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OP,

Initially try to think of Parkour as a philosophy of movement. Sébastien Foucan has made great efforts to make sure that it is understood as a discipline/school of thought as opposed to a 'sport' (ignore film roles/sponsorship deals). The main principle being that partaking in parkour comes from investigating our urban environments in new ways with our bodies - thus creating an accessible and ultimately 'free' physical philosophy.

Depending on how you want to approach your environment will decide what you will consider 'prerequisites'. If want to attempt incredible drops or roof gaps then your nerve is more important than your flexibility for example. Athletics, martial arts, yoga, dance and even contact sports are often referenced as teaching traits desirable to practitioners.

There are a few things you will find incredibly useful - strength, flexibility, nerve - but also stamina, focus, co-ordination, grace and persistance.

There are several simple building-block moves which are easily practiced in fairly private spaces and often used. Things like being able to improve the length and height of your jump, various styles of clearing rails, perfecting gripping onto ledges out of jumps etc. etc.

Finding others who are involved or want to be is vital to your progression. You are attempting to look at everything from a new perspective and other people are the best way to guide you into this. Even if you don't regularly run with them, community is an important aspect.

At the end of the day, your environment will affect how you move. Try to think of the experience as entirely fluid. Your style will progress over time - you don't have to spin and flip. I would rather watch a smooth runner every time than one who flips everything. Nobody can give you too many tips because it's your body to play with, however at some point in time your joints will be upset and you will get injured. Scrapes/grazes are standard, as are bust ankles from sketchy landings. Minimise it by warming everything up - you use muscles you wouldn't believe. Treat it with respect and you should have a blast.

Oh and Channel 4 in the UK did a cool documentary on this with some OK interviews with Sébastien Foucan. Probably worth a watch. Hope this helped.