Principle 3: Share Access with the Public

Are you aware of the people moving in and out of the space you’re training in? Shared space does not have to be contested or fought over. Everyone has a part to play in maneuvering around each other – nobody can be passive. The last thing you’d want to do is to jump into or interrupt another person’s space. Be courteous to others that may be using the space. Yield to those, runners, bikers, dog walkers, etc, passing through. Here’s a quick list of things to keep in mind:

• Train in spaces where pathways make sense and are predictable.
  
• Practice during off-times by avoiding peak hours.

   

• Keep open ears. Don’t silence or remove yourself from the environment with loud earbuds.

Have you ever been kicked off a great training spot by security? You’ve probably had to plead for the one-last-attempt-and-I’ll-leave. Picking the right training areas is not always as simple as it sounds. Often we may come across private or hard-to-access real estate that’s prime for challenges. Other times we feel bored because the level of obstacles, difficulty, inspiration, or variety is not enough. Scouting and hunting for the right hotspot is a great parkour skill that roots a deep local connection to your neighborhood. Although public spaces may offer a wide range of obstacles, they also offer additional resources to help supplement your training. What’s the closest restroom? Market to grab an extra bottle of water? Best sandwich or coffee shop nearby? As you consider the right spaces to train in, know what your physical limits are, where you’d go in the case of an emergency, and what resources will be (and not) available. 

Empathy requires listening, openness, and understanding. It’s our ability to step into someone else’s shoes, be aware of their feelings, and understand their needs. When someone doesn’t understand why and what you’re practicing, see it as an opportunity to share in their feelings and allow yourself to amplify a connection. Parkour is new. People are still learning about what parkour is and how it’s practice. There are misconceptions about parkour and outdoor training. And those can only change when you take the time and effort to put others ahead of yourself. Use the same patience it takes to find the right training spot or drilling repetitions as you do when listening to others or their questions or in addressing their concerns.