Hi, Brad here, just need to update you with planned class changes for this week. From Wednesday through to Saturday morning, we'll be taking a break from classes as I will be undergoing an operation on Wednesday which will affect my mobility for a short period of time.
This will affect the following classes this week: Weds Adult OutdoorThursday FoundationsFriday Foundations/IntermediatesSaturday Adult Beginners
The Start of the next Southend Parkour beginners course (From Saturday 25th @ 1:00pm) is due to be running as scheduled.
Classes should be up and running as normal the following week, any classes booked for the above sessions will be transferred to the next available unbooked week (you will receive an automated email with an update)
As mentioned previously, we are still in talks with several key partners in the area to secure suitable spaces with a view to deliver more classes across the week. Please bear with us during this busy period and keep in the loop via the social media links below.
Many thanks and apologies for the schedule change this week, Brad.
We've just sent out our May newsletter with details about new classes coming to Southend, including a 5-7 years class, an 8-15 years beginners class and a continuation of our Girls only St Bernards Students sessions!
It has been just over a year since starting coaching sessions in the Southend area for adults and it's been great to see so many people giving Parkour a go and exploring movement. Things have progressed from 1 adult class class to 4+ classes a week for children and adults (with more opportunities planned). This clearly shows the interest and the need for quality Parkour learning opportunities in the local area and further across the UK, being met by a growing plethora of dedicated coaches.
For this blog series, I wanted to share some experiences from training and coaching over the past decade and share some thoughts about Parkour coaching, guidance and it's importance for learning through a practice as diverse as Parkour.
Coaching & The Internet: When I first started Parkour, we had Snail-paced internet and no YouTube. We shared ideas, questions and videos via forum links and YouSendIt.com (Shoutout!). We often left things on download while we'd head out training for the day sitting ready for us to watch by the time we got home!
Given that Parkour was 'new' to the UK, only a handful of mostly forum based websites existed to help each other learn together, Parkour.net (A focused Parkour forum) being a primary resource of current information and discussion... and Andi. ;)
Without the internet, we wouldn't have had opportunities to meet up, formulate ideas, learn about the history, share experiences, discuss techniques, organise communities, learn from more experienced people and formulate our own views and opinions based on the evidence and discussions available at hand. Internet forums were a searchable, ever evolving resource, documenting the ongoing learning and evolution of Parkour, predominantly focused on movement aspirations stemming from a tiny pool of videos, interviews and literature of the early pioneers.
A few words I use to describe these videos and those in them: raw, powerful, simple, fast, strong. See what I mean?
Today, the internet is the first port of call for information, it is a massive part of our lives, our culture, our businesses, our learning.... however it needs to be remembered, it is all still very young. It's still learning how to effectively share and regulate information and we're still learning how it affects us.
Today, with any subject, anyone has the means to create a "how-to" video and share it; on occasion this content may is good and help things develop, but mostly, content shared lacks in the intricacies which may need to be conveyed, this content neglects the hours and hours of training and failures and focuses on the end-result, the spectacle... and this is the best of the bad stuff.... the rest may be viral-focused, views-hunting, subscription-wanting video content .... "junk-food", pushing stuff which more often than not, malnourishes the practice and those searching for it.
The internet is unregulated, anyone can post and say anything, experienced or not. At least with coaching in the UK and learning in person with a qualified coach, there have been steps and in reality, years worth of checks and balances put in place to ensure experience, understanding and a good level of coaching ability. These skills have been developed and assessed in order to provide students with a good level of information and guidance. This provides instant feedback, opportunities to be challenged and supported to learn and grow in that moment, there and then alongside a high degree of care and accountability.
I'm not knocking the internet at all, it's such an amazing resource to share and learn through and it has helped massively in the growth and development of Parkour; nor am I saying "old content" was the perfect example, but with the community being smaller and having less available, there was or seemed to be a greater level of accountability. We had pages and pages of forum comments following a video and generate further, worthwhile discussion on the positives and negatives of the video's content, realising the benefits and limitations of what was being shared so that we can all grow and learn together (this is far removed from the youtube trolling comments from people that may or may not care about Parkour).
