Class Approach

The practice of L'art du Déplacement (Parkour) taps into a forgotten instinct deep within all of us.

A long time ago, our hunter-gatherer ancestors didn't partake in weekly exercise classes. Instead, their daily survival required them to move diversely and frequently - hunt and track animals which in itself include climbing, chasing, walking long distances, expertise in weapons handling and carrying carcasses across a terrain that is usually not flat and predictable (like urban terrains), gathering food such as plants, fruits and tuber, fishing, carving weapons, preparing animals for consumption, building houses, migrating in different seasons etc.

For something we pay to do once or twice a week for an hour and often in an unnecessarily fixed manner (move your arm this way, put your leg that way, keep your back straight, open your chest, straighten your knee etc.), our ancestors in comparison solved a multitude of physical problems everyday and throughout the day, due to necessity. Instead of thinking of which muscle groups they should activate, their focus lies singularly in 'getting that fruit, spearing that fish, carrying that home, climbing that tree, following that animal etc.'

Notice the difference - while modern fitness obsesses on having us adjust our own bodies (feeling for muscle groups and attaining the 'perfect' form), our ancestors focused on getting the job done and their bodies adjusted to achieve those goals automatically. There is strong evidence that hunter-gatherers enjoyed excellent health and little diseases.

In our classes, we try to follow a similar approach - 'Can I climb that? What if I jump down here? Can I go through that hole? I need to dodge that'. In that process, fitness becomes simpler and our bodies move more easily, lubricating those joints and circulating blood overall for good health.

Two of the conditions Mihály Csikszentmihályi outlines to reach a state of flow are, 'clear goals' and 'immediate feedback'. But the fear of experiencing Life through the Natural Desires of our own bodies makes us hesitate with never-ending 'preparation for perfection', such that we drown in perceived incompetency and become viscerally severed.

'Think less, feel more' would be a suitable motto for our classes.

We also value individual adaptation, doing what we can at a pace we each deem comfortable for ourselves. Through time, you would become more acquainted with your own body's behaviour, characteristics and habits, just like getting to know a new friend. Uplifting a sense of community, we would also tackle challenges together and support each other with our physical strength and verbal cheers.

It is only when there is an inner sense of aliveness that exercising, which in essence is simply movement, becomes truly enjoyable. Every fiber of our body will then bring itself to participate in the physicalness of Life itself.

Good health is more than just a set of exercises. It is a combination of knowing (through feeling) and giving our bodies what they need, constantly playing and engaging in meaningful challenges, feeling supported by others, learning new things and observing your own progress over time.

The class title is 'Phoenix' which represents a reborn life, like a phoenix rising from its ashes. It is for ages 50 to 70 (+/-), suited for the more adventurous personality, the type that refuses to resign to the fate of ageing.

Class consists of movements such as crawling, climbing, jumping, running, rolling and vaulting. There is a heavy emphasis on strengthening our bodies to build up a fundamental fitness capacity which is crucial for good health, fall safety and advancement in skill. Other times, we play and explore the environment to our hearts' content.