went with Smo to the Arts House, so that we could go watch the Trace Elements show again. Smo already had a ticket, but I was expecting to be able to just get in. I was let down. I ended up getting put on the waiting list, then not making it in by only a few people. I felt so cut by this. So I jsut sat in the foyer, sulking a bit, thinking about all the ways I could have got in illegitimately. I then read the poster for the show, as well as the bios for each of the Trace Elements guys. it was actually pretty interesting to see how Arts House had decided how to explain parkour in the article. I then did a bit of stretching, until the show finished.
From there I went in and caught up witht he rest of the guys. I think ome were a bit shocked that I had just been sitting outside, instead of in watching the show. I really should have jsut gone in the doors from the side alley. Oh well.
From there we went to dinner at the bar. Afterwards I said my last farewells to most of the guys. Rhys said he'd let me know what was going on with his TV Show thing in Canberra. harley said he'd get in contact with me if he was ever in Canberra, to do some serious training. He was saying that with all the times he's been in Canberra, he's never done any real serious training. So hopefully I can take him out some time, be his parkour tour guide. Talking with jamie, he was talking about maybe doing a road trip to Canberra on one weekend. It will be interesting to see if it goes ahead, should be fun.
From there Chippa and me left Rhys to go into the city to do a bit of training. He took me to a car park that had some good rails. From there we moved on to southbak where we met Sam, Smo and another guy that I can't remember the name of. he's been to a few of the trainings now. We trained at southbank for a bit, and then CHippa had to leave to go sort out his phone insurance and then go in to prepare for the Trace Elements perfomrance later that night.
So it was jusdt me and the other guys. We moved from southbank to a back area, that had some good precisions. I got a good running precision that Chippa does in one of the new Trace Elements videos, but I got it with two feet.
From there we moved to the back of the arts centre, where there were some really grippy walls and ledges. There we did a few tic tac to arm jumps. I even got off a tic tac to tic tac to arm jump. It's was pretty ineffient, but it was mainly about the physical capability that was required to be able to do it. Benji then cam eout of nowhere to do some training with us.
We then moved back along southbak to the area with the long black blocks, that is really good for precisions. I'm starting to refine my precision technique, such as reaching out with my feet to be able to get that little bit of extra distance. It was still evident that I have to work around my mental confidence in committing that little bit extra to the precision, so that I can reach that little bit further.
From there we moved on to the crackhead park. This is the playground behind the melbourne museum, that i had trained at with Chippa yesterday. On the way I bought a ped rag, just like what most of the big guys in Melbourne are wearing. it's kind of like my souvenier for the trip. Plus it keeps my head warm, so I don't need a beany anymore. At crackhead park we did a bit of balance work and a few arm jumps. I tried some arm jumps, but then my elbow started mucking up, so I stopped there. I think that I just have to let it rest and sort itself out. So I wont do any more parkour until Rhys comes to Canberra, or I'm doing filming for the commercial.
After crackhead park, we started to make our way to the Bali memorial, but on our way we foudn this awesome new spot. It was a stairwell that went into the ground, witha lot of rails and walls on the outside. it has a lot of potential for different types of movement at varying skill levels. So they guys played around in there for a while, but I stayed back as my elbow was still playing up.
From there we moved on to the Bali memorial, where there is a good wall closeby, that can be used to pratice various vaults.
We then all started to break off.
Just before he left, Benji asked me a few really deep questions about parkour. He asked me whether I had got out of the trip what I came to get, as well as what my idea of the philospohy of parkour was. Now this question, about the parkour philosophy, is a really tricking one. Benji had away of rephrasing it, what do I enjoy/get from doing parkour. When thinking about the answer, it kidn of came to me. I was thinking about my parkour history, and one moment stuck in my mind, when i was injured and was not supposed to do any sport. I remember doing my first vault, when i was getting to the end of my recovery from the injury. It was only a simple side vault, but the feeling I got from it. it was like pure happiness or joy. A feeling of freedom, to be able to move any way I want in any environment. The freedom of movement. I think that this is what makes my philospohy of parkour. Sure, I still follow the broader philosophy of helping others, becoming strong, but I think that it is this feeling of freedom in my movement that makes my parkour philosophy unique for me.
Well, after everyone had left, I went with Smo to the Arts House, so that we could go watch the Trace Elements show again. Smo already had a ticket, but I was expecting to be able to just get in. I was let down. I ended up getting put on the waiting list, then not making it in by only a few people. I felt so cut by this. So I jsut sat in the foyer, sulking a bit, thinking about all the ways I could have got in illegitimately. I then read the poster for the show, as well as the bios for each of the Trace Elements guys. it was actually pretty interesting to see how Arts House had decided how to explain parkour in the article. I then did a bit of stretching, until the show finished.
