• During the weekend we spotlight 2 Traceurs on the Take Flight Facebook page.
• On Saturday we spotlight one Traceur which YOU choose.
• On Sunday we spotlight one Traceur who is a Take Flight Athlete.

Take Flight Athlete Nikolay Stasolik

Last weekend was the first weekend we did this and we showcased Austrian Traceur Sascha “Cionn” Hauser and Take Flight Athlete Nikolay Stasolik. With many more weekends to come we have a lot more showcases to do. The only question left is who do you want featured? And you can tell us by:

a)      Responding in the blog comments here.
b)      Writing on our Facebook wall and/or responding to our open questions which we post throughout the week requesting your input.

That’s it. The only thing left to do is tune into the page so you don’t miss a beat!

Adam Dunlap in Flight

Adam Dunlap has gone from being a normal everyday US grown Traceur, to being one of the most influential people in the Parkour world. Being the founder and director of the world’s most prominent Parkour clothing company is one claim to fame, but he is also a close friend and associate of David Belle.

However, his rise new place in the Parkour world has not come without questions and controversy (as always, right?). And the new implications of his involvement with Parkour.com coupled with a myriad of rumors that have been circling for years has led to a crescendo of questions that have finally led to a candid interview.

As of a week ago, Dunlap posted on FlipYeahParkour.com accepting an offer from Alan Schexnayder to be interviewed, and for the first time respond publicly to the questions about a myriad of topics including Take Flight, his involvement with David Belle, and his connection with Parkour.com. We have received word today that Schexnayder has contacted Dunlap and they are arranging the details.

Although we don’t know much at this point about what the interview will hold, Dunlap has made it clear to us that he is willing to answer any questions in the interview as long as he doesn’t deem them too intrusive in a business or personal nature. So given the opportunity we want to know…

What questions do you have for Dunlap?!

If there are any questions you’d like to see in the interview you can write those questions here in a blog comment or write them on the Take Flight Facebook wall. You can also contact FlipYeahParkour directly with your questions as they will be hosting and publishing the interview.

Adam Dunlap and David Belle as posted on David Belle's Facebook page.

If history is any implication he also doesn’t give many interviews. So we recommend giving your two sense now by helping pose the questions that will be asked. And also, make sure to stay tuned in to the Take Flight Facebook page, the Take Flight blog, and FlipYeahParkour.com for news so you don’t miss when the interview drops.

We will to keep you posted.

'A New Earth' by Echkart Tolle

The rumors continue to swirl to this day perpetuated by a handful of high profile individuals and there still has not been much of a reply from us. The passage below was taken from the book A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle, and I think it will shed light on our demeanor, our approach to accusations, and the negative way in which the accusations have taken form and shaped some of the Parkour community’s view on us.

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Is That So?

The Zen Master Hakuin lived in a town in Japan. He was held in high regard and many people came to him for spiritual teaching. Then it happened that the teenage daughter of his next-door neighbor became pregnant. When being questioned by her angry and scolding parents as to the identity of the father, she finally told them that he was Hakuin, the Zen master. In great anger the parents rushed over to Hakuin and told him with much shouting and accusing that their daughter had confessed that he was the father. All he replied was, “Is that so?”

News of the scandal spread throughout the town and beyond. The Master lost his reputation. This did not trouble him. Nobody came to see him anymore. He remained unmoved. When the child was born, the parents brought the baby to Hakuin, “You are the father, so look after him.” The Master took loving care of the child. A year later, the mother remorsefully confessed to her parents that the real father of the child was the young man who worked at the butcher shop. In great distress they went to see Hakuin to apologize and ask for forgiveness. “We are really sorry. We have come to take the baby back. Our daughter confessed that you are not the father.” “Is that so?” is all he would say as he handed the baby over to them.

The Master responds to falsehood and truth, bad news and good news, in exactly the same way: “Is that so?” He allows the form of the moment, good or bad, to be as it is and so done not become a participant in human drama…

…Imagine briefly how the ego would have reacted during the various stages of the unfolding of these events.

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How the Zen Master Hakuin responds to accusations in this story is very similar to the way I respond to conflict and accusations, and it’s how I direct Take Flight as an organization to respond to them as well: we allow the form of the moment, good or bad, to be as it is and so done not become a participant in human drama. Added to this, like Hakuin in the story, we know that the accusations aren’t true. In addition to this concept, there are some other similarities that can be taken from this story that show more insight into how we think and what we do.

David Belle is kind of like a Zen Master. But more like a Movement Master.

