Gravity's a myth if you know parkour

Imagine racing through the cityscape, oblivious of the obstacles on your way. You know nothing can stop you as you give in to the adrenaline rush and blend into the environment and overcome all the roadblocks. With panache, you rush up stairs, jump over rooftops, and climb over high raised fences to reach your destination. And you do it all without an ounce of fear or a second thought. Seems like a scene straight out of the movies? Well, it’s actually a sport called parkour.

Parkour initially came into existence during the 1900s when a French Naval officer George Herbert got inspired by the way the natives of Martinique, a Caribbean Island native, moved around their landscape.

Upon returning home, Herbert inducted his learnings from the Caribbean natives into the physical training regime of the French military. From there on, the technique evolved into a sport and actor, choreographer David Belle, who is regarded as one of the founders of parkour, combined it with elements of martial arts and gymnastics.

Chandrashekhar, a BCom graduate who trains Sandalwood stars in parkour and gymnastics, tells how a few broken bones can inspire one to do better in the sport. “About five years ago, I watched District 13, a film starring David Belle. It had a very different type of gymnastics. In fact, it was more of running and rolling than actual gymnastics. When I looked it up on the internet, I learned that the movements were actually a technique called Parkour,” says Chandru, as he is popularly known.

Chandru began practicing the technique by watching videos and replicating the moves.

“It is all about elegance and it is not easy to master. Since my father Govind Swamy was a gymnast and used to work as a stunt master in the Kannada film industry many years ago, gymnastics is my blood. My father trained in gymnastics and it indeed helped me learn parkour easily,” he shares.

So how does one jump from one building to another without any fears or inhibitions?  “I had to read a lot before I actually began doing it. Parkour is a technique where we use minimum energy to run or move around efficiently. It helps in jumping great heights without injuring ligaments or bones,” Chandru says.

But, it is not something even Chandru, with his gymnastics expertise, could master overnight.

“I have had two broken ankles and other injuries. But now I am more careful. Even while training people, I use harnesses and ensure that they are safe,” he quips after displaying a few stunts.

Chandru, who has trained Kannada actors like Duniya Vijay and Chetan, aspires to become an actor himself someday. But for now, he has been recognised by the industry for his talent and has enough projects in his hands.

@deepthimr