From there I went in and caught up witht he rest of the guys. I think ome were a bit shocked that I had just been sitting outside, instead of in watching the show. I really should have jsut gone in the doors from the side alley. Oh well.
From there we went to dinner at the bar. Afterwards I said my last farewells to most of the guys. Rhys said he'd let me know what was going on with his TV Show thing in Canberra. harley said he'd get in contact with me if he was ever in Canberra, to do some serious training. He was saying that with all the times he's been in Canberra, he's never done any real serious training. So hopefully I can take him out some time, be his parkour tour guide. Talking with jamie, he was talking about maybe doing a road trip to Canberra on one weekend. It will be interesting to see if it goes ahead, should be fun.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Melbourne Trip - Day 4
Woke up at 9am. had a shower and stuff because I hadn't had one the night before, I just got back too late. I spent a bit of time on the net, had breakfast, then we headed off.
i went with Chippa to the Melbourne Museum, that has an awesome playground outside it. We spent a lot of the time talking about different things. I got him to try and help me with my climb ups. I now know that I have a long way to go ebfore I have them down perfect. I have to practice the pendulum motion that Chippa told me about, that way slippery walls/shoes won't ever be an issue. I can do climb ups on grippy walls, but slippery walls are the truew test.
My elbow was starting to hurt again, it seems that pulling movements set it off. I'll have to refrain from pulling movements from now on, until it's better.
From there we moved around the museum to the old monoliths, where we worked on precisions, cat passes and rolls. I got a good cat pass to precision that Chippa showed me. My rolls are also starting to improve. I still need to pick up the right techqniue for my right side, as in coming off the middle side of my back, instead of the hip. I have this technique down pat for my left side, because I'm only now starting to properly train rolls on my left side, and I'm doing it with the right technique, as opposed to trying to break old habits with my right side. I just ned to practice the coordination with the left side. I'm also starting to get comfortable with rolls of height, as in the impact is starting to feel less and less.
From there we made our way to Town Hall to meet with the rest of the Trace Elements guys. I hung around with them for a few hours, then made my way off into the suburbs at 5.30pm.
The plan was to meet up with Sam and a couple of the other melbourne traceurs. I started walking into the city to catch a train, but then realzsied that I should run it. I want to try and bring more running into the Canberra scene, as I know that it is definately an area that I need to improve on, as well as with some of the other guys. So I was running down this one street, that I thought would lead me to the state library and central station. After a while I found myself at the Melbourne Museum, and realised that I had been running down the wrong street. After a few calls and asking a few people on the street, I was finally at central station, on a train into the suburbs.
I met up with Sam and we went off to do some night training in the wet. It had just been raining, so it was still wet. I originally backed down, but got convined to go out and train. Sam took me to a few goods spots around his area. There were some good walls in an alley, as well as an awesome rail set with a lot of growing potentioal. There were some good ledges around the corner from this, where we did arm jumps, and I found a good lunging run that finished with a cat pass, something that Sam hadn't thought of before. It's always good to have new people train in your area, because they think of different things to do, that you would have never have thought of. From there we went ofr a run to a park, where there were some good playground and rail work.
After that I made my way back to Chippa's place. Running off the directions that Sam had told me. I got a bit lost but this was soon remedied by a quick call to Chippa.
Tomorrow I plan on meeting up with Sam again, to do some training in the city. We plan on starting at 2, then going on into the night. I might even be able to get some 1on1 training with Chippa again in the morning. My elbow is still playing up, hopefully it will be fixed by the morning, but I will still have to keep away from climb ups adn arm jumps, as I don't want to amplify this realy weird injury.
i went with Chippa to the Melbourne Museum, that has an awesome playground outside it. We spent a lot of the time talking about different things. I got him to try and help me with my climb ups. I now know that I have a long way to go ebfore I have them down perfect. I have to practice the pendulum motion that Chippa told me about, that way slippery walls/shoes won't ever be an issue. I can do climb ups on grippy walls, but slippery walls are the truew test.
My elbow was starting to hurt again, it seems that pulling movements set it off. I'll have to refrain from pulling movements from now on, until it's better.
From there we moved around the museum to the old monoliths, where we worked on precisions, cat passes and rolls. I got a good cat pass to precision that Chippa showed me. My rolls are also starting to improve. I still need to pick up the right techqniue for my right side, as in coming off the middle side of my back, instead of the hip. I have this technique down pat for my left side, because I'm only now starting to properly train rolls on my left side, and I'm doing it with the right technique, as opposed to trying to break old habits with my right side. I just ned to practice the coordination with the left side. I'm also starting to get comfortable with rolls of height, as in the impact is starting to feel less and less.
