Hey I've decided I don't want this blog to go to waste so I'm going to be spending more tie on here as well as on EM's blog. Things have been going really well lately, and I've been working on sponsorships with a couple different companies and have been working to get photos together for a sort of portfolio type of thing. Think it'd be pretty cool!
Also, I will be trying to put at videos, small and large, crazy and more laid-back, as often as I can. I've really realized how fun it is to film and look back at youself in whatever footage you've captured! Well, keep an eye out because things will begin to pop up all over the place as I work to get things together. Happy training!
Peace, Love, & Movement.
-Nick Maurer
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Long time no post! I've moved to EM!
Hey everyone, I'm sure by now many of you havn't checked here in a while due to the fact that I havn't posted in nearly a year =o ....welll, to catch everyone up, I have been doing absolutely amazing! I've progressed a TON since my last post, and myself as well as my movement has changed and evolved as well.
I'm a founder of a new group/organization known as 'Elemental Movement', and that blog is where you can find me from now on! I still may post here every now and then though, so check back when you can! Happy training.
Peace, Love, & Movement.
-Nick Maurer
I'm a founder of a new group/organization known as 'Elemental Movement', and that blog is where you can find me from now on! I still may post here every now and then though, so check back when you can! Happy training.
Peace, Love, & Movement.
-Nick Maurer
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Hard Times-Staying Motivated
The snow is melting away at last, and some warm weather is finally moving in. Although it's still February, it's certainly nice to get a glimpse of the weather that's moving in. I have many goals, many new ideas, and many plans ahead of me this new year, but I am already having a tough time.
My right ankle has mostly healed after a torn ligament put me out for about 2 months, and is finally just about ready for action. However, with my luck, that has to be put on hold. Even though I have not done any type of impact training besides a few toe hops, I woke up two days ago with terrible pain in my left ankle, the one i did not injure. I have no thought about the cause, and my schools' trainer doesn't have an answer, but says my flat feet probably play a role, since I spend my time at home barefoot, and my time out of the house wearing highly-supported shoes with orthodics. It's really been making me feel down lately, causing me to worry about my future training, and worry about losing my ability to practice all together. As extreme as that is, I couldn't help but think about it.
My first year in parkour, my flat feet had played a huge role in my getting shin splints. I didn't know anything about them, other than they were an overuse injury and that they hurt like hell. I was so in to my training though, that I couldn't give myself more than a few days to rest. "Ah, it's been 4 days and my shins feel a little better! this must mean I'm all healed up! Time for more Parkour!" Later that day, I walk into the house limping in pain, questioning what I did wrong, and if these shin splints would ever go away.
I took the time to look up every bit of information I possibly could find about the injury, talked to my doctor, asked my friends from the track team, and learned exactly how to deal with them. I leanred to recondition my legs and make them stronger and more resilient than ever, and as of this day, I havn't had shin splints once in over 2 and a half years. I learned that the body you have is the body you will always have, and that nobody is superman. Injuries are a part of life, and are actually great learning tools, although painful ones at times.
So, even though I have been feeling a bit down on myself, I will continue to stay motivated by keeping my mind positive and focused on my goals. I will learn everything I can about the injuries I have, using them as learning tools, so that later on I can handle them, and teach others how to do the same.
-Nick
My right ankle has mostly healed after a torn ligament put me out for about 2 months, and is finally just about ready for action. However, with my luck, that has to be put on hold. Even though I have not done any type of impact training besides a few toe hops, I woke up two days ago with terrible pain in my left ankle, the one i did not injure. I have no thought about the cause, and my schools' trainer doesn't have an answer, but says my flat feet probably play a role, since I spend my time at home barefoot, and my time out of the house wearing highly-supported shoes with orthodics. It's really been making me feel down lately, causing me to worry about my future training, and worry about losing my ability to practice all together. As extreme as that is, I couldn't help but think about it.
My first year in parkour, my flat feet had played a huge role in my getting shin splints. I didn't know anything about them, other than they were an overuse injury and that they hurt like hell. I was so in to my training though, that I couldn't give myself more than a few days to rest. "Ah, it's been 4 days and my shins feel a little better! this must mean I'm all healed up! Time for more Parkour!" Later that day, I walk into the house limping in pain, questioning what I did wrong, and if these shin splints would ever go away.