One thing I noticed about this story that is also very similar to the real world and the accusations that Take Flight and I personally face is that no one asked Hakuin any questions. If I had been the father of the girl, the first thing I would have done before accusing the Zen Master would have been to verify my daughter’s claim by asking Hakuin his side of the story. But the parents in this story did not do this. Instead they just accepted the daughter’s lie as fact and perpetuated the accusation to the detriment of the Zen Master reputation. For years we have been facing the same things at Take Flight.

One more truth that comes from this story emanates from a question people might ask: “Why didn’t Zen Master Hakuin respond and say he wasn’t the father?” This is a great question, and in order to understand Toll’s perspective on this you’ll have to purchase a copy of the book. However, one part of my perspective and answer to this is a truth I’ve learned over the years, and although Tolle does not mention this that I think applies to the story. This truth is that until people are ready to ask the questions they aren’t ready to hear the answers. As human, our brains work to find what we are looking for, and we rarely find something until we are open to finding it. So when someone accuses you of something and doesn’t ask for your perspective they aren’t usually open to hearing your side of the story. If they were, they would have asked you in the first place instead of already forming their conclusion and accusing you. I’ve seen this conclude-and-accuse-instead-of-asking-questions approach time and time again in the Parkour world driven towards Take Flight and myself, and we don’t usually respond simply because we don’t believe it will change anyone’s views. Those that are open to the truth will ask, and since no one asks we don’t give answers. It’s that simple. In our case (and one reason we are comfortable holding this view) the answers are our there too, and we have a great community and support that knows them and defends us. So because of that we don’t feel the need to restate what is already known. Like I said, our brains work to find what we are looking for. Even to the most minuscule rumors about Take Flight or myself, the answers are already out there for those that are searching with an open mind.

I hope you found this story enlightening, and I hope this blog is the beginning of helping clearing up the negative rumors and ideas that are spreading around about Take Flight. The entire book A New Earth is a fantastic read, and I highly recommend looking into it and picking up a copy for yourself. I did some research and apparently Oprah Winfrey put the book on the reading list in her book club, so you don’t have to take just my word for it : )

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Adam Dunlap is the founder and CEO of Take Flight. In addition to his role at the company Adam is currently working closely with David Belle in films and on other projects in order to advance Parkour in the US and around the globe. Previous projects of Adam’s include starting the Revolution Parkour gym in Portland, Oregon, and running various Parkour blogs. Adam is an avid Traceur and can often be found training both outside and at Parkour classes in whatever city he finds himself. Adam currently takes no salary from his work with Take Flight.

We're celebrating David Belle's birthday with the biggest sale of the year!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SALE!!!

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David Belle’s birthday is this Sunday, April 29^th. If you’ve been a Take Flight fan for at least a year then you know that means it’s time for our annual David Belle Birthday Sale.

Last year it was for one day, but this year since Belle’s big day falls on a Sunday we are doing the sale for 3 days! To celebrate we’ve reduced prices on virtually every Parkour clothing item in our online store!

Most items are at least 30% off. Some are more than 50% off. And some tees are as low as $9.

No gimmicks. No tricks. No having to buy a certain amount of clothing to get a discount. Just a huge sale to celebrate the birthday of the founder of Parkour. Make a wish. Then Jump. Fly. Dream : ))

P.S. In addition to the sale, the Take Flight Facebook pageis going to be David Belle central for the next 3 days. So stay tuned for pictures, videos, quotes, and more!

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Sébastien Foucan helped me at the end to fill in the training method for Parkour and to make it more accessible to the people. He is among my best friends. The Yamakasi went their way transmitting their message of gathering together and to also give people more desire to train outside! I separated from them just after the Stade 2 news feature because there was truly a motivation and objectives different than mine, so they could affirm themselves and do the things like they wanted!

Chau Belle is my younger cousin and he had the base of sport from my father and Williams the same. Yann has always been a good athlete! Laurent a good runner! And the others also. Therefore it is 2012 and life continues, and everyone is still standing in spite of the falls ! ; ) No one wants bad for anyone. There is no war between us. Each one manages their lives as they wish. I don’t support anything! But each person has the choice to go where they want. They don’t lie, but they lack information, that’s all. End of story. Let’s turn the page : ))

Therefore look before you advance, and be careful where you place your feet! We cannot love everyone, and yet everyone has the right to live. The problem is not to know who possesses the best techniques or who says right and who says wrong! We tap into the important when the teaching that you receive corresponds to what you were searching for! If yes, then practice and be respectful towards your trainer and if not then test another method! But don’t blame their method! What is good for them may be good for others! I know everyone can understand this. Thank you in advance!

