Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
How to Understand the Difference Between Parkour and Free Running
Both parkour and free running have been taking the world by storm for the last decade or so. They may seem to be synonyms at first, but there are actually some pretty big differences between the two.
INSTRUCTION
1INSTRUCTION
Understand What parkour is. Parkour can essentially be boiled down to the art of moving efficiently. A Traceur (person who practices parkour) goes from point A to point B in the most direct, most efficient way possible. If there is something in the way then they will vault, jump, or climb over it. In parkour efficiency is king, and thus it is very much akin to a martial art in which the goal isn't to look pretty, but rather to learn effective techniques.
2
Understand what parkour isn't. Parkour isn't a list of moves like in a Tony Hawk game. Doing something like a "270 tic tac wall climb", is not parkour. Because the goal isn't to look pretty. It doesn't matter how you do something in parkour, all that matters is that did it safely and efficiently. Flips are rarely, if ever, considered to be "Parkour" because many traceurs will consider them to be frivolous. To quote Traceur Chris Rowat "In the same way that a lion wouldn't consider adding any unnecessary flair or danger to crossing a fast-flowing river, I try to find challenging jumps, obstacles and routes that force me to face my fears and push my limits using just the most basic of techniques."
Understand what parkour isn't. Parkour isn't a list of moves like in a Tony Hawk game. Doing something like a "270 tic tac wall climb", is not parkour. Because the goal isn't to look pretty. It doesn't matter how you do something in parkour, all that matters is that did it safely and efficiently. Flips are rarely, if ever, considered to be "Parkour" because many traceurs will consider them to be frivolous. To quote Traceur Chris Rowat "In the same way that a lion wouldn't consider adding any unnecessary flair or danger to crossing a fast-flowing river, I try to find challenging jumps, obstacles and routes that force me to face my fears and push my limits using just the most basic of techniques."
3
Free-Running does have all sorts of flips, and twist, which can make it very visually appealing!
Understand what Free Running is. It is true that initially Free Running started out as an English term for Parkour, but it has since evolved out of that designation. Free-running could be boiled down and simplified as Urban Gymnastics. Free-running has also become something more of an art, than parkour is, which could be considered more of a discipline. Free
Free-Running does have all sorts of flips, and twist, which can make it very visually appealing!
Understand what Free Running is. It is true that initially Free Running started out as an English term for Parkour, but it has since evolved out of that designation. Free-running could be boiled down and simplified as Urban Gymnastics. Free-running has also become something more of an art, than parkour is, which could be considered more of a discipline. Free
Running involves flips and spins, and other much more visual things.
4
Understand the point of both Parkour and Free-Running. Neither are about money or showing off. I'll repeat that for emphasis. NEITHER FREE RUNNING NOR PARKOUR ARE ABOUT SHOWING OFF, OR EARNING MONEY. It is incredibly important for anyone who wishes to train for either of these activities that this concept be understood. From a philosophical stand point, The fundamental aspect of both of these disciplines is about development of the self, although the reason for that development might differ from person to person. From a bit more pragmatic standpoint, just do what you enjoy.
Understand the point of both Parkour and Free-Running. Neither are about money or showing off. I'll repeat that for emphasis. NEITHER FREE RUNNING NOR PARKOUR ARE ABOUT SHOWING OFF, OR EARNING MONEY. It is incredibly important for anyone who wishes to train for either of these activities that this concept be understood. From a philosophical stand point, The fundamental aspect of both of these disciplines is about development of the self, although the reason for that development might differ from person to person. From a bit more pragmatic standpoint, just do what you enjoy.
5
There is some overlap between the definitions between parkour and free-running, but understand that neither is simply a list of moves. It about movement. Move and you'll discover how to move more, and better. Don't worry about comparing yourself to others, do what YOU can do, but push yourself.
There is some overlap between the definitions between parkour and free-running, but understand that neither is simply a list of moves. It about movement. Move and you'll discover how to move more, and better. Don't worry about comparing yourself to others, do what YOU can do, but push yourself.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
HIP-HOP
HIP-HOP
Hip-hop dance refers to social or choreographed dance styles primarily danced to hip-hop music or that have evolved as part of hip-hop culture. This includes a wide range of styles notably breaking, locking, and popping which were developed in the 1970s by Black and Latino Americans. What separates hip-hop dance from other forms of dance is that it is often freestyle (improvisational) in nature and hip-hop dancers frequently engage in battles—formal or informal freestyle dance competitions. Informal freestyle sessions and battles are usually performed in a cipher, a circular dance space that forms naturally once the dancing begins. These three elements—freestyling, battles, and ciphers—are key components of hip-hop dance.
