Competition and Judgement.

Last year in November I started training with Parkour Singapore and have met many different practitioners. One thing that catches my attention is how often younger practitioners preach certain "parkour philosophies" that seem beyond their understanding. A lot of the time I hear "parkour is not about competition", "it's not a sport, it's a way of life", "it's not about who's best", "everyone progresses differently", "parkour isn't for everyone", "you have to find your way", "it's not about jumping off high places" etc....

As if blindly, so many quote such deep and grand philosophical ideas from the founders of Parkour and the international pioneers. If you were to ignore the words and look at the actions of individual, it becomes apparent how few mean what they say. It starts to seem like a charade of deep-sounding phrases to cover up their own insecurities with their own training and their fears.

Below are my thoughts regarding competition and judgement of other practitioners that I have given much thought to.

Competition

Often it is said that Parkour is non-competitive, but we must remember that the discipline was born out of competition and challenge. Parkour is non-competitive only because there is no "best" traceur as it's all about being the best you can be, and only we know for ourselves.

However, I'd like to discuss how often when we can be confused by our innate feelings of competition and insecurity when we meet better practitioners. This sense of our own inability can take some fun out of Parkour and be discouraging.

Before I continue, I'd like you to read Dilution by Blane, http://blane-parkour.blogspot.com/2007/04/dilution.html

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If someone new comes along, and he's better than you at something, what does that mean? When someone does something you cannot do, instinctively a challenge is formed, and if it is bigger than your capacity for challenge, you'd feel a sense of defeat. This is a problem facing many practitioners. More so than a huge jump or a high wall, fellow practitioners can be bigger obstacles to yourself as they affect your self-confidence and belief.

In "Dilution", Blane says that we should not be pressured by others to do the same jumps or moves and instead progress with our body's capacity. This is very true. But at the same time, we must realise that this mindset can be a trap to our own progress. Rushing progress is bad, slowing progress for fear of "rushing" is equally detrimental.

More specifically, it is important to test ourselves against others constantly in a spirit of friendly but serious competition. This does not mean pushing yourself to do things you're not ready for. Instead, observe and see what others are doing right, and see if you can replicate that in yourself, whether through mental or physical training. Analyse and be critical of everything, and if you realise that someone has achieved something beyond you, do not be afraid to rise up to the challenge and learn from him.

An account.

I remember the days learning my symmetrical climbup on walls - I was convinced I couldn't do it because I was fat and overweight. It took a lot of encouragement from my friends who've got it to get me to try the movement properly and I somehow got it in a few days. Thinking back, had my training partners not been so encouraging, I would have delayed that progress simply because I had given up on myself psychologically by acknowledging the fact that I was a "lesser traceur" and I still had to "progress slowly". If I had picked up a positive attitude and picked up the challenge with a determined mindset everyday, I wouldn't need to be coaxed into trying.

Judgement

It is only through comparing with others and judging their every movement and lifestyle that you can see what they have done right and wrong. You then can take from them what you can apply to yourself.

In judging obstacles, many distractions will cloud your head such as "oh it's raining" "it's rounded at the top" "the rail is really big" "the paint is falling off" and such thoughts are often referred to as "excuses".

Similarly, when judging other practitioners, such distractions will come in the form of "oh he's lighter" "he's taller" "he has more upper body strength" "he has gymnastics background" "he practiced in gyms with soft mats" "he has better genes" "I'm asian so I'm weaker by genetics" etc... and we can see them as "excuses" too. If you listen to these excuses, you'd convince yourself that you are in fact disadvantaged and should limit your own training.

Everyone starts somewhere, but that is no reason for you give yourself an easier time. Genetics aside, better traceurs are better because they practice more and train harder in the life they had before you.

To sum it up:

To compete in Parkour does not prove anything, but when faced with everyday challenges and competition, it is tempting to say "it's not about competition" and live in a bubble. We cannot ignore the fact that we learn best when we test ourselves against each other. It is risky, but so is everything in life and Parkour. Know yourself and do your best each time you go out to train, do not rule out possibilities simply because you feel that "some people are just better for now".

In judgement, be honest with yourself. If someone is better, ask yourself honestly why he is, is something wrong with your training? He might be an arrogant asshole, but you can still learn from his training. Focus on relevant training and you will get relevant results.