7 Virtues of Parkour
Parkour has a strong philosophical core with its own values but, much like the "unwritten" codes of surfing, there is no official codification.
Similar to the five tenets of Taekwondo or the eight principles of Bushido, I'd say there are seven virtues of Parkour - because people like lists.
#1 - Safety
Parkour can be dangerous but, if you train properly, parkour actually teaches you how to do dangerous things safely.
The first rule is survive. Be careful and be aware of your surroundings.
#2 - Strength
It helps to be in good shape before doing parkour but you start training on the job, so to speak.
Parkour provides both brute strength and mental fortitude, which comes in handy. As they say "be strong to be useful."
#3 - Community
Perhaps this lesson is taught most harshly on the rooftops. Avoid damaging private property and respect the public. In turn, the parkour community will also be treated with respect.
All sports have a culture but parkour's culture knows no bounds and makes it easy to make friends. Children and dogs will literally start chasing you.
#4 - Courage
Parkour is great at providing challenges that are slightly out of ones comfort zone.
Jumps come in many different sizes, so it's easy to find the perfect challenge to confront your fears with.
#5 - Freedom
Parkour teaches you how to move freely around obstacles but it also teaches you how to free yourself from comparison.
It's important to free yourself from styles to express yourself freely.
Free your mind.
#6 - Gratitude
Parkour fosters an optimistic mindset where you can appreciate seemingly mundane things around you.
If you use your imagination, brutalist architecture can be really fun.
#7 - Humility
Parkour is harder than it looks and learning it requires a comfort with looking silly.
For those who are really good at it, it can be dangerous to show off.
Just have fun.
