MNPK, a local parkour group, is a network of people at all different levels of experience with parkour, a physical discipline that focuses on fluid, efficient movement while overcoming obstacles. It’s been called “urban gymnastics” and is compared to the discipline of free-running, but emphasizes efficiency, while free-running is all about the “flash” of the gymnastic and acrobatic aspects of movement.

MNPK meets every so often, but don’t have a regular schedule, so you’d have to check the calendar to find out when upcoming meetings are.

The aim of this urban sport is to get from point A to point B as efficiently and as quickly as possible. This may involve vaulting over objects, jumping across gaps between ledges, balancing on railings, and so forth. Because of the types of movements involved, parkour has been described as a form of “urban gymnastics.” Remember though, this is a strenuous, physically demanding, and precise discipline in which error can result in serious injury, so make sure that if you’re a beginner, you make that clear so you can start training from the beginning.

And I shouldn’t have to say it, but: Don’t try this at home. Unless you’re experienced, start training in a gym or other safe environment with experienced practitioners helping you along the way.

For more information: http://parkour.meetup.com/97/