I took the time to look up every bit of information I possibly could find about the injury, talked to my doctor, asked my friends from the track team, and learned exactly how to deal with them. I leanred to recondition my legs and make them stronger and more resilient than ever, and as of this day, I havn't had shin splints once in over 2 and a half years. I learned that the body you have is the body you will always have, and that nobody is superman. Injuries are a part of life, and are actually great learning tools, although painful ones at times.
So, even though I have been feeling a bit down on myself, I will continue to stay motivated by keeping my mind positive and focused on my goals. I will learn everything I can about the injuries I have, using them as learning tools, so that later on I can handle them, and teach others how to do the same.
-Nick
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Reconditioning
Hey guys, this is only going to be a quick update, havn't posted in a couple weeks, so just kinda letting ya know where I'm at.
Found out that my ankle sprain was a partial tear in my ligament, and will need another month or so of rest and reconditioning until it is back to 100%....but there's definitely no rush there at all. Have to say, it is a bit frustrating not being able to work on any type of jumping or vaulting =/ Guess I'm lucky that we are getting our loads of snow now heh.
My knees have been doing very very well, a little bit of slight pain or some discomfort here and there, but never anything debilitating anymore. I'm now in the proccess of reconditiong them, and will slowly progress into more impact-type training over the next 1-2 months.
As of right now, my reconditioning scedule is pretty much as follows:
Monday: Stationary cycle after school 25-30 minutes, varying speed/intensity-Leg Press 2 footed, Leg Press single footed-Leg Extensions-Hamstring curls-20 minute stretch/cool down
Wednesday: Stat. Cycle 20-25 minutes, varying speed/intensity-Bodyweight Squats and Squat Holds-Side Lunge Holds-Pistols both sides-20 minute stretch/cool down
Friday: Stat. Cycle 25-30 mins, varying speed/intensity-Walking Squats-Forwards/Backwards Lunges-Leg Extensions-Hamstring Curls Single Leg-20 minute stretch/cool down
On top of this, of course, I do plenty of core and upper body conditioning, but I just felt I needed to lay this out for myself and also in case anyone else wanted to check it out. Also, exercises may vary according to how my legs are feeling that day...but that's the basic layout! Saturday and Sunday I usually rest my legs and experiment with tons of core and upper body conditioning, and as of right now I can't really take any days for technical training becuase of my ankle =/
This workout regime has really helped strengthen my legs a lot, and helped to reduce the pain in my knees by a ton. Can't wait to be back at 100% xD
-Nick
Found out that my ankle sprain was a partial tear in my ligament, and will need another month or so of rest and reconditioning until it is back to 100%....but there's definitely no rush there at all. Have to say, it is a bit frustrating not being able to work on any type of jumping or vaulting =/ Guess I'm lucky that we are getting our loads of snow now heh.
My knees have been doing very very well, a little bit of slight pain or some discomfort here and there, but never anything debilitating anymore. I'm now in the proccess of reconditiong them, and will slowly progress into more impact-type training over the next 1-2 months.
As of right now, my reconditioning scedule is pretty much as follows:
Monday: Stationary cycle after school 25-30 minutes, varying speed/intensity-Leg Press 2 footed, Leg Press single footed-Leg Extensions-Hamstring curls-20 minute stretch/cool down
Wednesday: Stat. Cycle 20-25 minutes, varying speed/intensity-Bodyweight Squats and Squat Holds-Side Lunge Holds-Pistols both sides-20 minute stretch/cool down
Friday: Stat. Cycle 25-30 mins, varying speed/intensity-Walking Squats-Forwards/Backwards Lunges-Leg Extensions-Hamstring Curls Single Leg-20 minute stretch/cool down
On top of this, of course, I do plenty of core and upper body conditioning, but I just felt I needed to lay this out for myself and also in case anyone else wanted to check it out. Also, exercises may vary according to how my legs are feeling that day...but that's the basic layout! Saturday and Sunday I usually rest my legs and experiment with tons of core and upper body conditioning, and as of right now I can't really take any days for technical training becuase of my ankle =/
This workout regime has really helped strengthen my legs a lot, and helped to reduce the pain in my knees by a ton. Can't wait to be back at 100% xD
-Nick
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Unity and Spirit
Hey guys, before the next post I just wanted to thank PKG and APK for putting my blog up on their sites for others to view...I'll make sure I keep posting and keep everyone updated with my travels, trainings, and experiences!
