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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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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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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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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Did you know that Saint Patrick was actually British? What about the fact that he was once a slave, and escaped to study and become a bishop? Or that his given name was actually Maewyn Succat? In this lesson from Jeremiah Warren, unleash your inner Irish by learning all about the life and legends of the man who spent thirty years travelling Ireland converting pagans to Christianity.
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Learn about Saint Patrick and submit a photo or video showing how you celebrated the holiday!
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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Confused about why there are electoral votes in US presidential elections? Learn about the Electoral College and the part it plays in choosing the president. In this lesson, HipHughes will explain how electoral votes work, how they are allocated, and why the media pays such close attention to the election map.
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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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Drawing can be difficult and intimidating if you weren’t born with the hand of an artist, but like every other skill, it can be learned through exercise and repetition. In this lesson from Drawing Teachers, Michael teaches about 3D elements such as the vanishing point and horizon line while showing you step-by-step how to draw a 3D house. For this exercise, you’ll need a paper, ruler, pencil, and pen. Once you master this lesson, you’ll be able to draw any boxy design in 3D.
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Besides masculinity, the beard has long denoted wisdom and a philosophical soul. However, despite the distinguished air a beard can lend to its wearer, a poorly groomed beard may also make the wearer appear slovenly and unkempt. Never fear though—instead, take the guesswork out of your grooming! Learn the most classic and popular styles of beard; Sciascia’s Salon’s Donna Gillis demonstrates how to achieve each beard style (the natural, classic, and urban beards and the Van Dyke).
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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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Learn how scientists discovered DNA and determined its function, composition, and structure. The first in a series of eight, this lesson will teach you about the major experiments that led to our understanding of DNA as the physical basis for heredity. Craig will also teach you about the chemical structure of DNA and recent advances in genetic study - including cloning Dolly the sheep!
Watch the rest of this series to learn about DNA replication, protein synthesis, and gene control.
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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!
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Curious about the vast world of wine? Start by learning the fundamentals. Sunset Magazine walks you through the basics of processed Vitis vinifera, from choosing the best corkscrews and wine glasses to determining tasting notes. You’ll also learn how to aerate vintages and save a half-empty bottle of wine for another day.
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Do you love Korean BBQ? Now you can grill Korean style beef at home following this simple recipe - and you don’t even need a barbecue to make this delicious treat! Learn how to marinade your beef in soy sauce, sesame oil, green onion, red pepper flakes, honey, and garlic. Honeysuckle Catering teaches you how to grill your beef perfectly.
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How can we know if what we perceive is real? What's the difference between true belief and knowledge? Socrates tackles these philosophical questions and more in Plato’s cave allegory. This lesson offers an illustrated explanation of the allegory - in which a prisoner is kept facing a wall, seeing only shadow puppets and hearing only echoes. It’s all he has ever known, until he is dragged from the cave and sees the sun. Learn what happens when he returns to explain to his fellow prisoners...
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Pesto is a versatile Italian sauce—traditionally used on pizzas or pasta, it makes an excellent spread on sandwiches, potatoes or even fish (Chef Pesto prefers his on salmon). While there are many other ways to incorporate this sauce into your food, pesto itself is easy and quick to make. Chef Pesto prepares a basic recipe that can be augmented to satisfy your flavor cravings. Simple enough for a child to make, but delicious enough for everyone, enjoy some fresh pesto with dinner tonight!
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A thesis statement is the first and most important piece of any essay—whether you call it a controlling idea or a unifying concept, your paper must have one. But a thesis doesn’t just state your position on whatever matter you are writing about; it also provides a road map for constructing the body of your essay, an outline for you to follow. In this lesson from David Taylor, learn a simple formula to create a thesis; once you have a solid thesis, your paper will be a delight to write.
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Your favorite jeans may be expensive, or maybe they just fit perfectly. But just because a hole appears in your favorite Levis or Lucky’s doesn’t mean that you need to retire them. Extend the life of your jeans (and save some cash while you are at it) by learning how to repair them. All you need is a thick piece of cloth, scissors, straight pins, thread and the zig zag stitch on your sewing machine. They may not last forever, but your favorite jeans just got a new lease on life.
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Take a picture to show off your new sewing skills! Don't have a pair of jeans to repair? Try using a scrap piece of fabric instead!
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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How do you determine right from wrong when human lives are on the line? Follow along with Professor Massimo Pigliucci as he considers the philosophical and neurobiological answers to this question. This lesson offers a review of Aristotle's virtue ethics, Kant's deontology, and Bentham and Mill's utilitarianism, and then analyzes the classic philosophical thought experiment, the Trolley Dilemma. Learn how different parts of the brain are used for making rational versus emotional moral judgments.
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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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Want to improve your running in a way that doesn’t involve grueling exercises? Setting goals is a wonderful way to become a better runner, but Coach Tief is here to tell you that the quality of the goal matters. Often, goals are not attainable or not specific enough. But with Coach Tief’s SMART goals sheet, you will be running better, and increasing your confidence and sense of self worth. Start setting and achieving your goals today (link to SMART goal sheet available)!
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Create designer wallpaper without designer prices! This lesson from Cutting Edge Stencils teaches you how to use stencils, paint, tape, and rollers to make easy but original and elegant wallpaper patterns. Learn how to eyeball your stencil placement, layer multiple stencils, and decorate your wall without trouble or mess. This lesson also covers bending stencils around floors and ceilings to get a natural wallpaper look.
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