Life is short and there are priorities, family, and health, because many have left us too soon. We must all support each other, but think of your life and your story! You are the author! Then everyone be safe in your journey. Each person is unique!

See you soon,

David Belle

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I’d like to make it simple for everyone to understand once and for all!

I created and alone decided to put a K in Parkour, that is now used in every possible way, and where the whole world invents their lives like Zephyr who says ‘I also, my father who was in the military transmitted Parkour to me and I have practiced for 25 years!’ This kills me, but well certain are far away in their heads but not in the right direction! : )) I am the only one to have received directly and verbally the teachings of this method by my father! I am the only one at the beginning to have put my life in danger for this sport to exist! I made sacrifices and I put my heart into it! The Yamakasi are at the origin of a movement that everyone knows as “move outside, move together” and that’s all, there you go our common point. My father did like all the other fathers or old military men! He gave little advice of sport to whichever young people wanted to learn; but never, and I repeat my father Never spoke of Parkour to anyone except me!

Don’t forget you aren’t in a world that respects you, you are in a world where each person takes what they want without asking permission and does what they want! And I don’t like that! There you go, that’s why I prefer to stay alone! Or then with brothers of arms that have the notion of values and who respect their word! You don’t play with death! My father isn’t anymore, and as long as there rests in me the breath of life! I will defend what he left me!

Thank you to all the practitioners of Parkour, with or without acro it doesn’t matter, the important thing is to enjoy learning and to evolve and not to get hurt. So thank you again for believing in this discipline and good luck on the path of life. And shame on those who without ever asking have made business with a name that did not belong to them! The bill will be expensive! You do not play with death! I would never betray my family or my brothers! All the rest I don’t trust because there is too much treachery in this world! I had learned to trust, this world taught me to be careful!

So continue to advance for yourselves. Don’t listen to the stories anymore because there aren’t any! Except one, the truth! Parkour does not have to be liked or disliked! Parkour is here and it will stay here forever! Because it was born from a pure heart and nourished from all the love that a son can give to his father! End of story.

Be careful and never forget that we are on earth to learn and to give, and not to steal, or lie, or cheat! Parkour raises us above this and must help us to feel good in our hearts, in our bodies, and each person should think to fill up their own life!

I am going to soon have a son, therefore it was important for me to tell you this! Because a new Parkour awaits me! To be a FATHER : )) The most beautiful gift of life!

I love you all and continue to flood the streets with your joy of living!

Thank you,

David Belle

Ryan Doyle in Verzaska. Click to visit his website!

Our view on competition from a business perspective is this: in the world of Parkour we don’t view anyone as competition. Rather we view everyone as groups that we respect and want to work with. We believe that when we all work together we all advance together much further than we would as individuals, and excluding groups or trying to conquer groups or any of that regular business mindset that most companies have just isn’t conducive to our collective bigger goal of spreading Parkour.

A few weeks ago I was talking to Ryan Doyle about becoming a Take Flight athlete. He was on board and we even discussed some in depth ideas about how to work together. But before we could move ahead, and the last thing that had to be done before we could, was he said he needed to speak to WFPF. I don’t know what conversation went on between Ryan and those at WFPF or possibly other managers/agents etc, but Ryan came back and said he couldn’t move ahead at the present time because of contractual issues.

Move to Inspire. Click to visit their website!

A lot of groups in the Parkour have the mindset of making athletes stay exclusive and protecting their brand or ideas in that way. The “You can’t be with that company if you are with us,” is the thinking, and the “if they succeed we don’t” perspective is the other false mindset that others operate by. But we don’t believe in this. In fact we don’t see things this way at all! On the contrary we want to work with and support all groups, athletes, and organizations in the Parkour world. There are so many great groups out there and new Traceurs and organizations are rising up all the time.

Move to Inspire is a great new example of an up and coming organization that just came on the scene. We love this group and we love their motto, ideas, and vision! And not to mention they make shirts for Traceurs and they are awesome too. We wouldn’t dream of calling them competitors, because even though our ability to produce clothing in some ways depends on our sales, Move to Inspire and Take Flight are ultimately working for the same goals. We’re proud of them and we want to see them succeed. Yes, we are a business, but why would we want to consider Move to Inspire competition? To do so is to put profits above Parkour, and that’s not how we think or operate.