The holidays have past, with the exception of new years in a few days, and I've been spending a good amount of time looking back on my experience at Rendezvous. Although I still have a good amount of thinking and discovering left to do, I want to share some of my lessons and realizations that I've come upon through training with the best.
The first, and in my opinion most important concept I've stumbled upon is the idea of training the spirit, and the importance behind it when it comes to Parkour. Most people begin their training thinking about big drops, huge laches, crazy flips, leaping from rooftop to rooftop, being super-humanly strong, but don't take into mind what it truly takes to get there, as well as what it really means. Sorry if this is a bit confusing, it's kind of weird putting it into words xP
When these trainees (myself included) actually realized what it takes to become such an efficient traceur-all the conditioning, repetition, time and effort-it's a bit intimidating, even to someone who enjoys intense workouts. But, throughout the hours of training, sweat, and sore muscles, I noticed that it's not about being the best, it's not about rushing, it's not about training until failure...it's about challenging yourself to push a little harder than you did a minute ago, it's about understanding your environment and your body/mind/spirit's relation to it, and it's also about helping one another do the same...because we're all a community...a unity. Also, it's about understanding why you train-your motives and reasons, if any at all.
*One thing I continually noticed was the constant smile on each member of Yamakasi's faces...Yann, Chau, and the four students they brought with them. They continually reminded us to smile, even when our mouths would rather open to yell in pain, even when sweat poured from our faces. And each time I smiled, I understood. And each time I smiled, I felt stronger. With this understanding of the spirit in Parkour, my training has become more efficient, my movements more powerful, and my mind more clear.
Finally, I really learned to become more in tune with my surroundings, considering them to be more a part of me than separate "stuff". Everything I see, everything I interact with, becomes a part of me and my movement. Whether it's a vision in my mind, or an actuality during my training, I feel like it is then a part of me, a part of how I move and live. Curbs have become the edge of buildings hundreds of feet in the air during my daily jogs on them....everything becomes another opportunity to dream, train, live, and better myself mentally, physically, and spiritually. I believe the reason that monkeys can move so gracefully and flawlessly through the trees hundreds of feet in the air, besides the fact that they are monkeys, is because they are their environment...they don't separate or differentiate themselves from whats around them. They just climb, swing, and leap without thought. This is the true spirit of parkour, or at least a chunk of it-to just flow, become one with what is around you-and therefore become one with yourself.
It's very philosophic, but that's my understanding....and I think every Traceur should give this some thought. What is your understanding of spirit in parkour? Why do you train? Are we so separate from what is around us? And how does one's answer to this correspond to one's movement? Just some questions to ponder!
Thanks for reading, and I'll post more soon. Happy holidays and happy training!
-Nick
SMILE =D
The holidays have past, with the exception of new years in a few days, and I've been spending a good amount of time looking back on my experience at Rendezvous. Although I still have a good amount of thinking and discovering left to do, I want to share some of my lessons and realizations that I've come upon through training with the best.
The first, and in my opinion most important concept I've stumbled upon is the idea of training the spirit, and the importance behind it when it comes to Parkour. Most people begin their training thinking about big drops, huge laches, crazy flips, leaping from rooftop to rooftop, being super-humanly strong, but don't take into mind what it truly takes to get there, as well as what it really means. Sorry if this is a bit confusing, it's kind of weird putting it into words xP
When these trainees (myself included) actually realized what it takes to become such an efficient traceur-all the conditioning, repetition, time and effort-it's a bit intimidating, even to someone who enjoys intense workouts. But, throughout the hours of training, sweat, and sore muscles, I noticed that it's not about being the best, it's not about rushing, it's not about training until failure...it's about challenging yourself to push a little harder than you did a minute ago, it's about understanding your environment and your body/mind/spirit's relation to it, and it's also about helping one another do the same...because we're all a community...a unity. Also, it's about understanding why you train-your motives and reasons, if any at all.
