Somewhere between gymnastics and martial arts is Parkour, a challenging, physical discipline requiring speed, body control, and flexibility. In this essential lesson for Parkour and freerunning novices, review two essential skills: warm ups and landings. If you want to start practicing Parkour and freerunning safely as a beginner, this lesson is a great place to start.
Assignment:
One fundamental movement of both Parkour and Freerunning is the Vault. The Vault is a basic maneuver that you can use to safely hurdle over obstacles, including low walls, railings and fences. If you are looking for a movement that will allow you to navigate the landscape while maintaining your forward momentum, this is it! In this fun and quick lesson, you learn how to do the Speed, Reverse and Monkey Vaults.
Assignment:
Ready to learn how to do a side flip? In this lesson, teacher Christopher Tung uses stop-action footage to show you exactly how to take off and jump higher. You'll see how to position your arms to generate torque when spinning, control your tuck, and spot the ground for a smooth landing. With some practice, you'll be able to add this trick to your free running and parkour moves!
Assignment:
Parkour is a free-style method of exercise and exploration, in which an individual propels him- or herself through a urban landscape using only their surroundings and their own body—it requires agility and good form in order to prevent injury. In this lesson from Zoic Nation, learn how to do a parkour cat grab. Andy starts by outlining baby steps to get started with, as well as the often-injurious mistakes that people often make, before demonstrating a perfect cat grab.
Assignment:
Both a “punch” and a “plyo” are two-footed jumps in the sport of parkour. But a plyo is not a punch. In this lesson from Zoic Nation, learn how to do a plyometric jump, safely. Andy demonstrates how to step into a plyo (instead of hopping or hurdling into it) for a quiet landing on the balls of your feet, as well as how to swing your arms forward into your jump for momentum. Finally, he illustrates common mistakes that people make and shows what a well-executed plyo should look like.
Assignment:
Add a splash of color to your life (and your walls) by painting the perfect accent stripe! Part 1 of 3, this lesson from painter Russ Olinatz shows you how to prepare the wall for painting by measuring and taping off your horizontal stripe with the help of a ruler, laser level, and colored pencil. Learn to line your stripe with tape - like the pros - for nice crisp edges.
Assignment:
Gearing up for Thanksgiving and the holiday season, it’s important to be ready with a solid turkey recipe for the many feasts to come. Whether it’s your first time cooking a whole turkey or last year’s recipe didn’t cut it, there’s no shame in looking for some guidance. Learn how to butterfly and cook your bird to perfection with a flavorful brine, fresh herbs and spices, and the right grilling techniques in this lesson by Sunset Magazine.
Assignment:
Interested in making over your old furniture? Give your chairs new life by reupholstering them with the O'Neil Sisters! Jennifer and Kitty will teach you how to refinish your chair with spray paint, how to choose the right upholstery fabric, and how to recover the cushion to give your outdated or vintage chair an updated look.
Assignment:
Taking your dog for a walk is a great way for both of you to get some exercise, but walking your dog can be a challenge if it does not heel at your side, and instead insists on pulling you in the direction tit want to go. However, according to Nigel Reed, London Dog Listener, a dog will only exhibit this behavior if it believes that it are the leader. Learn how to correct this behavior with Nigel’s ten-step tutorial. Soon you’ll have the best-behaved dog in the neighborhood!
Assignment:
Mix up your style with this flirtatious play on the traditional braid. Learn how to part, braid, and pin your hair for a look so easy that you might surprise even yourself! As versatile as it is fun, this look can be paired with lace for sophisticated bridal hair - or with summer flowers for a casual style worthy of a day in the park. Keep this updo in your back pocket as a perfect fix for those bed-head bad-hair days!
For more beauty and style tips, check out the [Milkmaid Braid](http://www.pinkpistachio.com/the-milkmaid-braid) post on Pink Pistachio's blog.
Assignment:
Knowledge of HTML 5 is necessary for any contemporary web developer. Understanding where it came from will help you understand what this still-emerging programming language can accomplish and where it’s going. In this introductory lesson to HTML 5 and CSS, Mark Lassoff from LearnToProgram.tv gives an overview of HTML, the programming language that is the foundation of both websites and web applications. He covers HTML 4.01, XHTML, and HTML 5, as well as the design element of web design, CSS.
Assignment:
Need a great gift for a cold climate? Crochet fabulous fabric! Part 1 of 2, this lesson from Yarn Obsession teaches a variation on the single crochet cluster stitch. The cluster combines single crochet and chain stitches, and creates a lovely lace effect and rich texture. This step-by-step demonstration is easy to follow and will have you crocheting merrily away before you know it!
