Gallery and site updates!

A big gallery this month - there are lots of women coming out to train and of course big thanks to the women organizing workshops, or who thought of whipping out a camera to snap some pics, or hey, if you're not in the gallery because you're just too awesome to be photographed (the level of awesomeness that blows up cameras!) - then sending lots of love your way and keep up the energy :D

www.girlparkour.com/page7.htm

Some of you might have known about the efforts to fund raise for the website over the last 2 years as well as the GPK Shop . The short answer is that (the long answer is here) at the very least, website hosting fees need to be paid and it only increases every year. So last week, you might have noticed that the site "disappeared" for a few days - simple answer is that I'm changing the web host, which is now cheaper but it means that there will be an adjustment period over the next few weeks, when links/pages/images might not work...well, we'll see :p So please bear with us and check back in a few days :) The GPK shop is still there, because even though I hate cliched pink "parkourparkour" tshirts, I still love my new GPK tshirt :D

At the end of the day, we want to make sure that there's enough GPK for all the amazing women who want to contribute. The website is shaped by your photos, videos, thoughts, articles, forum posts... I can't say it enough that the website only exists because of YOU, so you're welcome anytime to our table, pull up a chair and make yourself feel at home and there will always be space for you.

Have a good month :)

Epic 6 day parkour instructor training with the Australian Parkour Association

6 men, 3 women, from all over Australia and beyond, living and training in 1 warehouse, for 6 days, jumping and climbing around the city of Melbourne and putting their minds and bodies in the hands of the APA Melbourne parkour crew : what happens next? LOTS. It's a fun ride and I can't give anything away, you're just going to have to read it - enjoy!
www.girlparkour.com/page4.htm

Feature article and video on Bay Area Parkour (San Francisco, USA)

Jodie Rodriguez, Marisa Lee, Albert Kong, Justin Tang and Jason Wong were interviewed by Hyphen Magazine and you should watch this video for these reasons: the video is professionally edited and there's all the things we love: fluid movement, honest commentary and asian people running around and jumping on stuff. (ps: The magazine's theme is the exploration of the Asian American cultural landscape). Enjoy!

http://www.hyphenmagazine.com/magazine/issue-22-throwback/concrete-playground

San Francisco Bay Area groups:

Bay Area Parkour http://baparkour.com

San Francisco Parkour http://sfparkour.com

Parkour Connections http://parkourconnections.com/

Berkeley Parkour Collective http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2208600816

Videos 2º Encontro Feminino de Parkour Brasil

Some videos of the Brazil meeting, please enjoy! :)

2nd Meeting of Female Parkour 2011 - São Paulo - Brazil

Part 1 

Sometimes it's hard to know how many girls in Brazil practise parkour. Organizing a meeting was a great 

reason to know the women, exchange ideas and experiences, and shoot some pictures for those who wanted to make a video in the future ... 

For some girls the journey was long, but it was definitely worth it. It was beautiful to watch doing Raissa do a difficult a cat leap. It was great to see new girls interested in Parkour, struggling and learning more and more. Who does not remember Tati doing her first climb up? Our Angelica (Chile's most Brazilian) and Lili, who  destroyed the obstacles in her path, with beauty and parkour, showing grit and energy. Nina carried out the physical training, brainstorming ideas with everyone there who were participating. Let us not forget the great presence of those on the day. Several boys also appeared at the meeting to give support, leading to hilarious moments when they put on women's dresses! JJ, as always, was around to help the beginners to understand the meaning of parkour and to give help on basic movements. The atmosphere was peaceful. The participants were scratched and sweaty, but everyone was filled with lots of good memories of the women's meeting. 

By: Tatiana Maria (adapted by JJ)

Part 2 

A woman doing Parkour is synonymous with courage, persistence, courage, patience, caution, joy, mental and physical growth, docility and brutality at the same time. And that's what we found on 2nd St. in EFPK  Paul, on 15 and 16 January 2011. Some were women beginners, others were more experienced, but each of us seeking the same goal, that of living one more day of parkour, the sport which is already part of our lives, transforming us and benefiting our own evolution which is undeniable that it will help society as well. Women who practise are in their own way beautiful. The participation of women is rapidly gaining momentum among men, which has encouraged more women to take part! And the personalities of the women practitioners enriched this meeting. Stretches, warmups, guided drills, free assisted practice and new training spots also helped to enrich this meeting which was also attended by many men who joined in to train and play together! As time passes, we hope that the number of girls practising this discipline continues to grow - Parkour is not easy, but it is very enjoyable! 

