L’Art du déplacement / Le Parkour

What is parkour?“Words are the source of misunderstandings” --Antoine de saint-Exupéry

PHOTOS COURTESY JENNY TETTING, WISCONSIN PARKOUR

pilgrimage Video courtesy duncan germain

“But isn’t that dangerous?”

“See the truth of the art beyond the mere spectacle and showmanship. Do not be deluded by what you see in movies or on television: in almost all those scenarios, extensive security and safety measures are in place and the actions are always performed by professionals while other professionals ensure that nothing is left to chance. Research, delve deeper – you will find that mastery comes from rigorous practise and continuous refinement of the fundamentals. There are no short-cuts, and no secrets.” --Dan Edwardes, Parkour Generations

“OUR FITNESS IS OUR ARMOR.”

* “Être fort pour être utile”* Physical conditioning & constant training* Teaching/coaching qualifications (such as A.D.A.P.T.)

PHOTO COURTESY PARKOUR GENERATIONS

PROJECT

What it isa discipline

holistic

challenging/progressive

personal/individual

collaborative

functional PHOTO COURTESY JENNY TETTING, WISCONSIN PARKOUR

What it isn’ta sport (strictly speaking)

extreme

rebellious

concerned with showing off

competitive

vandalism/disorderly conduct

Examples / Non-examples

One art, many namesL’Art du déplacementParkourFreerunning

Parkour: An Ancient, yet Modern ArtPrehistoric times

1900s

1980s-Present

France (Lisses, Evry, Sarcelles)UKGlobally

LA DAME DU LAC, EVRY, FRANCE. PHOTO COURTESY ANDY DAY, KIELL.COM

Some of The Original Founders (1986-88)

DAVID BELLE CHAU BELLE-DINH YANN HNAUTRA

LAURENT PIEMONTESI

SEBASTIEN FOUCAN

L’arbre généalogiqueL’art du déplacement

SHIFTING MOTIVATIONS, PHILOSOPHIES, & IDENTITIES“Trying to pinpoint the exact moment of the birth of parkour is no easy task.” --Dan Edwardes, Parkour

Generations

PHOTO COURTESY ANDY DAY, KIELL.COM

One art, many namesL’Art du déplacementParkourFreerunning

Parkour vs. Freerunning(Different but same)

2004: Release of Luc Besson film Banlieue 13 in France

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cqi3E6RRCig

Why this is good for your French program

Cross-disciplinary

Attracts more boys to French

Relevance / “cool factor” (go beyond “baguettes & berets”)

Facilitates recruiting allies/advocates/stakeholders

Qu’en pensez-vous?

Classroom ideasDiscutons!

“Être fort pour être utile”“Être et durer” “On avance toujours”“On est une équipe et on s’aide” “On commence ensemble, on finit ensemble”

“Parkour doesn’t take strength, parkour makes strength.”

Photo courtesy Parkour GenerationsPhoto courtesy Parkour Generations

Questions?

Alissa J. Bratz

French teacher, Milton High School, Milton WI

MHS Parkour Club Advisor/Coach

Founder & Director, Wisconsin Parkour LLC

A.D.A.P.T. Qualified Parkour Coach (Level 1)

Retired ballet dancer, Madison Ballet

Faculty, School of Madison Ballet

Contact:bratza@milton.k12.wi.uswisconsinpk@gmail.com (attn. Alissa)

PHOTO COURTESY TYSON CECKA, PARKOUR VISIONS

Avec mes remerciements!