On a stormy afternoon in October, a small group gathered in a brick-paved courtyard on the University of California Berkeley campus to participate in CalPK's Women's Workshop. The group included three instructors, about half a dozen students and several members of the
CalPK and
SFParkour communities coming out to lend moral support.
Despite the rainy weather, spirits were high and soon, even the novices were rearing to go. We began with introductions to get a feel of what kind of skill sets were being brought to the event. A lot of rock climbers, some martial artists, and as well as a few people with no real athletic background.
After a warm up consisting of dynamic stretching and an introduction to quadrupedal movement, we took a short jog to our next training spot. At this first station we went over some basic methods for scaling and descending from ledges. Drilling all the steps of the progressions was hard work, but everyone tackled the challenge admirably.
Taking a break from the heavy movements of the last station, we went over precision basics: arm swing, knees up, head over toes, etc. We did a quick team building exercise where, as a group, we would try to precision to a ledge and hold it for 5 seconds. If anyone stumbled, we would all do it together again. It was a simple drill, but ended up being pretty fun.
Then it was time to put some of our new found skills to use. We moved to a nearby area that had concrete benches and planters clustered together with a mix of heights ranging from shoulder to knee height. The instructors mapped out a route and demonstrated some possible ways to navigate the obstacles, then it was up to you to find your way.
As we went around the circuit, we would pause to give each lap a theme. The first lap was "getting to know the landscape," taking it slow and familiarizing ourselves. Next was "ease," finding the most comfortable way to move through the course. After that was "confidence," being masters of our environment. Finally came "exploration," playing with what was possible and taking time to have fun.
After a quick water break we headed over an area with a lot of rails. By this time it had begun raining heavily and we quickly scratched the rail-walking portion of the workshop. Instead we went over underbars and set up a flow exercise. The exercise consisted of a relay race where one team began at the bottom of the course and the other at the top. One person from one team would make their way up to the second team, navigating three rails sets along the way. They would then tag someone on the other team who would make their way back along the same course. When everyone in the teams ended up where they had started, the relay was done.
We retreated from the rain to do a final conditioning set. Then as we cooled down and stretched out, one of the instructors read two specially prepared letters from Luci Steel of Team Tempest and Brandee Laird of Parkour Visions. Their inspirational words were a perfect way to complete our workshop:
"I grew up wanting to be like Superwoman; what I've learned is that we can all be Superwomen, we just have to find our own unique path of flight!" - Luci
"It's kind of like an imaginary elixir for vision, taken with eighty ounces of sweat once a whenever for as long as you choose. Side effects may include irresistible urges to climb things, a heightened sense of alternative exits, and uncanny abilities to navigate anything." - Brandee
