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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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You've reached the top of your climbing wall, so how do you get over it without unsightly and unsafe rolling and flailing? Learn the dos and don'ts of topping out. This lesson from Rock Climb Tips explains how to top out with a vertical body, stepping over the wall with good foot placements and avoiding 'beaching the whale'. The video also covers planning for your fall by predicting your landing and placing a crash pad.
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Learn to take beautiful abstract photos of smoke. This lesson explains how to light smoke and set the correct exposure settings for great pictures - all without the use of a tripod. Phillip also teaches you how to process photos of smoke using Adobe Photoshop to create beautiful frameable photographs.
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Want to wow the world with the quality HD video you could be shooting with that iPhone in your pocket? This lesson will teach you the basics of shooting video on your iPhone 4, 4s, or 5. Once you are familiar with the camera app, learn how to hold and focus the camera, and how to view an accurate display of your video. Ready to shoot? Finish this lesson by learning ways to stabilize your camera to make your online video or tutorial appear smooth and fluid.
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Did you know that transplanting plants at the wrong time of day or into dry soil conditions can send them into shock? For many plants, the trip from the nursery to your container garden can be a stressful experience. Sunset Magazine shows you how and when to transplant so that your plants thrive in their new home.
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Want to make your own beautiful lace shirt? This lesson from Boat People teaches you to make a caftan or box top style lace shirt with just lace, scissors, pins, a needle, and thread! Learn how to fold your lace, cut out your neck hole (be sure to check the fit), and sew up the sides, leaving sleeves or arm holes. These stylish shirts look great over a colorful tank top or sports bra.
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Holidays and birthdays often mean expensive travel plans and gifts. If you are working to pay down your debt and are on a strict budget, you may be tempted to call the occasional birthday meal out or housewarming gift an “emergency,” justifying the use of a credit card to make the purchase. Instead of digging yourself deeper in debt, create a “sinking fund”! Learn how to plan all year for expected expenses, so that you don’t find yourself in a financial crisis come the holidays.
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Improve your rock climbing with these helpful hints about employing your center of gravity! This lesson from Rock Climb Tips teaches you how to find the balance point in your body, which tends to be different for men and women. Learn how to position your hand and your body around holds to keep your balance, use the diagonal of your body to maximize your reach, and compensate for any loss in balance.
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Want to look and feel better? Strengthen your core and expand your horizons by exploring this introductory Pilates workout! The exercises in this lesson from Sean Vigue of Motley Fitness can be performed anywhere, and include: the Pilates 100 warm-up; back and spine stretches; on-the-back movements; the sphinx pose, dart pose, and child's pose; and side bends and stretches. This lesson also shows how to improve your form and breathing - perfect for the Pilates beginner.
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Now that your granite countertop has been cut and polished, learn how to score and cut out the circular sink and faucet holes. In this third and final installment of the series from Paul’s Toolbox, learn how to finish creating your own custom granite countertop, as well as how to avoid costly and unsightly errors frequently made while cutting curved lines. Once your holes are cut and resealed, simply drop in in your sink and faucet, and give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.
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Lost in the woods? No need to resort to trails of bread crumbs! This lesson from Roadside Nature shows you the correct way to hold, use, and read a compass to scout your way home. Point the compass forward, keeping it level with the ground. Ensure that there are no metallic objects or electricity sources nearby, as these can interfere with your compass. Learn about the Quadrant and Azimuth methods of finding a specific direction.
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If your creativity can't be constrained to a single ink color, try sponge daubing on stamps - where sponges are used to blend many colors directly onto the stamp. This lesson from Fabulously Artsy Studio reviews the different types of sponges and offers tips on how to sponge daub. Be sure to apply the lighter color first, followed by the darker colors!
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Do you love Greek mythology and the art of ancient Greece? Learn about a mythic monster from the Classical World, the original femme-fatale, the Gorgon Medusa. Through Greek sculpture, painting and poetry, this lesson explores Medusa’s lineage, background, and tragic curse. In this lesson, Lucas Livingston, a historian at the Art Institute of Chicago, discusses the possible origins of this haunting myth. As Lucas tells the tale of Medusa, he will also cover the Clash of the Titans, Perseus, Poseidon, and Athena.
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Become familiar with the tools and materials required to solder. This lesson teaches you the proper way to cut, clean, and deburr pipe, and demonstrates proper flux application (flux is not only for the pipes you are soldering, but also for the pipe fitting). After watching Seth demonstrate with ½ in. copper pipe, you will be well on your way to safe soldering, and repairing your own plumbing in no time!
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Well aware of your cinematic genius, your talented musician friends have asked you to create an artistic and thought provoking visual counterpart to one of their songs. Naturally, you want this music video to demonstrate your unparalleled creativity and skill—so you decide to shoot their music video in one take! This type of production requires plenty of planning and practice, but learn how to do it, and the end result will have everyone marveling at your abilities and wondering how you did it.
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There’s nothing quite like biting into a vine-ripened organic tomato—no store-bought fruit can compare! Tomatoes are not a high maintenance crop, growing quickly given adequate sun and water. But to ensure high fruit yields as well as a healthy plant, learn about pruning and diseases that affect tomatoes. In this lesson, California organic gardener Trisha teaches you when and how to prune your plant, and how to avoid common problems like cracking or leathery skin, blotchy ripening, and blight.
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Though the creation of art is not formulaic, it does require more than luck and raw talent. In this photography tutorial, Ted Forbes discusses the elements required to create art, focusing on composition and the guideline known as the Rule of Thirds. Forbes illustrates the “golden mean” with examples by famous photographer Arnold Newman.
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Want to improve your forehand swing in tennis? In this lesson from Jeff Salzenstein, a professional tennis coach from Total Tennis Training, learn to avoid a common problem with your ready position that results in a weak forehand swing. Learn to space your hands and place one on the throat of your racket—so that you can extend your left arm more easily on the first swing. This trick can make your tennis swing more efficient and accurate.
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Think that all you need is a good camera and a good bit of know-how in order to take great pictures? While that might be true, a tripod is a tool that can help improve your photography skills—and not just for portraits. In this photography lesson, Julie Waterhouse offers two reasons why you should use a tripod the next time you are out shooting.
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Comment allez-vous? Learn French Now! makes learning conversational French easy by teaching common phrases for informal greetings. Build your French vocabulary with greetings, conversation starters, and pleasantries. Whether you're going on a trip to Paris or just want to learn French for fun, this lesson will teach you the vocabulary to get the conversation started.
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Sunset Magazine takes you on a guided tour of red wine from the Old World (Europe, for the uninitiated), from Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Rhône to Italy and the southern tip of Spain. Whether you like big and structured wines, or light and fruity is your thing, the Continent has a centuries’ old recipe for you. Learn about each region’s history, winemaking styles, and dig deep into several common varietals, such as: cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir, and nebbiolo.
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