A Brief History of Parkour - The Path of the Warrior – and how Parkour can save your life! 

The term Parkour comes from the French ‘Parcours du Combattant’, which translates today as Obstacle Course, and was first coined in the early 1900s by French Naval Lieutenant George Hebert. Hebert was stationed on an island in Africa at the beginning of WWI when a volcano erupted, putting hundreds of lives in danger. He managed to coordinate the rescue of more than 700 people but observed in the process that many of them were unable to move freely when obstacles were in their path, hindering the efficiency of their escape efforts. Over the next decade, Hebert devised a whole new training programme for his troops – Methode Naturelle – based on running, jumping, swinging and climbing. Literally using obstacles to aid escape instead of relying on finding ways around them! The method gained in popularity and in the 1970s a young man called David Belle, whose Father was a follower of Hebert’s Methode Naturelle, took it one step further. Belle formed the now famous Yamakasi troop who literally vaulted the sport into the limelight and became widely recognised as the founders of modern Parkour.

 What are the Health Benefits of Parkour?

Parkour is a full body workout that improves muscular structure, cardio-vascular health, bone strength, core strength, posture and endurance. Children who practice parkour from an early age learn to use their bodies in the most efficient way and are better able to maintain their innate agility and flexibility. Adults who join the sport later soon find that they’re able to claim back lost agility and become more stronger, more flexible and more adaptable. Parkour delivers unexpected mental and personal benefits too! As you learn to negotiate obstacles at speed and move with greater efficiency, you’ll also learn 

- To be confident in your abilities 
-  To plan ahead and think critically
- To make fast, accurate risk assessments 
 - To explore your creativity
 - To regulate your emotions and… 
 - TO HAVE FUN