And all the world's a play structure

Le Parkour is what they call it in France. It seems to have a lot to do with risking your life for no discernible reason. Hence, the "extreme" classification, sport-wise.

The Le Parkour website describes the sport as an art: "...a new way of apprehending the environment which surrounds us, with, for only things, the human body" (The website is in French, the translation is courtesy of someone who is probably not an English speaker. I'm thinking that the gist is that no equipment is used. But, I must go on.) "To be able to face all the obstacles which are presented, whether they are in natural environment, or on various structures, all that things in the research for a movement combining aesthetics and control."

The fun part is in the opportunity for creativity as well as mastery. Viewing the city as a gymnasium is as reality transforming as any sport or game. Knowing that your life depends on your performance is a great incentive for skill-building. The fact that Le Parkour is viewed as much an art as it is a sport says a lot for both.

Thanks for this link go to Christopher Noxon.