Assignment:
Want to avoid (or recover from) a cold, but tired of synthetic solutions? In this lesson, eco-conscious vegan Whitney Lauritsen teaches you how a natural diet and lifestyle can help keep you healthy. Learn what foods to eat and which to avoid in order to strengthen your immune system. Discover why locally grown food has more nutrients, and why you should incorporate raw food into every meal. Hear some greener alternatives to chemical sanitizers and drugs and learn about natural cold remedies.
Assignment:
Inspired by the leading ladies of Mad Men? Achieve their classic cat eye look by following the beauty tips outlined in this lesson. Learn how to smoothly apply eye makeup to create a beautiful and subtle look that can be worn day or night. Spoiler alert! Use a counter or table to steady your hand as you apply your eyeliner - this will help avoid wobbly lines!
For more beauty and style tips, check out the [Cat Eye](http://www.pinkpistachio.com/the-cat-eye/) post on Pink Pistachio's blog.
Assignment:
Turn heads with your fabulous booty! In this lesson from Kacie Fischer, learn how to shape and tone a fabulous derrière using only a weight and a pair of good shoes. Kacie shows you how to maximize three drills that target your glutes: the single arm snatch, the reverse lunge, and squat jumps (and remember, if a drill uses only one arm or leg at a time, make the most of your workout and repeat the drill with the other arm or leg). Maximize this workout for a perfectly sculpted backside!
Assignment:
Missing your play dough days? Try the grown-up version: clay sculpting! The third in a series of four, this lesson teaches you to condition your clay using a roller and your hands so that it won't dry out or crack. Once it’s ready, learn to cut your clay safely with a blade, and then blend different clays and inclusions (such as glitter) to create the perfect shade for your art project.
Assignment:
Knowing how to handle a chef’s knife is an important culinary skill. All too often the slicing and dicing of ingredients is considered a challenge or a chore, discouraging many from making home-cooked meals. In this lesson, you’ll learn chef knife safety and how to use the rolling and up-and-down techniques effectively. Take on new recipes and culinary adventures with confidence!
Assignment:
Did you know how important the pole plant is to great skiing technique? Many people make the mistake of planting poles too late and become unbalanced as a result—don’t become one of them! Instead, learn the optimum time to add support from your poles from this pole plant ski drill. Proper pole technique not only stabilizes your body through a turn, but also ensures that you don’t turn up the hill you just came down.
Assignment:
Maybe you aren’t a graphic artist yet, but do you dream of one day animating a Disney Pixar blockbuster? If you are interested in digital animation, but have zero experience in the field, start with the basics. In this introduction to the 3ds Max series, Jerry Gonzalez gives you a quick overview of his series on animating in the program—follow each tutorial closely and put in practice time, and you’ll be creating complex models and 3D animations (and maybe the next blockbuster) in no time!
Assignment:
Have you always admired a friend’s skills at the piano and wished you could play too? Perhaps you are intimidated by the notation, or think sheet music is just too difficult to learn. Music theory doesn’t have to be hard. In this lesson, Michael demystifies the language of music and explains how to interpret which notes form a specific chord. Mastering chord notation will not only improve your playing, but will help you grasp how music works for when you begin to compose your own masterpieces.
Assignment:
If you are skilled at teaching and have knowledge that you want to share, learn how to educate others by making the best lesson possible! This lesson from Curious Teacher Support is designed to help you grasp the fundamentals of shooting a lesson, from how to light your filming environment (no matter where it is), to recording the highest quality audio possible, to how to frame your shots for maximum impact. We know you’ve got something to say, so say it well with a quality lesson.
Assignment:
Learn how to build the main piano chords—major, minor, diminished, and augmented—that form the basis of harmony. The second in a series of seven, this lesson will teach you how to recognize and play bright and dark interval patterns to achieve musical chords that are frequently used in both the harmony and melody of songs. Once you have learned these patterns, you are well on your way to mastering any chord you encounter in piano music!
Assignment:
Whether you are starting from seed or seedling, Sunset Magazine shows you how to choose, grow, and harvest edible plants. Pick the right container, sow seeds, and transplant your crops without damaging the roots; before you know it, you’ll be feeding your family healthy veggies straight from the garden. This lesson features chard, beet greens, and lettuce.
Assignment:
Learn how to create a journal as unique as you are, with customized pages and cover. In this lesson from Aly is Writing, discover the basics of bookbinding. Start by folding index cards and nesting five cards at a time to create a “folio;” put three to five folios together to form a “signature.” Then learn how to punch holes in your signature and bind everything together before creating a custom cover and spine. The finished product will be perfect for displaying and capturing your creativity.
Assignment:
The game of chess has persisted in relevance for centuries because it forces players to use the fundamental elements of time, space, and force. In this lesson, William Karneges discusses different strategies: leveraging these elements, checking your opponent’s king (using not only common means like back rank weakness, but by making supporting pieces like your rook and knight work together), and avoid unsatisfying stalemate.
Assignment: