Mental Techniques

It is a similar concept to the physical side of parkour. You come across mental obstacles at the same time you come across physical problems and need to find the solutions to these mental problems as well.

The best way to train your mind is therefore to repeatedly present it with problems to solve and new experiences (just like with the physical side). In practice this is achieved by simply practicing parkour. Your mind will adjust the way it thinks by itself.

If you repeatedly present your mind with situations it finds problematic you should learn to recognise the common factors that are preventing you from completing a range of actions. Once you find a solution to that common factor you can use the solution in other situations where you recognise the same problem.

Other people can suggest methods to get round your mental obstacles based on their own experiences but it is important to learn to recognise the problems yourself so you can apply the solutions without relying on someone else to evaluate your mental state. Since parkour emphasises self-reliance and independence this is essential. You wouldn�t ask someone to carry you over a physical obstacle. When suggesting ways for others to overcome mental obstacles it is therefore important to give the reasoning behind the suggestion and let them know what you think the problem might be. They need to be able to analyse the reasoning to use the solution effectively in the future and also connect the type of problem to the type of solution.

If you don't do this there is a greater risk of them trying to use the solution in the wrong situation.

Below are listed some of the mental techniques I have observed. As with physical techniques, you shouldn�t attempt to use a mental technique without fully understanding the risks. The risks involved here are at least as dangerous as with trying new physical techniques.

Examples :

• Continuation: Try the action as part of a sequence of actions, so that the brain doesn�t have to begin with the most difficult part. The brain can therefore decide to do the move before it has to actually carry it out, separating the fear of commitment to the move from the difficulty of actually completing the move.
  
  
• Exhaustion: One technique to overcome fear is to eliminate the thought process entirely, by tiring yourself out doing other things and then just stepping up to the task without thinking. This is a very dangerous technique to use and should only be considered where the risk isn�t high, because the tiredness means you are liable to be less precise with the technique. You need to consider the situation very carefully while still fresh before embarking on this method because you don�t have the evaluation process immediately before the action. In this respect it is a more extreme form of the continuation method.
  
  
• Relation: Try actions that are similar or that feature similar parts to the action you wish to do, just to familiarise the brain with some of the aspects that are involved beforehand.
  
  
• Familiarity: Become more familiar with the whole area, so the brain becomes accustomed to every minute detail of the area. Do unusual things, lean on things, lie down on things and hang from things. Anything, to make the area more familiar to the brain. The brain will then find it easier to interact with that area.

Article written by Feraess (Dave)