*One thing I continually noticed was the constant smile on each member of Yamakasi's faces...Yann, Chau, and the four students they brought with them. They continually reminded us to smile, even when our mouths would rather open to yell in pain, even when sweat poured from our faces. And each time I smiled, I understood. And each time I smiled, I felt stronger. With this understanding of the spirit in Parkour, my training has become more efficient, my movements more powerful, and my mind more clear.
Finally, I really learned to become more in tune with my surroundings, considering them to be more a part of me than separate "stuff". Everything I see, everything I interact with, becomes a part of me and my movement. Whether it's a vision in my mind, or an actuality during my training, I feel like it is then a part of me, a part of how I move and live. Curbs have become the edge of buildings hundreds of feet in the air during my daily jogs on them....everything becomes another opportunity to dream, train, live, and better myself mentally, physically, and spiritually. I believe the reason that monkeys can move so gracefully and flawlessly through the trees hundreds of feet in the air, besides the fact that they are monkeys, is because they are their environment...they don't separate or differentiate themselves from whats around them. They just climb, swing, and leap without thought. This is the true spirit of parkour, or at least a chunk of it-to just flow, become one with what is around you-and therefore become one with yourself.
It's very philosophic, but that's my understanding....and I think every Traceur should give this some thought. What is your understanding of spirit in parkour? Why do you train? Are we so separate from what is around us? And how does one's answer to this correspond to one's movement? Just some questions to ponder!
Thanks for reading, and I'll post more soon. Happy holidays and happy training!
-Nick
SMILE =D
Thursday, December 18, 2008
A Trip to Remember--Rendezvous3
Waking up on the morning of day 1 of the Rendezvous gathering, I was full of energy and adrenaline, dissapointed yet happy that the forecast was rain all day. Left the hotel, walked across the bridge, found the Traceurs and waited in the cold and wet for training to begin. Entered Queen Elizabeth Hall, got my wristband, met some new people, and training began. Jog to the top, warm up on the roof, quadripedie through the puddles, and a pretty tough upper body warm up. Split to groups, set out for stations, Parkour with the best took off.
Vaulting, sliding, jumping, bench to bench, we each found our own path from one end of the area to the other, learning to be aware of our bodies head to toe. Precisions and tic tacs off the walls and benches, fast and slow, low and high, long and short. I was learning more about why I move, how I move, how I can be more aware of my movement without really thinking about it. Lunch followed, time for some rest and refueling, and then back to more training. Intense warm up Yamakasi style in the parking garage, bouncing forwards, backwards, circles, one foot, two feet, in a crouch position, calve raises, spins, high jumps and more. Followed were handstand holds, vault combinations, quadripedie forwards and backwards, up and down stairs, on wet, slippery rails. Wall runs, climb ups, traversing in cat and combining it all. Flow, precision, roll, climb up, drop, leap, land, vault, land, and repeat...ending with a race around the center. I was tired and sore, but satisfied and pumped for the next day.
Sunday I got to Academy Sport in Westminster a bit early, waited around for a while, and set out with everyone for a 25 minute jog....forwards, backwards, and side shuffling both sides. Came back indoors, shoes off, and more Yamakasi style warming up, bouncing and sprinting in place till my legs were on fire. Quadripedie around the room, and a difficult upper body warm up to finish it off. I sprained my ankle at the first station unfortunately (thank you Tyson for the icepacks, ha), but it partly ended up being good, in a way, believe it or not. I took the time to talk to Forrest for a good while about my injury and past ones, as well as becoming a teacher and other future goals I have. The conversation was a great one, and one I really needed, and I thank Forrest for every moment of it. Following was time for video and pictures, talking to others, and continuing with some upper body training. We finished with a great cool down, and it was done. It was a trip well worth taking, and one I will never forget. Thank yous go out to everyone! Can't wait for next years =]
To be, and to last.
