The Gods of Parkour

In recent times I have been thinking about the reasons behind why I practice parkour. Looking at people around me, everyone is moving at a much faster rate. Are capable of doing things that I have never thought of or could possibly attempt. Injuries and time have taken their toll on my body. But there is something in me that asks me to do a vault again.

When my knee hurts or my shoulders pain, there is a small voice that tells me - just one jump. You can stop if it hurts. I am yet to put a face to that voice.

Of all the things that I have feared and all the things that have pushed me down, an element of respect has been created for only a very few things around me. These are elements that are the same for everyone. There is no stopping these elements. They keep moving engulfing everything in its path. But a traceur - ah the true traceur can move with these elements and become stronger and better.

The elements that I talk about are Space, Gravity, Earth and Time. They form the essence of parkour. Contemplating at the repetition of moves and the various workouts and exercises that I do, one simple thought stands out. It is the space that gives freedom, gravity that generates strength, Earth that forms the foundation and time is the teacher. I am in deep awe of these unstoppable forces of nature and how they influence my every move.

My only longing is for everyone to realize this awesome power that aids us at every moment. As we fly through the air from one obstacle to another, may there be harmony between the traceur and these elements to create a being - A being that in an infinitesimal way improves with every jump. A traceur who takes off is not the one who lands.

To be aware of this change - physical and mental - that to me is the true essence of parkour.

Parkour for life.