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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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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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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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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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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Parkour star Alireza Japalaghy's video landed him in hot water with Iranian authorities for violating public decency laws, forcing him to escape to Turkey. The possibility of extradition back to Iran has human rights activists concerned. Produced by: Durrie Bouscaren. Image credit: Screenshot from Radio France Internaional via YouTube video.
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For archery enthusiasts, knowing how to start and finish a bowstring serving is necessary to maintain your equipment. In this lesson from Wheelie Pete, learn how to do this simple upkeep, beginning by laying the tail end of the string and wrapping the serving, and ending with a technique known as backserving. To get the job done, Wheelie Pete recommends the Arizona Archery Enterprise serving jig. Bonus: this same technique is also good for peep sides!
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How can you win when playing Rock, Paper, Scissors? Not with a pure strategy, that’s for sure! This lesson from William Spaniel's Game Theory 101 series teaches you the theory behind this classic game. Do the math and check the payoffs to discover why you just can't beat randomness. Bummer, right? Learn about cycling arguments and why equal payoffs mean you can't easily pin down even a mixed strategy Nash equilibrium.
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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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Learn how to do your first 50/50—from the proper stance, to how much edge to use. Begin by drawing a box on the snow, and graduate to real boxes and rails when you are ready. Snowboard Addiction also gives suggestions for which types of features to attempt your first 50/50 on. Once a 50/50 is no big deal, learn how to ollie onto features or throw a 180 on the end of the trick. The key to mastering the 50/50 is the “solid riding stance”. Note: this lesson is geared towards regular foot riders.
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Are you not content to just fill a scrapbook? Make your own scrapbook from scratch! In this exclusive Curious lesson, crafting expert Erin Bassett teaches you how to fold, cut, and glue paper to make a colorful and original tiny book. You'll need a 12-inch square piece of paper, a scoring board or ruler, scissors, and glue. You can even paint or decorate your paper before making your book to add a specific color or design.
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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.
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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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Before you set out on your next adventure in the great outdoors, make sure you have the right food—and enough of it! Elaine Johnson, associate food editor at Sunset magazine, reveals what to prep ahead, why you should use a grocery list, how to pack a cooler to keep fragile foods safe and secure, and more. With all of the meals squared away in advance, you can spend less time hovering over the grill and more time enjoying the fresh air.
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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!
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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.
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So you want to create a mixed media video, combining raw film footage with animated characters (think Angry Birds in real life). It might take a lot of time and work, but it is worth the effort to do it the right way. Take the time, and you can create a compelling, realistic yet fantastical effect. In this lesson Tom Antos, provides a basic overview of what it takes (time, skill, commitment, and more) to integrate a cartoon style animation with video footage.
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Javascript is not only one of the main languages used in contemporary web development, but it also has many non-web based applications, from.pdf files to desktop widgets. Thus, Javascript is an extremely versatile and valuable language to have command of. In this lesson, Mark from LearnToProgram.tv demonstrates how to begin coding with Javascript, as well as how to test your code using a text editor (Mark recommends Komodo Edit). Finally, learn how to use Javascript to manipulate HTML pages.
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Labor needn't be scary if you practice and prepare. This lesson from Oh Baby! Fitness can help women get ready for childbirth by teaching coordinated breathing and pushing. Learn which muscles to tense and which to relax when pushing a child during labor - how to engage the abdominals and relax the pelvic floor (push with your gut, not with your butt!). This video also includes a breathing exercise to practice controlling the right muscles.
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Running may seem easy and natural, but it does requires proper technique if you wish to not injure or harm your body along the way. In this fifth and final lesson on improving running form, Oliver Henzler explains how you can avoid overstriding. Some people overstride because of a shortened Achilles tendon; regardless of why you overstride, minimalist running shoes or zero drop shoes naturally help you improve your form. Learn how to run correctly, and your body will thank you later.
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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.
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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.
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The night sky is a place of unfathomable size, home to nearly infinite stars and planets, most of which are invisible to the naked eye. But don’t just ponder the infinite beauty—become acquainted with the celestial bodies and constellations in this star gazing lesson by David Fuller. Learn how to locate features in the sky using coordinates similar to the longitude and latitude applied to the earth, how a star’s brightness (or magnitude) is measured, and finally how to measure distances using your own hand.
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Get a forehand tennis swing like just the pros! In this lesson, Rachael from Full Swing Tennis teaches you all about the modern forehand in four easy steps. Learn about the semi-western grip, which can allow for extra topspin. The lesson also covers dropping your racket for the backswing, rotating your waist and shoulders, and swinging through with your non-hitting hand. Be sure to keep your weight on your inside foot as you step out for the swing.
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What's causing your poor posture? Is it laziness? Respiratory issues? An inflexible spine? A neck that's not in proper alignment? In this lesson, neuromuscular therapist Holistic Sam explains the condition excessive thoracic kyphosis, addressing both its causes and its potential treatments. There may be exercises that can help with your posture and back pain!
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Indulge your inner mad scientist by experimenting with and creating shapes out of magnets and ferrofluid, a black liquid present in the earth's crust. Discover the science behind this magnetic rare earth, hear how to make your own ferrofluid at home (including a portable version encased in water), learn how to alter and complicate your ferrofluid designs, and get tips on how to tidy up after your project (as every good mad scientist should).
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