The speed and ease of distribution of information may be more of a hindrance to real knowledge than a benefit as is often assumed, in particular individuals who do not question information presented.
The unregulated nature of today's content; the impressionability of young people and for beginners who may not know any better, can be a potentially harmful thing.
The information we feed the mind and body, manifests in our lives and actions, the higher the quality and greater balance of information taken in, will provide a greater, more rounded and healthy understanding of the whole practice.
For some, the internet may well still be the primary option for learning... so as long as you research, challenge and question what's provided, it can absolutely help you on your journey. If you have the opportunity to access a coach nearby, (certified, experienced and clearly lives by what they teach) it make's a lot of sense to use them, chances are they've been there and done it and will guide you to find your own way of doing things and help you in find what's important, in both training and life.
With great power comes great responsibility. Question it all, challenge it, explore it.
We've launched a new newsletter and mailing list for you to subscribe to for exclusive content, offers and updates you won't find anywhere else! If you'd like a sample you can see the first email which was sent a few days ago via the link below.
Classes are small for excellent ratios and will work with both indoor and outdoor training to develop well rounding young Traceurs'/Traceuse'! You have until Sunday morning to book your place for that week, each week, so don't leave it to the last minute.
If you haven't please make sure you follow us on facebook, twitter, instagram and youtube for news and updates like the one below!
We will not be holding any classes on Good Friday and will return the week after with a second junior class in place of the later adult session, schedule below.
March: Wed 25th - Adult Outdoor Fri 27th - Junior Indoor from 6pm, Adult Indoor from 7:20pm.
April Wed 1st - Adult Outdoor Fri 3rd - NO CLASSES
Wed 8th - Adult Outdoor Fri 10th - Indoor Junior: Class 1 from 6pm and Class 2 from 7:20pm.
As ever, all classes need to be booked online via www.southendparkour.com - click "book online" to book up to a month in advance.
Keep up to date by following us on: FACEBOOK, TWITTER, YOUTUBE and INSTAGRAM for exclusive offers, competitions and updates.
Short post to explore 5 reasons for learning Parkour, they may not be what you think but hopefully they will help you understand what we're about and what Parkour and you, can do!
1. Health
Globally, the majority of us we are sitting or still for most of the day. Sedentary lifestyles increase a variety of health issues, we're not doing what we're built to do, MOVE!
We're built to walk, run, climb, vault, squat, lift, carry and chase. Not doing so leads to a 'wealth' of health issues which more often than not, shorten the quality of our lives. By moving more and realising where (using our surroundings) and how we can move (using our bodies safely), we start a journey towards doing what we're built to do, rekindling not only our ability to move, but our physical fitness ability and overall health.
2. Safety
We're all familiar with the "fight or flight" state, in a high stress situation our mental and physical response to a stressor is to either run away or fight to survive (We are built to move)!. Although these situations may be rare in the UK or "civilised society", things do still happen; fires, attacks, the need to chase, the need to reach, the need to escape.
Martial arts are a common practice in the UK, having dabbled in Wing Chun, Ninjitsu and Krav Maga, to varying degrees, we're often told, "Run first, but if you can't, as a last here's how to defend yourself."
Parkour develops the first part and is, in our opinion, as important as being able to handle yourself up close. As a practical example, a friend had a knife pulled out on him, he could immediately vault a rail safely and had a barrier between the attacker and him. Parkour is great for self defence, run, escape and move! If you've not practised escaping, running or vaulting under pressure, if your slip and are hurt, the attacker has you anyway... it makes sense to practice the art of escape.
Practising Parkour and movement also allows you to deal with mistakes better, through knowing your body and how to move. Most times when I fall, slip etc, my training enables me to avoid injury and still land safely, living to "flight" another day! We all make mistakes and will fall, Parkour tends to help us be safe doing so!
3. Fun
Parkour is fun! A big deterrent from most forms of exercise is that it can be quite boring, obviously it's perspective, but lots of individuals who try Parkour, latch onto it and continue. Competitive sports tend to focus your performance on other's ability, Parkour is different in that it accepts that we are all unique, we all have strengths and weakness and all move differently. You can't accurately compare yourself to another because you are and will be different! In training we move and explore, finding new challenges, new spaces, new situations to grow and develop. There is no ultimate "right or wrong" with Parkour as a practice, only what works for you and your movement in a given situation. We learn through challenges: personally and externally set; we learn through imagination and games: Playing "Stay off the ground" and similar games/ scenarios. Because we are all unique, we can set our own goals, to move towards them at our own pace and ensure our own safe and fun progression.
