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:
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:
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:
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...
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:
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.
Assignment:
Raphael’s painting, “The School of Athens” depicts two of the founding fathers of western philosophy, Plato and Aristotle, surrounded by other famed intellectuals from various years and countries, all in a very Roman space. It’s a visually pleasing painting, but what does it mean? What was Raphael’s purpose for creating it? In this art history lesson, learn the meaning behind “The School of Athens,” as well as the physics behind the hallmark of Roman architecture: the arch.
Assignment:
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.
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:
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:
Sometimes all it takes to turn a bad habit into a good one is a bit of mindfulness. In this lesson, learn several techniques for eating healthy by paying attention to the food on your plate. Darya Rose, author and creator of Summer Tomato, explains how even small environmental tweaks like low light and soft, slow music can improve your eating habits.
Assignment:
Stir-frying is one of the simplest and most versatile methods of cooking. The technique does require planning and preparation, but each successive stir-fry you create will increase your confidence and improve your timing when it comes to cooking ingredients. In this lesson, learn what the five main components of a stir-fry are, and how they can be used to create infinite flavor combinations. Heavy on vegetables, stir-fries are some of the healthiest, quickest, and most delicious meals to make.
Assignment:
Carving a turkey has never been so easy! Learn how to cut roast chicken, duck, or turkey for any formal occasion, including Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. This online tutorial from Rouxbe Cooking School will teach you how to carve your poultry, whether you’re carving at the table or in the kitchen. Use these tips and you’ll be able to offer guests a clean thigh, drumstick, wing, or breast at your next holiday dinner.
Assignment:
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.
Assignment:
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.
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:
Viva la salsa! This video will teach you how to dance salsa and do turns like a champion - in the privacy of your own home! This dance lesson breaks down all the moves of a basic turn - in a fun and simple way. First, you will learn the steps without music, and then with music. Learning how to salsa was never easier!
Assignment:
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.
Assignment:
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!
Already learned to brew beer and ready to keg it? This lesson - perfect for a beginner beer brewer - gives step-by-step instructions for the kegging process. James Reed discusses the equipment and supplies you’ll need and walks through step-by-step instructions for how to keg beer, including how to clean and sanitize your keg.
Assignment:
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.
Assignment:
Everybody was Kung Fu fighting... And soon, you will be too! In this intro lesson, Master Wong walks you through the basic moves and philosophies of Wing Chun. This close-combat Chinese martial art is a great self-defense technique. Learn some stretches and exercises to warm-up, then jump into an energy drill to practice holding the line of your body when striking and pushing. See a grab and pull that can divert your opponent, and get tips on moving your feet without losing control of your body.
Assignment:
How does a law with majority support not end up getting passed? In this lesson, Hip Hughes explains what the filibuster is: where it came from, and how it is used by a Senate minority group to prevent a law from being passed. The filibuster has changed a lot since the days when Mr. Smith went to Washington; with this information, you can decide whether or not that is for the best.
Assignment:
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.
Assignment: