Flow Ninjas Parkour Team

ルの分隊
OFFICIAL TEAM FAQ

Flow Ninjas Parkour Team (FNPK) is an athletic team focused on training in the art of parkour. Our goal at Flow Ninjas Parkour Team is mold ourselves to become the best we can be so that we can overcome the difficult obstacles that life throws at us. Website: www.facebook.com/FlowNinjasParkourTeam
Twitter: www.twitter.com/FlowNinjasPK
Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/FlowNinjasParkour/videos

WHAT TO BRING TO YOUR FIRST SESSION

A water bottle, light-weight shoes, and athletic attire (sweat pants and a t-shirt + sweater during colder months). Our team "uniform" is all-black attire, so wearing all black is preferable but not required. Please have the following two forms printed and filled out (with the assistance of a parent or guardian if you are under 18):
1. Liability Waiver: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwKf4-FSdA9rX0JGOVV1NVhidDQ/edit?usp=sharing
2. Emergency Contact Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwKf4-FSdA9ra2VfWllJdWt3LVE/edit?usp=sharing

Our team is non-profit and donor funded. Please consider making a donation of $10-20. All donations go directly toward the team's equipment and management expenses. TEAM MOTTO

As we flow in parkour, we persevere in life. With this phrase, we will embrace who we are and learn the meaning of 'Flow'. We become one with ourselves and our urban environment. We do this by training our minds and our bodies. Never give up. Only move. –FNPK

FNPK RANKING SYSTEM

For Flow Ninjas Parkour Team and its members, parkour is not just an alternative sport, but an athletic art form that must be mastered, just like any combat-focused martial art. As such, we have developed a ranking system to reflect our members’ dedication to the team and their personal growth as traceurs. Instead of colored belts, our team uses hand-crafted masks to physically represent our journeys and growth as individual traceurs and as members of Flow Ninjas Parkour Team. STRAWBERRY (Non-Rank)

People who just started training with our team start off as Strawberries. They are Strawberries because “they are fresh, delicate, and they bruise easily” –Adelar. This is a trial period of sorts, wherein they are encouraged to become acquainted with our team’s members and practices. Strawberries are not permitted to begin their Earth Rank mask until ascending to Chikyū rank. EARTH RANK: CHIKYŪ - 地球

The Japanese characteristic for Earth is Chikyū (地球). Members that are classified in this rank will be training in building a solid foundation for their Parkour. Like the Earth, they will be focusing on strengthening their physical forms (this means body). Ranking to Chikyū:
• Minimum 3 months active.
• Tested by a Kaze or higher ranked member to be competetent in all basic parkour forms and techniques. WIND RANK: KAZE - 風

The Japanese word for wind is Kaze (風). Members in this rank will train in the flow and the continuous movement of parkour. They work on speed, endurance, and agility in order to surpass difficult obstacles. Like the wind, they will flow to different locations, seeking out and discovering new territories, and finding others interested in learning the art of parkour. Ranking to Kaze:
• Minimum 9 months active.
• Introduce at least one new person to the team and have him or her come to a class.
• Design and craft a mask for the rank of Chikyū, in symbolism of mastery of that rank and the passage of time, and present it to the team captains for rank-up consideration.
• Tested by a Mizu or higher ranked member in agility and light-footedness. WATER RANK: MIZU - 水

The Japanese word for water is Mizu (水). Building upon the skills of previous ranks, members of the rank Mizu learn adaptation to their environment with fluidity, overcoming obstacles in effortless succession. Likewise, like the water they represent, Mizu ranks need to not only hone their skillset, but pass their knowledge onto others. As such, they are expected to start working as individuals to begin leading training and developing their own lesson plans. Ranking to Mizu:
• Minimum 1.5 years active.
• Lead at least one week’s worth of class.
• Design and craft a mask for the rank of Kaze, in symbolism of mastery of that rank and the passage of time, and present it to the team captains for rank-up consideration.
• Tested by a Mizu or higher ranked member in flow. FIRE RANK: KASAI - 火

The Japanese characteristic of the fire element is Kasai (火). Kasai ranks show a burning passion for parkour. They are devoted to the betterment of themselves and others through training and, like wildfire, aid the team in its growth—both in size and strength—through training and outreach efforts. Ranking to Kasai:
• Recruit and produce at least 2 Kaze Ranks.
• Develop and instruct a new self-designed / researched lesson plan.
• Design and craft a mask for the rank of Mizu, in symbolism of mastery of that rank and the passage of time, and present it to the team captains for rank-up consideration. SHADOW RANK: KAGE - 影

The Japanese character for shadow is Kage (影). In darkness, our team finds enlightenment. Kage ranks embrace the shadows to swiftly and soundlessly move from one place to another. They have mastered all of the teachings of the previous elements and have surpassed them, becoming strong, disciplined, and wise. The rank of Kage is reserved to those who not only have mastered the art of parkour, but have also demonstrated an unsurpassable devotion to the team and its betterment. Even when they cannot join for training, they are expected to keep an eye on the team and assist active members from afar—as if to always be there with us, observing from the shadows. Ranking to Kage:
• Nomination by at least two Mizu or higher ranked members.
• Approval by one of the existing Kage ranked members.
• Approval by the majority of team captains. VOID RANK: SORA - 空 (Honorary Rank)

The final rank for Flow Ninjas is Sora (空), most often translated as ‘Void,’ but also meaning 'sky' or 'Heaven.' Unlike the other ranks above Strawberry, the rank of Sora does not come with any power or responsibilities. Instead it is reserved to show respect for those members who have helped to bring FNPK to reality through their strong contributions, but have since passed into a permanent state of inactivity or detachment from the group. Kage ranks who enter retirement (and no longer wish to influence the team from afar) are viewed as members of the Void, but exceptions may be made for other lost brethren whose time spent with FNPK has left a substantial and beneficial impact on the team. HAVING TROUBLE MAKING IT TO ZARCO'S STUDIO TO MAKE YOUR MASK? Send us a private message on the Flow Ninjas Parkour Team and we can work with you to complete your mask for a $40 labor fee (+ $10 for materials as always). You must be close to all other rank-up requirements in order to qualify for this help.