About Us
At the movement lab collective, our goal is simple; provide the most authentic Parkour education experience in the state of Maine, and to celebrate Parkour in its entirety.
We strive to use best practice in both Parkour and education to deliver the most comprehensive indoor training space in the state.
In our 6000 sqft facility, you’ll find everything you’ll need to learn Parkour, Ninja Warrior, and Obstacle Course Racing Techniques safely, effectively, and organically.
in the short year that we’ve been open, we’ve helped dozens of clients young and old discover their potential and have exceed their expectations of what they’re capable of.
What is Parkour?
Parkour is a discipline that focuses on fluid, acrobatic and expressive movement, typically in urban environments.
Parkour athletes use their immediate surroundings to run, jump, climb, balance, and tumble, taking everyday architectural elements and transforming them into tools of physical self-expression, and effective, efficient traversal techniques and modalities.
Originating in the suburban town of Lisses, France, Parkour was founded on the guiding principle of ètre fort port ètre utiles, or “be strong to be useful.
Inspired by the blocky nature of the buildings in the town, and unique fixtures like Le Dame Du Lac climbing wall, the pioneers of Parkour sought to challenge themselves and the limitations of both the body and the minds to their fullest potential, turning the urban landscape into their own playground.
At the Movement Lab, we continue to foster the same philosophy of discovery, play, and exploration, and show our clients how to connect with the world around them and their bodies.
Parkour offers it’s practitioners a broad set of physical skills, of which they can take in a multitude of directions; be it competing in skill and speed competitions, Ninja Warrior, Obstacle Course Races like Spartan and Tough Mudder, or simply learning how their body moves recreationally, there’s a place for everyone at any stage of their movement journey at The Movement Lab.
Meet the Team!
Ed Whitehead MSed
Owner/ Director
Owner and Founder of The Movement Lab Collective, Ed has an extensive background in Parkour education; with over fifteen years experience as an athlete and over ten as an instructor, Ed has helped individuals of all walks of life benefit from the practice of Parkour.
Having traveled the world and practiced in a multitude of different environments ranging from the French Alps to the shoreline of Maine, Ed teaches Parkour with the understanding that it’s an outdoors-discipline, preparing students for real-world situations and fostering respect for the sport of Parkour and how it’s practiced outside the gym’s walls.
With a Masters of Science in curriculum development and implementation, Ed can teach to a broad spectrum of individuals, and give our clients just the right amount of challenge to grow and thrive. Ed has also been certified through ISSA as a personal trainer and understands the human body and it’s mechanics very well.
Having developed our Movement Passport Program, Students in our youth classes can enjoy a strengths based, organic curriculum that reflects how Parkour is taught and learned, helping to keep our students’ eye on the prize without losing sight of why they started learning Parkour in the first place; to have fun!
Malachy "Spencer" Hurd BS. Psych
Instructor
Meet Malachy “Spencer” Hurd, a recent graduate of Bachelors of Science in Sports Psychology at Arcadia University, Spencer understands how to motivate our clients young and old, and natural coach and leader in our youth programs.
In addition, Spencer has worked extensively with the Harrison ME Rec. department as a camp counselor and athletics coach. Spencer’s sharp eye for technique and biomechanics also makes him a great resource as a supporting staff. He is adept at breaking down technical points in such a way that anyone at any level of comprehension can understand.
Relatively new to the sport of Parkour, Spencer is a fast learner, and is excelling in his understanding of Parkour techniques and mechanics, and is a fantastic addition to our team!
Spencer is a true team player, and goes above and beyond at the gym to give the best educational experience here at The Movement Lab!
Mikayla Jeanette Foley BA.
Parkour enthusiast, Fitness professional, and Aerial silk instructor Mikayla “MJ” Foley is our newest addition to The Movement Lab Collective. A transplant from San Francisco, Mikayla has been taking Parkour classes with us for the past six months, and has quickly become proficient at the fundamentals of Parkour, and is lending her talents to the Collective.
ISSA Certified personal trainer, with a BA in Dance Movement Education, Mikayla is offering her expertise to teach Aerial Silks classes starting now, and Personal Training and Animal Flow Classes starting in August.
Mikayla’s skillset is very complimentary to our current offerings at the Lab, and we’re lucky to have her on the team!