At Take Flight we think about helping those in the Parkour community, and helping everyone grow together. That starts most prominently with our helping our athletes and partners which we are always looking to grow, and it extends to the entire community via our community posts, the support we give, and the message we spread. We do this because Parkour is more important to us than profits. And as we said before, we believe that when we help each other succeed we all benefit and advance further together than we would if we just tried to advance alone as individuals.

That’s our stance and we’re sticking to it.

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Adam Dunlap is the founder and CEO of Take Flight. In addition to his role at the company Adam is currently working closely with David Belle in films and on other projects in order to advance Parkour in the US and around the globe. Previous projects of Adam’s include starting the Revolution Parkour gym in Portland, Oregon, and running various Parkour blogs. Adam is an avid Traceur and can often be found training both outside and at Parkour classes in whatever city he finds himself. Adam currently takes no salary from his work with Take Flight.

TF Traceur Hoodie

One more blog post to announce what we don’t want anyone to miss: arguably the greatest deal we’ve ever had.

Parkour Hoodies are usually $40 or $45. But now you c an get a hoodie + a Parkour tee for as little as $19. The breakdown of the TF Traceur Hoodie looks like this

Normal price: $45 (hoodie) + $20 (tee shirt) = $65

Your Price: $29 (hoodie) +FREE tee shirt= $29

That’s more than 50% off. (55.4% off to be exact)

This deal lasts through March 31, so there are two days left. If you’ve been looking for a hoodie or just a great reason or deal this would be the one to take advantage of : )

Wishing everyone a great weekend filled with training and focus!

Buy a Parkour hoodie and get a Parkour tee shirt for free.

Notes regarding the free tee:

1. The tee is of the Grab Bag variety meaning we choose it. But trust us, we’ll choose a good one : )
2. The tee will be of the same size as the hoodie unless you specify a different size to us. Specifying a different size can be done simply by responding to your order confirmation or writing customer service an email after you place your order (support@takeflightapparel.com).

Hoodies have already been marked for winter closeout and are as low as $24! What this means is you can get a hoodie and a tee shirt for one amazing price. It actually costs us more than $24 to just make a hoodie (not counting the shirt) so this is a crazy deal. But we’re all about bringing value to the Parkour community so it is worth it : ))

This deal only last until the end of Mach so if this is something you want then act quickly.

Wishing everyone a great spring!

Buy a Parkour Hoodie and Get a Parkour Tee for Free!

]]> http://www.takeflightapparel.com/blog/buy-a-parkour-hoodie-get-a-parkour-tee-for-free/feed/ 5 http://www.takeflightapparel.com/blog/the-parkour-dream-trip-sweepstakes/ http://www.takeflightapparel.com/blog/the-parkour-dream-trip-sweepstakes/#comments Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:02:10 +0000 Take Flight http://www.takeflightapparel.com/blog/?p=4418

We are on the verge of launching the biggest sweepstakes that has ever swept the Parkour community. It is called The Parkour Dream Trip Sweepstakes, and the grand prize is an all expense paid week long trip for 4 to the Parkour birthplace Lisses, France this summer 2012 (winner can also choose to go in 2013 if they prefer). In addition, if the scheduling works out, the grand prize winners will spend a day training with the founder of Parkour, David Belle.

Presented here by Take Flight founder Adam Dunlap, this contest is more than just about a big prize. It’s about bringing energy, synergy, and togetherness to the Parkour community. So in addition to the grand prize dream trip, we will also be giving away clothing, signed Parkour merchandise, cash prizes, and video cameras. It is going to be huge!

But we haven’t launch the sweepstakes yet. And what do we need in order to launch this sweepstakes? We need the support of the Parkour community! But it’s really simply. All we need you to do is show your support by liking the Take Flight page on Facebook which can be found at http://www.Facebook.com/TakeFlightApparel or at http://www.iTakeFlight.com. We currently have roughly 39,000 Facebook fans. The goal is 100,000 fans. If we have crossed the 100,000 fan mark by April 15, 2012, then we’ll launch the sweepstakes.

It’s up to you to make this sweepstakes happen! Share this video with friends in the Parkour world and let’s send a group on the Parkour Dream Trip of a lifetime.

*Rules are regulations subject to change without notification. Participation of David Belle is subject to his schedule and is presented in this video in good faith, but is neither guaranteed nor promised. Some contest restrictions may apply. Age restrictions such as ‘must be 18 [21] or older to win’ may be instituted for legal reasons.