Week Three 09/13/2011
 
Christopher Hollingsworth
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Age: 18
From: Manitou Springs, Colorado, USA
Re-discovered PK, how many years ago: 
I rediscovered myself through Parkour about 5 years ago.
Team or communities: 
I am the founding member of "Team Aeolus" http://www.youtube.com/user/TeamAeolus
http://www.facebook.com/AeolusParkour


Who are your inspirations? and why?
     In terms of Parkour, I have two fantastic inspirational figures, the first figure being "Dylan Baker. I never really noticed Dylan at the jams or on youtube because he's a very soft-spoken person, it was only after viewing his video "Manhood" that I gained respect and admiration for him. Long story short, Dylan decided to conquer an obstacle that had almost killed him in the past, but that's not what gained my respect. Dylan took his camera and his tripod out to the area, and completely on his own filmed his triumph. After getting about 20,000 views on youtube in just a few days, he took it down because he felt that the achievement was no longer his. That, to me, is respectable because in my own opinion, Parkour is about self betterment, not youtube views.

     I would have to say that my biggest inspiration as a practitioner is "Justin Sheaffer", founding member of Tranquil Movement. Justin has shown me nothing but patience in his teachings, and without him I can honestly say that as a practitioner I would have no-where near the understanding that I do about myself, and the discipline I practice. Justin, through calm understanding, has taught me that if I practice Parkour for the people around me, or to show off, then I become a slave to the people. For the majority of my years training that's exactly what I was. Parkour, in my own opinion, is meant to be something expressed and utilized as a method of freedom, but instead it was a cage for people to watch me through. Without Justin and his teachings I would still be trapped, and for that i'm extremely grateful.

What is your goal with Parkour and your life?
     My goal as a practitioner is to become the best that I can be as an individual. I'm just as aware as anybody else that no-one is perfect, but I am a firm believer that the only thing a person can be perfect at, is being themselves.  A Traceur has the ability to push himself past all expectations, not only those that are given to him by others, but also the expectations that he holds himself to. If one wishes to become truly free, one mustn’t see a wall as an obstacle, but rather as an opportunity to push himself over the expectation of staying inside of it. When one frees the mind of the idea that in order to act, one must think, then he shall be free of obstacle and shall truly flow with opportunity. Becoming a Traceur is truly becoming the embodiment of freedom, freedom expressed through movement, and free transformation. Through Parkour I wish to center myself and become the best that I can be as an individual and as a practitioner. Being a practitioner effects all other areas of my life, and because of it I can now asses any situation calmly and I can look upon any situation with any biased opinion because I see all angles and all opportunities any situation may bring.

What is your honest opinion of Tranquil Movement?
     I found out about Tranquil Movement about 2 years ago with the "Winter Sampler" video. I didn't think too much of Tranquil movement until I had the opportunity to meet with a few of the members. Through Tranquil Movement I have found that Parkour is not about showing off or looking cool, but that it's a way to create a self expressed outlet of discipline utilized for the sole purpose of self betterment and calming ones own mind using the obstacles, or rather, opportunities around you. I have tried my greatest to spread the message portrayed at Tranquil Movement because they teach not only the idea of Parkour and how it can be utilized to handle everyday situations calmly and effectively , but also ones capabilities and understanding through the art and practice of movement.


Greatest obstacle you are overcoming or have overcome?
     The greatest obstacle that i'm overcoming is slowing down. For the longest time Parkour was always about the next big trick, and I never utilized my strength as an individual or took the time to slow down and appreciate the true art of my movements. I realize now, that Parkour is a discipline and should be treated as such, slowly and at my own pace. Iv'e learned that  if someone’s only goal is to become greater than what they are capable of in order to become better than someone else, then their bodies will break and deteriorate, so iv'e taken the time to stop comparing myself to others, and to just let myself become what I was meant to be at my own pace without force or hesitation.
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