More than 30 years old, hip-hop dance became widely known after the first professional breaking, locking, and popping crews formed in the 1970s. The most influential groups are the Rock Steady Crew, The Lockers, and the Electric Boogaloos who are responsible for the spread of breaking, locking, and popping respectively. Parallel with the evolution of hip-hop music, hip-hop dancing evolved from breaking and the funk styles into different forms: moves such as the "running man" and the "cabbage patch" hit the mainstream and became fad dances. The dance industry in particular responded with studio/commercial hip-hop, sometimes called new style, and jazz funk. These styles were developed by technically trained dancers who wanted to create choreography for hip-hop music from the hip-hop dances they saw being performed on the street. Because of this development, hip-hop dance is now practiced at both studios and outside spaces.
Internationally, hip-hop dance has had a particularly strong influence in France and South Korea. France is the birthplace of Tecktonik, a style of house dance from Paris that borrows heavily from popping and breaking. France is also the home of Juste Debout, an international hip-hop dance competition. South Korea is home to the international breaking competition R16 which is sponsored by the government and broadcast every year live on Korean television. The country consistently produces such skillful b-boys that the South Korean government has designated the Gamblerz and Rivers b-boy crews official ambassadors of Korean culture.
To some, hip-hop dance may only be a form of entertainment or a hobby. To others it has become a lifestyle: a way to be active in physical fitness or competitive dance and a way to make a living by dancing professionally.
Hip-hop dance refers to social or choreographed dance styles primarily danced to hip-hop music or that have evolved as part of hip-hop culture. This includes a wide range of styles notably breaking, locking, and popping which were developed in the 1970s by Black and Latino Americans. What separates hip-hop dance from other forms of dance is that it is often freestyle (improvisational) in nature and hip-hop dancers frequently engage in battles—formal or informal freestyle dance competitions. Informal freestyle sessions and battles are usually performed in a cipher, a circular dance space that forms naturally once the dancing begins. These three elements—freestyling, battles, and ciphers—are key components of hip-hop dance.
More than 30 years old, hip-hop dance became widely known after the first professional breaking, locking, and popping crews formed in the 1970s. The most influential groups are the Rock Steady Crew, The Lockers, and the Electric Boogaloos who are responsible for the spread of breaking, locking, and popping respectively. Parallel with the evolution of hip-hop music, hip-hop dancing evolved from breaking and the funk styles into different forms: moves such as the "running man" and the "cabbage patch" hit the mainstream and became fad dances. The dance industry in particular responded with studio/commercial hip-hop, sometimes called new style, and jazz funk. These styles were developed by technically trained dancers who wanted to create choreography for hip-hop music from the hip-hop dances they saw being performed on the street. Because of this development, hip-hop dance is now practiced at both studios and outside spaces.
Internationally, hip-hop dance has had a particularly strong influence in France and South Korea. France is the birthplace of Tecktonik, a style of house dance from Paris that borrows heavily from popping and breaking. France is also the home of Juste Debout, an international hip-hop dance competition. South Korea is home to the international breaking competition R16 which is sponsored by the government and broadcast every year live on Korean television. The country consistently produces such skillful b-boys that the South Korean government has designated the Gamblerz and Rivers b-boy crews official ambassadors of Korean culture.
To some, hip-hop dance may only be a form of entertainment or a hobby. To others it has become a lifestyle: a way to be active in physical fitness or competitive dance and a way to make a living by dancing professionally.
Free running
Free running or freerunning is a form of urban acrobatics in which participants, known as free runners, use the city and rural landscape to perform movements through its structures. It incorporates efficient movements from parkour, adds aesthetic vaults and other acrobatics, such as tricking and street stunts, creating an athletic and aesthetically pleasing way of moving. It is commonly practiced at gymnasiums and in urban areas that are cluttered with obstacles.
The term free running was coined during the filming of Jump London, as a way to present parkour to the English-speaking world. However, the term free running has come to represent a separate, distinct concept to parkour — a distinction which is often missed due to the aesthetic similarities. Parkour as a discipline emphasizes efficiency, whilst free running embodies complete freedom of movement — and includes many acrobatic maneuvers. Although the two are often physically similar, the mindsets of each are vastly different.
The founder and creator of Free running Sébastien Foucan defines free running as a discipline to self development, following your own way. which he developed because he felt that parkour lacked enough creativity and self-expression as a definition of each free-runner to follow your own way.
The term free running was coined during the filming of Jump London, as a way to present parkour to the English-speaking world. However, the term free running has come to represent a separate, distinct concept to parkour — a distinction which is often missed due to the aesthetic similarities. Parkour as a discipline emphasizes efficiency, whilst free running embodies complete freedom of movement — and includes many acrobatic maneuvers. Although the two are often physically similar, the mindsets of each are vastly different.
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