From there we made our way to Town Hall to meet with the rest of the Trace Elements guys. I hung around with them for a few hours, then made my way off into the suburbs at 5.30pm.
The plan was to meet up with Sam and a couple of the other melbourne traceurs. I started walking into the city to catch a train, but then realzsied that I should run it. I want to try and bring more running into the Canberra scene, as I know that it is definately an area that I need to improve on, as well as with some of the other guys. So I was running down this one street, that I thought would lead me to the state library and central station. After a while I found myself at the Melbourne Museum, and realised that I had been running down the wrong street. After a few calls and asking a few people on the street, I was finally at central station, on a train into the suburbs.
I met up with Sam and we went off to do some night training in the wet. It had just been raining, so it was still wet. I originally backed down, but got convined to go out and train. Sam took me to a few goods spots around his area. There were some good walls in an alley, as well as an awesome rail set with a lot of growing potentioal. There were some good ledges around the corner from this, where we did arm jumps, and I found a good lunging run that finished with a cat pass, something that Sam hadn't thought of before. It's always good to have new people train in your area, because they think of different things to do, that you would have never have thought of. From there we went ofr a run to a park, where there were some good playground and rail work.
After that I made my way back to Chippa's place. Running off the directions that Sam had told me. I got a bit lost but this was soon remedied by a quick call to Chippa.
Tomorrow I plan on meeting up with Sam again, to do some training in the city. We plan on starting at 2, then going on into the night. I might even be able to get some 1on1 training with Chippa again in the morning. My elbow is still playing up, hopefully it will be fixed by the morning, but I will still have to keep away from climb ups adn arm jumps, as I don't want to amplify this realy weird injury.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Melbourne Trip - Day 3
Woke up at 9.
Chippa was awake when i had fi shed getting ready, so i did some stretching. I had a lot of DOMS from the last two days, so the stretching was a bit useful.
Had the normal breakfast with Chippa after he'd woken up. Then we headed off for town hall.
Met the guys there and just sat around with them. I did a bit mroe stretching with them.
After lunch I decided to go into the city and try some solo training. I went to the chinese gardens first, where i really worked in the hole with the good cat to arm. i first started do some arm to arms, then moved on to precisions. It helped with building up my confidence with precisions, as it was on a high obstacle with a small landing area. It helped by forcing me to land properly and committ to the jump. I tried the cat to arm but kept slipping down the wall. I also did a couple of cat to precisions on the rocks.
From there i made my way down to southbank. I think that I may have jarred my left elbow, so I didn't feel that good with trying any more things. So I did some balancing along the rails at southbank, then made my way back to town hall.
I got back a bit before the performance started.
The Trace Elements performance was incredible. I really took a lot out of it. It was really interesting to see how each of them moved. It really was the art of movement. I loved how they portayed what life as a traceur is like. How we start with warming up, doing dynamics stretches. Then moveing on to basic movements, to warm up the body, starting small. the building up to the big stuff, sizing it up, having the spotters, giving a half arsed attempt (which may turn into a bail, ut the spotters are there to save you), then going for the full committ. it was amazing to see the type of movents as well. Alex's bar work is incredible! The choreography with the jumps over the arms was excellent. Just being able to move i such a manner. it really shoed me why these guys are some of the best traceurs in australia. The show ended up being a huge success, the actual shows should be even better.
I remember Rhys talking about how people look at them and say "wow, that's awesome, i could never do that," but then he says "yes you can, all you have toi do is work for it, train up to it." I was thinking about that statement, and how it relates to myself. I watch the Trace Elements guys, and I see how amazing he stuff they do is. But I've come to realise that I'm not in state that I'm thinking I could never do that. When I think about it, I actually believe taht I can get as good as those guys, all I have to do is t5rain up to it. Some of the stuff they do, I think I could do as well, all I have to do is try it. It just comes to show that to be able to get good at anything, all you have to do si work for it, work towards that bigger goal.
So at the end of the day, we had dinner then helped Morgan push start his car. This was fun as it involved us psuhing his car down a hill, past all the traffic and people.
Tomorrow I may be able to get out and work through some things with Chippa that will go towards getting my instructor qualification. Then I might go out again to do another solo run, this time along southbank, depending on how I'm feeling.
Chippa was awake when i had fi shed getting ready, so i did some stretching. I had a lot of DOMS from the last two days, so the stretching was a bit useful.
