Ninja Academy: Parkour playground in Manila

Have you heard of the movies Yamakasi (2001) and District 13 (2005)? Well, they play a big part on the interest that I have on this kind of activity. It’s just simply amazing how the characters in the movies smoothly get from point to point with a little effort; easily escaping from a pursuant and gracefully overcoming obstacles.

I find Parkour very interesting. It may seem easily done but in reality, it is very challenging to perform. For those who have not heard of this activity, Parkour is a training discipline using movement that developed from military obstacle course training. It is non-competitive; therefore, it is not a sport. The aim is to get from A to B in the most efficient way possible, in short, less energy consumed. It includes running, climbing, swinging, vaulting, jumping, rolling, quadrupedal movement, and the like.

I was excited to have found groups of people interested on the same activity I am into. I have been a follower of PHILIPPINE PARKOUR & FREE-RUNNING ASSOCIATION (PPFA) group on Facebook when they introduced the NINJA ACADEMY-PH group initiated by the pioneers of PPFA who have been training Parkour since 2008. Mastering the challenging stunts of Parkour demands a great training ground. It's why I was real excited to hear about their new project; building a special indoor training ground for Parkour resembling the outdoor environment for obstacle training.

It was an honor to be one of the selected enthusiasts who have been invited on the soft opening of Ninja Academy. I was overwhelmed by my excitement in the place, thus I missed taking photos on my own. Credits to the co-bloggers who were also invited to the gym and took great photos of the place. 

Ninja Academy co-exist with the currently being constructed Pasig Club Gymnastica for various sports training and activities. 

With the great obstacles in place, we were able to try and experience Parkour stunts. I really think this is a great idea. Parkour practitioners now have a dedicated gym to train, less the hassle of finding a nice place to practice. 

The training is progressive. You start from a simple obstacle and then on to breath-taking stunts. With continuous practice, you will eventually master the stunts and gain confidence in taking it to the next level.

I LOVE PARKOUR! I find it very beneficial, especially for someone like me who's addicted to adrenaline rush. It is not only fun, but you get to learn a lot of skills in the training. It improves agility. It is a great alternative workout for muscle strength and conditioning while having fun. I don’t have to do rigid workouts to get fit and function efficiently in the military training. I only have to study how to overcome the obstacles in a quick manner and have fun. JUST EXACTLY WHAT I WANT.

I personally encourage everyone to try this activity. Parkour is a fun way of getting physically and mentally fit while simply just PLAYING AROUND. 

Make sure to read and watch the interview and scene coverage conducted by INQUIRER. I was one of the participants who were interviewed. Check it out!

http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/153046/parkour-getting-fit-with-ninja-moves-inspired-body-movements

You may also check out more detailed blog entries about the Ninja Academy facilities and Parkour experience by co-bloggers: 

http://johnkenjiyoon.blogspot.com/2014/03/ninja-academy-metro-manilas-first.html

http://patrickgarciamd.com/index.php/movement/6-ninja-academy-preview

We are inviting everyone on the grand opening of Ninja Academy on March 15, 2014. Online registration is required. Visit http://ninjaacademy.ph/ for more details.

"There is no failure, except in no longer trying." - Elbert Hubbard

"The greatest failure is the failure to try." - William Ward

Two Roads Diverged

"Congratulations!" This customarily excites most of the population. On the contrary, I suffered days and nights of headache due to confusion (just exaggerating). In a short span of time, I've gotta make a conclusion. Whether to remain, or to break. 

My mind has been inhabited of several things recently. I've been absorbed into streams of thoughts for significant aspects that I've been missing. I am torn between comfort and dynamic; practical and provocative; between what is readily available and something that broadens practical knowledge - where I believe I will excel - but perilously risky. It wouldn't take a genius to identify the superlative choice. 

Facts be gathered. Pro's & Con's be intently examined. How I take side is what makes it. Regard. Contemplate. Foresee. Which. Where to go. Decisions. 

EAGLE FEATHER

I worked hard for it, fought for it, which even led me to unimaginable measures to get it. Guilt and remorse were some of my companions. I've done things I couldn't believe I was capable of doing just to get what I wanted. FREEDOM.

There were times when I ask myself, "Why am I still here? I want out." But no. Not yet. Because I haven't yet learned what I needed to learn. Or more like, I was still at the peak of the moment. Feeling and embracing it with an open heart. And I'm glad I was chosen by fate to experience it. I am glad I had to go through all that distress yet addicting experiences. For if not for that, I wouldn't realize how damn strong I am to pull back with high-level of awareness. It was both ecstatic and (a LOT) troublesome adventure with you. I wouldn't exchange that for anything less than extraordinary. It was, on the contrary, simply amazing. 

2013. It was when I earned a total freedom from something that belongs to the past. It's why you can't imagine how tearfully happy (Oh, happy is the understatement of the year) I was when I finally acquired it. Then on, I tried doing everything that interests me to make up for the time lost. Or perhaps, I was trying to seek the same stimulating situations which I've gotten myself used to. 

On a somber note, I must have shut my doors so tight, fearing I'd lost what I worked hard for, again. Obviously, I might have hurt people unintentionally for the sake of entertaining myself. Experimenting around. Trying to get the real deal out of people without realizing I might have gone overboard for wanting anything challenging to satisfy my flying expectation. And I guess, this is the best time for, ahm, er, can't believe I'm saying this, apologies? LOL! But seriously, if there's one thing I regret, it was being insensitive enough for people who genuinely cared about me. 

Year of the Snake was a liberating year. Couldn't ask for more. 

As for me, 2013 is to FREEDOM. 

QUICK ESCAPE TO TAGAYTAY

JANUARY 1, 2014
Year of the Horse



The original plan was to fly to Baguio City, ALONE. Since I haven't got the liberty to do so, I traveled to Tagaytay instead.

I am no familiar on how to get there by commuting, so I got lost somewhere in Pasay for a while wandering around at 7 PM, January 1, 2014. Then I ran to a random bus holding a sign board "Nasugbu". I was lucky enough to ride the right one. It just departed from the terminal so all seats were occupied. I took the conductor's seat at the very front and said, "Perfect. Just as I imagined". 

It was a smooth bus ride to Tagaytay with favorite music on my ears. The main purpose of the whole trip. I had the time that I needed solely for myself. Time to reflect. No distractions. Just me and my thoughts.

Overlooking. Cold night breeze. Strangers. Music. Good books. Just my ideal way to plan 2014.

I went back to Manila the same night and arrived at 1 AM feeling revived. :-)