Parkour Explore

What is Parkour?

Parkour is a discipline recently developed in France. It is a system of training in which an individual tries to overcome obstacles in their environment in order to become stronger. It typically includes running, jumping, climbing, and vaulting. The goal being to develop the ability to move confidently through the environment.

Parkour was developed by a group of young men, the most well-known being David Belle. David's father, Raymond Belle, was a renowned hero in France for his incredible courage in both his career in firefighting, as well as his service in the Vietnam War. Raymond instilled in David strong character virtues and values, and it is through Parkour that David found a way to practice, express, encourage, and share these virtues with the world. The practice of Parkour develops Self-Discipline, Self-Confidence, Respect, Humility, Patience, Perseverance, and great deal of Courage.

How does this affect my family?

Parkour Explore is designed to impart these values in the minds and hearts of children, in a way that sticks. Children respond best to things that are fun, involve achievement, learning, and most of all, creativity and movement. Parkour naturally carries all of these components, and through expert teaching the values that lie at the foundation of the discipline of Parkour are absorbed by the children who practice it.

How does the program work?

Parkour Explore is designed to work with you, as a parent, to bring out the best in your children. You will share with the coaches what you want your child to get out of the program, and they will work with you to ensure success. Goals as simple as getting your child exercising, to as complex as building character and self-confidence will all be achieved in the program.

What will my child be doing?

In your first class, your child will be given a white wrist-band. This represents the beginning of his or her training. In class, the children will work on developing specific techniques, which are the basics to the physical practice of Parkour. When a technique has been 'mastered,' the student will receive a star on his or her wristband to represent the achievement. Once the child has five stars, he or she will receive the next wristband, of a different color. There is no linear order to the techniques that can be mastered. From landings and rolls to vaults and jumps, the children have plenty of opportunity, based on their natural abilities, to achieve in their own individual ways.

As time goes on, the children will not only develop these skills and abilities and a higher degree of physical fitness, but will have gone through the processes of character development required to make these achievements. The perseverance of not giving up, the courage to try new things, the discipline of trying their hardest, the self-confidence of achieving - these behaviors and character virtues will be nurtured by the class structure, and will be promoted outside of the their training: in school, at home, etc.

If you have any further questions about the program or Parkour in general, please do not hesitate to contact the head coach:

Adam McClellan

adam@lehighvalleyparkour.com

(484) 550-8719 Website: www.lehighvalleyparkour.com