Mi Abuelita Does Parkour!: How parkour training can help prevent injuries and build connections across family generations

Book Synopsis: Nito’s Abuelita (“ah-bway-LEE-tah,” his grandma) is not your ordinary grandma. She has been taking parkour classes for seniors (people over 50) at a parkour gym! Nito loves going to the park with his Abuelita to do parkour. Together they create obstacle courses using the benches, low walls, handrails, and other structures they find there. This is Nito’s favorite thing to do with his Abuelita. Nito’s dad, however, is worried that parkour seems dangerous. He doesn’t want his mom and his son to be doing parkour at the park anymore. This could be the end for Nito’s parkour experience.

Did you know that parkour is a way of training the body and the mind to deal with obstacles (both physical and psychological) we encounter in life? Parkour is often viewed as a dangerous activity undertaken only by reckless young men and teens. Through working with trained coaches, however, people of all ages, sizes, and ability levels can grow in strength and courage as they meet physical challenges at their own levels and progress at their own pace.

What if parkour training was a way of preventing injury? Some parkour athletes are indeed capable of performing seemingly superhuman climbs, jumps, and other moves. But parkour is so much more than that! Parkour practitioners develop increased balance, overall physical strength, an awareness of their current abilities and limitations, greater agility, increased confidence – the list goes on and on. And some parkour gyms are now offering classes specifically designed for older adults and senior citizens. These classes place a greater emphasis on strength training, fall prevention, balance, and agility and flexibility.

Have you noticed how children love to climb and jump and test their limits? As children, we naturally did parkour everywhere we went! We climbed trees, jumped off of low walls, and played “the floor is lava” every chance we got. As we grew, many of us were told to stop doing these “dangerous” things. As adults, most of us have lost the ability to move playfully in our environment. Movement is limited to “acceptable” activities, like working out at the gym or participating in amateur sports.

Did you know that parkour helps us regain the benefits of playful and creative movement? Whatever your age, size, or fitness level, parkour can be a fun and creative activity in your life. This children’s picture book cannot capture every aspect of parkour’s benefits. Share this book with a child, parent, grandparent, or friend you love, and then check to see if there is a parkour gym or parkour practitioners in your own community!

Click the buy button to grab your copy today! Read more