FreeRunning
is the art of expressing yourself in the environment without limitation.(Source: http://www.foucan.com)
FreeRunning is a discipline in which practitioners---known as FreeRunners---use the city and rural landscape to perform movements through its structures. It incorporates efficient movements from parkour, adds aesthetic vaults and other acrobatics, such as tricking and street stunts, creating an athletic and aesthetically pleasing way of moving. It is commonly practiced at gymnasiums and in urban areas that are cluttered with obstacles. (Source: Wikipedia.com)
The term freerunning was coined during the filming of Jump London, as a way to present parkour to the English-speaking world. However, free running and parkour are separate, distinct concepts — a distinction which is often missed due to the aesthetic similarities. Parkour as a discipline emphasizes efficiency, whilst free running embodies complete freedom of movement — and includes many acrobatic maneuvers. Although the two are often physically similar, the mindsets of each are vastly different. The founder Sébastien Foucan defines free running as a discipline to self development, following your own way.
Follow your own way FreeRunning has developed over a number of years with many influences including the ways of the indigenous tribes, natural child's play, martial arts, and personal expression.
The founder of FreeRunning, Sebastien Foucan, drew his inspiration from the processes of Bruce Lee in his own practices. He felt there was another dimension to his way, as he and his childhood friends practiced Parkour in their hometown. After suffering a serious injury as a firefighter in Paris as part of his military service, he began reinforcing his determination to encourage people to take care of themselves, respect their body, mind and environment.
Paving the way of FreeRunning's concept and belief of "Follow your way" - encouraging freedom of expression. Sebastien Foucan's aim was to promote positive feeling, show his art, explain the philosophies behind the movement, and more importantly give inspiration to others.
FreeRunning is more than training, it's relearning what we've lost. In practicing FreeRunning, it is very important that as a practitioner, one must recognize one's own ability and keen judgement to protect one's self against risks and dangers. Practice is important. the philosophy being is to unify mind, body, and spirit---which can be compared to moving like an animal or being fluid like water.
"Improving is more important than being the best." -Sebastien Foucan