Had the normal breakfast with Chippa after he'd woken up. Then we headed off for town hall.
Met the guys there and just sat around with them. I did a bit mroe stretching with them.
After lunch I decided to go into the city and try some solo training. I went to the chinese gardens first, where i really worked in the hole with the good cat to arm. i first started do some arm to arms, then moved on to precisions. It helped with building up my confidence with precisions, as it was on a high obstacle with a small landing area. It helped by forcing me to land properly and committ to the jump. I tried the cat to arm but kept slipping down the wall. I also did a couple of cat to precisions on the rocks.
From there i made my way down to southbank. I think that I may have jarred my left elbow, so I didn't feel that good with trying any more things. So I did some balancing along the rails at southbank, then made my way back to town hall.
I got back a bit before the performance started.
The Trace Elements performance was incredible. I really took a lot out of it. It was really interesting to see how each of them moved. It really was the art of movement. I loved how they portayed what life as a traceur is like. How we start with warming up, doing dynamics stretches. Then moveing on to basic movements, to warm up the body, starting small. the building up to the big stuff, sizing it up, having the spotters, giving a half arsed attempt (which may turn into a bail, ut the spotters are there to save you), then going for the full committ. it was amazing to see the type of movents as well. Alex's bar work is incredible! The choreography with the jumps over the arms was excellent. Just being able to move i such a manner. it really shoed me why these guys are some of the best traceurs in australia. The show ended up being a huge success, the actual shows should be even better.
I remember Rhys talking about how people look at them and say "wow, that's awesome, i could never do that," but then he says "yes you can, all you have toi do is work for it, train up to it." I was thinking about that statement, and how it relates to myself. I watch the Trace Elements guys, and I see how amazing he stuff they do is. But I've come to realise that I'm not in state that I'm thinking I could never do that. When I think about it, I actually believe taht I can get as good as those guys, all I have to do is t5rain up to it. Some of the stuff they do, I think I could do as well, all I have to do is try it. It just comes to show that to be able to get good at anything, all you have to do si work for it, work towards that bigger goal.
So at the end of the day, we had dinner then helped Morgan push start his car. This was fun as it involved us psuhing his car down a hill, past all the traffic and people.
Tomorrow I may be able to get out and work through some things with Chippa that will go towards getting my instructor qualification. Then I might go out again to do another solo run, this time along southbank, depending on how I'm feeling.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Melbourne Trip - Day 2
Starting with a 0830 wakeup. Got changed, had breakfast, then headed off to the arts for more Trace Elements rehearsel.
I stayed there for a bit then ran with Nippon to the library, where we met more of the instructors. From there we ran to southbank where we had the instructor training session, which lasted for two hours. It was really just a training session to do whatever you wanted along southbank. I also met with Ruzkin, so it was good to train with him again. I was so close to getting huge foot trials on the walls along southbank. I also wortked on precisions, vaults, climbups, wall runs and other different things. I even got the upside down under the bridge climb. It was as scary as I thought it was going to be.
There was also a lot of blood appear at the instrcuor training. Benji sliced his knee when climbing under a wodden bridge piece. Ruzkin cut up his hand from arm jumps. And another younger guy cut his hand when he fell into the river when nearly finishing the under the bridge climb.
From there we had lunch and moved on to teach the class. it was good to see how the Melbourne guys run their class. Seeing new things that i can bring back to the classes here in Canberra, as well as the similarities between classes.
We did the normal warmup of running and dynamic stretches. Then moved on to rolls and quadrapedal. From there the group was split into two. I went with Ruzkin's group were we went to the rocks to work on precisions and pop vaults. We also did a small amount of conditioning up this HUGE stair case. It's probably twice the amount of stair as the staris near the Canberra Theatre, with stairs that are thicker too. After that we went back to the waves to warmdown. Overall the class was really good, with a lot of participants.
What I want to take from it is to have a first timers class, where we talk to them about parkour, give an introduction to it. I also want to start using the wristbands, as they are a lot easier than having a sign in sheet. I'll just have to make sure to count the numbers for when I record them later on.
Afterwards I went back to the Arts House top watch the Trace Elements guys some more. We got to play a bit on the scaffolding, and I've now come to truly realise how much bars give you bad callouses. I did a bit of bboying too, just showing off and having fun, as well as watched the guys practice some massive stunts that they will be doing in the show. The show should be really good. I'm going to be seeing it tomorrow night, so it should be really awesome.
Since the Trace Elements guys will just be rehearsing more tomorrow, I'm thinking that I might go for some solo training around Melbourne. Do some exploring and see what I can find.
