Yom Kippur is approaching, and this day has its own unique character.It doesn't matter whether you observe, fast, eat, or train.
On Yom Kippur, your life is on pause.
The roads are empty, businesses are closed, and even I, who am not particularly religious, find myself filling the void with movies or books every Yom Kippur.
In 2020, I decided to share a list of books and movies that can help you get through Yom Kippur, or just any day that puts you in a reading or binging mood. They all relate to parkour in one way or another, so if if you simply want to delve deeper into the profound world of parkour this list is for you!
I've seen or read all of them myself, so if they make it to this list, it's a personal recommendation from me, you may call it my Parkour Books and Parkour Movies List :)
This list is divided into movies and books, some are free and some are paid. But they are all worth your time and money! To make it easier for you, you can click here to go directly to the list of movies.
This list updates yearly
If there is a book or movie that you think is missing from the list, feel free to write in the comments
Books:
Breaking the Jump - Julie Angel
One of the most important books released regarding parkour, and for one reason only. It does not focus on parkour itself but rather on the people who started it.
If you want to understand the personality and lives of the individuals who initiated parkour, such as David Belle, Sébastien Foucan, and other key figures, this book is a must-read! It is incredible in its honesty and opens your eyes to many aspects related to the development of parkour over the years.
Parkour Strength Training: Overcome Obstacles for Fun and Fitness - Ryan Ford
This book by Ryan Ford from the USA is an excellent resource for both practitioners and coaches. It includes a wealth of exercises specifically designed to improve strength for parkour.
The book is beautifully organized into movements, and the explanations are very straightforward. The exercises are bodyweight exercises that can be performed anywhere, and the images are clear enough that even those who do not understand English can benefit from the book.
Overcoming Gravity - Steven Low
If you want to improve your strength in gymnastic and bodyweight exercises like the front planche and handstands, this book is for you!
The book offers step-by-step programs for all the basic elements of gymnastics and bodyweight training, accompanied by cute illustrations that explain the principles of progression.
The approach in the book is based on gradual and systematic programs where the progression is linear, and the plans work excellently within this framework. Additionally, there are several good chapters on the overall training program, recovery, and other important topics.
The downside of the book for those who do not read English is that it contains a lot of text, and the words used are important. It is difficult to understand the principles of the programs solely from the illustrations, but hey, at least you can improve your English!
The Parkour Roadmap - Max Henry
One of the more recent books I had the chance to read (2017). This book was written by Max Henry, who is a tracer that I personally admire greatly for both his performances and his approach to training that I learned from our sessions together in England.
At first glance, this book may seem lacking in images and illustrations, but that's not the reality! The book contains a lot of links to excellent YouTube videos, and if you purchase the electronic version of the book, it's very easy to click on the links and watch real videos that explain well what is written and contribute to the parkour atmosphere of the book.
Definitely a recommended book!
Movies
A parkour video from Russia that is 26 minutes of pleasure. There isn't much talking, and that's good because I don't understand Russian ;)
The parkour in the video is powerful and strong, filmed in several stunning locations with very high-quality cinematography for its time. Highly recommended!
A short film that is simply a must-watch in my opinion!In 37 minutes, the film takes us on a journey inside the minds of some of the most renowned tracers in the world. The film illustrates very well the depth of the parkour world; you can see this not only in the movement styles of the tracers but also in their differing opinions on training, parkour, and life in general.
The film beautifully showcases how deep and diverse our world is.
This is the film that greatly influenced the entry of famous tracers from Britain into the world of parkour, and it is almost 20 years old! The film, released in 2003, showcases the pioneers of parkour from France on their journey through various locations in London, and it is still considered one of the most important films in the field of parkour!
The film has a sequel. Jump Britain
This is the only paid movie I am presenting on this list.I think it's one of the best movies that have come out recently; it has atmosphere, action, laughs, and it's enjoyable, but most importantly, it's a different kind of film.
It showcases a different generation of parkour, a different mindset, a different direction.
Personally, it draws me in like crazy!
A one-hour documentary film from the USA that tells the story of five tracers and their training over nine months.The film delves into the processes that go on in their minds and their emotions, and it is really nice for anyone who wants to understand the thought process of tracers during training. There are some parts in the film that are a bit too cheesy for my taste, but it is definitely worth watching.
Thats all for now!
What are your thoughts about the list? tell me in the comments!
Make sure you check the list yearly, some inaccessible items are removed and some new gems are added.
Comments