4. Benefits of Challenge
We face challenges daily in all areas of our, work, personal, social and recreational lives. In training and overcoming obstacles we have to apply our physical and mental being to overcome, practising practical problem solving skills. We physically and mentally overcome these challenges, we achieve. Through achievement, we gain confidence, building an "experience backpack", a collection of challenges faced and overcome, which we can apply to future challenges faced. People who practice Parkour tend to have a very similar attitude and approach to life in that things can be done and problems can be solved. Even if we don't know, we still try (as long as it's safe to do so), in turn, gaining experience and apply to our future personal conquests!
5. Adaptability Being an adaptable person is a very useful skill/personality. Tying in with some of the areas mentioned above Parkour practitioners, seek, try, gain experience, reflect and apply what has been learnt, what works and what doesn't work, to future challenges both mentally and physically.
As such, Parkour tends to aid people in other sports and other physical activities from having a good experience and understanding of movement. There is a mindset developed through practice, to very quickly risk assess, problem solve and develop creative solutions to problems or challenges presented. In a world where change is an integral part of society; jobs, lifestyle, time, family, friends, technology, having the confidence to adapt and change yourself is something many people can struggle with.
To quote Sebastien Foucan, In overcoming, we become.
START YOUR JOURNEY! Join us for a class or if you have any questions, please visit www.southendparkour.com
First of all, I'd like to thank all of the support so far and throughout the end of 2014. It's always inspiring to see younger, older, new and experienced practitioners involved with our classes and services. As much as we've only been officially trading since October, we've been involved in Parkour in one entity or another for well over a decade, having had the opportunity to travel and coach all across the UK and abroad. Following the announcements below it will become increasingly important to keep connected with news as an when it comes. Our facebook account will detail last minute spaces for classes to please ensure you are connected with us for important recent changes. Other unique content is and will be also added regularly via our twitter, instagram, and youtube so please ensure you follow!
Moving forward into 2015, we are please to announce a few new developments:
Firstly: Cheaper Outdoor Classes! Our weekly adult outdoor class, which explores Parkour in the real work is now open for anyone 16+ (With parental consent) and now reduced to £8 for 2 hours of outdoor, Parkour coaching. These classes put Parkour training where it belongs, out in the open, rain or shine, utilising spaces in Southend to learn, strengthen, challenge, adapt and overcome! Find out about these on our website www.southendparkour.com/classes
Secondly:We will be adding two new Southend classesfrom the 16th January 2015!
The first will be a "Junior class" for young people ages 8 to 15 years of age, taking place at an indoor training space in Southend for 1 hour & 10 minutes of Parkour movement development and functional fitness under our expert guidance. 6:00pm til 7:10pm The second class will follow immediately after for a 16+ (Senior Class) 1 Hour & 10 Minute class, challenging attendees to adapt and overcome through Parkour skill development and functional fitness. 7:20pm til 8:30pm. Wall frames, ropes, vaults and matting will help support your effective learning. As much as indoor training can't entirely substitute outdoor training, it can provide a great introduction to the practice and you'll still be challenged through fun and engaging guided practice; improving fitness and physical ability with our training.
Finally: We're going digital! You can now sign up and pay online to all of our classes via our new online booking system, booking up to a month in advance!
You can book via our website at www.southendparkour.com/classes, then click the "Book online" button. Using this ensures we can have spaces filled while not oversubscribing which may make a wasted journey for some. If you have any questions or issues, contact us through the email address listed on the system or contact us through our website, www.southendparkour.com/contact
Please read the information carefully before booking, to ensure correct dates/classes.
We look forward to moving with you this year! Thanks for joining us!
On this page we will share local news and updates about our classes and training opportunities alongside useful information and advice for ongoing Parkour learning and development.
Please follow us on our social media channels by clicking the links to the right of this post.