-Nick
Vaulting, sliding, jumping, bench to bench, we each found our own path from one end of the area to the other, learning to be aware of our bodies head to toe. Precisions and tic tacs off the walls and benches, fast and slow, low and high, long and short. I was learning more about why I move, how I move, how I can be more aware of my movement without really thinking about it. Lunch followed, time for some rest and refueling, and then back to more training. Intense warm up Yamakasi style in the parking garage, bouncing forwards, backwards, circles, one foot, two feet, in a crouch position, calve raises, spins, high jumps and more. Followed were handstand holds, vault combinations, quadripedie forwards and backwards, up and down stairs, on wet, slippery rails. Wall runs, climb ups, traversing in cat and combining it all. Flow, precision, roll, climb up, drop, leap, land, vault, land, and repeat...ending with a race around the center. I was tired and sore, but satisfied and pumped for the next day.
Sunday I got to Academy Sport in Westminster a bit early, waited around for a while, and set out with everyone for a 25 minute jog....forwards, backwards, and side shuffling both sides. Came back indoors, shoes off, and more Yamakasi style warming up, bouncing and sprinting in place till my legs were on fire. Quadripedie around the room, and a difficult upper body warm up to finish it off. I sprained my ankle at the first station unfortunately (thank you Tyson for the icepacks, ha), but it partly ended up being good, in a way, believe it or not. I took the time to talk to Forrest for a good while about my injury and past ones, as well as becoming a teacher and other future goals I have. The conversation was a great one, and one I really needed, and I thank Forrest for every moment of it. Following was time for video and pictures, talking to others, and continuing with some upper body training. We finished with a great cool down, and it was done. It was a trip well worth taking, and one I will never forget. Thank yous go out to everyone! Can't wait for next years =]
To be, and to last.
-Nick
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Trip To London-Departure
Wow, it' been close to a month since my last post...guess I've been a bit busy!
Well, the time has finally come, Rendezvous 3 is this weekend, and I am pumped out of my mind! My flight for London leaves at 6: 50 this evening, and should land sometime around 6 or 7 am London time. I have been waiting 3 years now to not only meet the guys who first inspired me to move, but to train with and learn from them. It's really an honor! I've got my brand new HD camcorder with me for pics and video, although I'm sure I won't be using it too much xP
My knees are feeling a good amount better, still a little sore here and there, but not so that they will stop me from giving my full effort. I don't know when I'm coming back overseas, so this is an opportunity I can not miss. I'm hoping to meet other Traceurs from around the world, and hoping to learn and share knowledge with everyone there. The plan is basically as follows:
Fly out, land Thursday morning, head out for some sight seeing, get used to the new area. Friday, check out some spots, probably a bit more sight seeing, and maybe check out a PKG academy class. Rendezvous begins with outdoor training saturday, indoor sunday, both about 6 hours. Monday maybe another academy class, and Tuesday some more parkour and sight seeing. Sounds like quite the trip =]
Time for me to finish up my last bit of packing and lunch, my ride to the airport arrives in about 2 hours. I'll post about the trip when I get back!
Thanks all, happy training.
-Nick
Well, the time has finally come, Rendezvous 3 is this weekend, and I am pumped out of my mind! My flight for London leaves at 6: 50 this evening, and should land sometime around 6 or 7 am London time. I have been waiting 3 years now to not only meet the guys who first inspired me to move, but to train with and learn from them. It's really an honor! I've got my brand new HD camcorder with me for pics and video, although I'm sure I won't be using it too much xP
My knees are feeling a good amount better, still a little sore here and there, but not so that they will stop me from giving my full effort. I don't know when I'm coming back overseas, so this is an opportunity I can not miss. I'm hoping to meet other Traceurs from around the world, and hoping to learn and share knowledge with everyone there. The plan is basically as follows:
Fly out, land Thursday morning, head out for some sight seeing, get used to the new area. Friday, check out some spots, probably a bit more sight seeing, and maybe check out a PKG academy class. Rendezvous begins with outdoor training saturday, indoor sunday, both about 6 hours. Monday maybe another academy class, and Tuesday some more parkour and sight seeing. Sounds like quite the trip =]
Time for me to finish up my last bit of packing and lunch, my ride to the airport arrives in about 2 hours. I'll post about the trip when I get back!
Thanks all, happy training.
-Nick
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