I stayed there for a bit then ran with Nippon to the library, where we met more of the instructors. From there we ran to southbank where we had the instructor training session, which lasted for two hours. It was really just a training session to do whatever you wanted along southbank. I also met with Ruzkin, so it was good to train with him again. I was so close to getting huge foot trials on the walls along southbank. I also wortked on precisions, vaults, climbups, wall runs and other different things. I even got the upside down under the bridge climb. It was as scary as I thought it was going to be.
There was also a lot of blood appear at the instrcuor training. Benji sliced his knee when climbing under a wodden bridge piece. Ruzkin cut up his hand from arm jumps. And another younger guy cut his hand when he fell into the river when nearly finishing the under the bridge climb.
From there we had lunch and moved on to teach the class. it was good to see how the Melbourne guys run their class. Seeing new things that i can bring back to the classes here in Canberra, as well as the similarities between classes.
We did the normal warmup of running and dynamic stretches. Then moved on to rolls and quadrapedal. From there the group was split into two. I went with Ruzkin's group were we went to the rocks to work on precisions and pop vaults. We also did a small amount of conditioning up this HUGE stair case. It's probably twice the amount of stair as the staris near the Canberra Theatre, with stairs that are thicker too. After that we went back to the waves to warmdown. Overall the class was really good, with a lot of participants.
What I want to take from it is to have a first timers class, where we talk to them about parkour, give an introduction to it. I also want to start using the wristbands, as they are a lot easier than having a sign in sheet. I'll just have to make sure to count the numbers for when I record them later on.
Afterwards I went back to the Arts House top watch the Trace Elements guys some more. We got to play a bit on the scaffolding, and I've now come to truly realise how much bars give you bad callouses. I did a bit of bboying too, just showing off and having fun, as well as watched the guys practice some massive stunts that they will be doing in the show. The show should be really good. I'm going to be seeing it tomorrow night, so it should be really awesome.
Since the Trace Elements guys will just be rehearsing more tomorrow, I'm thinking that I might go for some solo training around Melbourne. Do some exploring and see what I can find.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Melbourne Trip - Day 1
Well I'm finally here in Melbourne. I arrived at 0610 on a bus, while it was still dark. Chippa said he'd pick me up, but he got mistaken and thought I was arriving later that night, instead of the morning. It was all good though, I just caught a train to his area wher he picked me up.
So I dropped my stuff in, had some breakfast, then we headed into the city.
We went to the Arts House, where Trace Elements are practicing for a show that they will be doing in the next few days. Most of their time has been spent preparing for this show. I hung around with the for a bit, playing around on their swcaffolding set.
After lunch I made my way into the city to meet the other Melbourne instructors for a games session. The Melbourne guys are starting to get involved in classes for after school care programs, so they were running a games session to play around with some games that they could use for the after school classes.
From there I went back to the Arts House to hang with the Trace Elements guys some more. I got to do a lot more playing on the scaffolding, getting one pretty big latche.
Overall the day was pretty good. I got to meet a lot of new people, the rest of the Trace Elements group, and some of the Melbourne Instructors. I also got lost on my way back to the Arts House from Southbank, but evetually found my way.
I haven't yet gone out to speciaifcally train with Chippa, which is oneof the reasons why I've comne down to Melbourne, as he has been busy with Trace Elements. I understand this, but I will hopefully get a lot of opportunities to train with a lot of the other Melbourne instructors.
We'll just have to see how the trip unfolds.
So I dropped my stuff in, had some breakfast, then we headed into the city.
We went to the Arts House, where Trace Elements are practicing for a show that they will be doing in the next few days. Most of their time has been spent preparing for this show. I hung around with the for a bit, playing around on their swcaffolding set.
After lunch I made my way into the city to meet the other Melbourne instructors for a games session. The Melbourne guys are starting to get involved in classes for after school care programs, so they were running a games session to play around with some games that they could use for the after school classes.
From there I went back to the Arts House to hang with the Trace Elements guys some more. I got to do a lot more playing on the scaffolding, getting one pretty big latche.
Overall the day was pretty good. I got to meet a lot of new people, the rest of the Trace Elements group, and some of the Melbourne Instructors. I also got lost on my way back to the Arts House from Southbank, but evetually found my way.
I haven't yet gone out to speciaifcally train with Chippa, which is oneof the reasons why I've comne down to Melbourne, as he has been busy with Trace Elements. I understand this, but I will hopefully get a lot of opportunities to train with a lot of the other Melbourne instructors.
We'll just have to see how the trip unfolds.
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