By: Julie Bianchi (adapted by JJ)

2º Encontro Feminino de Parkour 2011 – São Paulo – Brasil / parte 1

Bem, às vezes é difícil saber quantas são as meninas que praticam Parkour no Brasil. Fazer um encontro foi uma ótima razão para conhecê-las, trocar idéias e experiências, além de filmar algumas imagens para quem sabe um futuro vídeo...

Para algumas meninas a viagem foi longa. Mas, com certeza valeu a pena. Foi lindo assistir a Raissa de Curitiba fazendo um cat leap difícil. Foi muito bom ver novas meninas interessadas em Parkour, esforçando-se e aprendendo mais e mais. Quem não se lembra da Tati de Curitiba fazendo seu primeiro climb up?

Nossa Angélica (a chilena mais brasileira) e a Lili arrasaram com seu Parkour e sua beleza, mostrando garra e energia. A Nina puxou o treino físico, juntando idéias das que estavam ali participando. Não podemos esquecer-nos das ilustres presenças. Os rapazes também compareceram. Estes levaram irreverência (vestidos de meninas) e apoio. JJ como sempre ajudando as iniciantes a entender o que é Parkour e os primeiros movimentos. Tudo ocorreu na paz. Alguns arranhões, muito suor e milhares de lembranças boas ficaram no pensamento daquelas que tiveram a honra de fazer mais um encontro feminino. 

Por: Tatiana Maria (adaptado por JJ).

2º Encontro Feminino de Parkour 2011 – São Paulo – Brasil / parte 2

Mulher praticando Parkour é sinônimo de coragem, persistência, ânimo, paciência, precaução, alegria, crescimento mental e físico, docilidade e brutalidade ao mesmo tempo. E foi isso que encontramos no 2º EFPK em São Paulo, nos dias 15 e 16 de Janeiro de 2011. Mulheres iniciantes na prática, outras já muito mais experientes, mas cada uma delas buscando o mesmo ideal, o de viver mais um dia de Parkour, modalidade essa que já faz parte de nossas vidas, nos transformando em pessoas e civis melhores, para nossa própria evolução e quem pode negar que para a ajuda da sociedade também? As mulheres têm aderido à prática de um modo muito lindo. Elas vem conquistando espaço entre os homens que agora vem incentivando ainda mais a prática feminina! E essas características encheram o encontro feminino.  Alongamentos, aquecimentos, treinos guiados, treinos livres, ajudas masculinas, lugares novos de treinos também ajudaram para enriquecer ainda mais esse encontro que teve a presença de muitos homens também que se uniram pra treinar e brincar juntos! A cada dia que passa esperamos ainda mais que cresça esse número de meninas praticantes nesta modalidade que não é fácil, mas é muito prazerosa!

Por: Juliana Bianchi (adaptado por JJ).

Women's Parkour Workshop, Melbourne (Fitzroy) Australia - Saturday, 12th Feb

I am starting regular APA womens Parkour classes in Fitzroy, beginning with a 1.5hr Workshop!

       Saturday 12th Feb 2011

       11am - 12.30pm

       241 Smith St Fitzroy

       $25 for the workshop

       Secure your spot early to avoid missing out!

       Bookings: beeboparts(at)gmail(dot)com, 0450 922 883

I am a founding member of the APA http://www.parkour.asn.au/ and have been teaching workshops and classes since 1999 when i started the first Capoeira classes in Canberra. I have taught womens only Capoeira classes at Ausdance and Acrobatics at Dance World starting back in 1999!

Classes will be held at my girlfriends dance studio in Fitzroy, Beeboparts.

The workshop is open to all women 16+ and no prior Parkour or physical training is required, just comfortable clothes and lots of smiles:)

For further inquiries please give me a call on the number below or contact my girlfriend Etoile on the number listed above.

A discount will be given for APA members.

Hope to see you all there;)

- Harley

0410 148 643

http://www.australian.parkour.asn.au/index.php?topic=5754.0