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:
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:
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.
Assignment:
Want others to join your quest toward health and wellness? By framing healthy habits positively and avoiding criticism of others’ lifestyles, you can advance your own eating habits and get others interested in eating healthy, too. Darya Rose, author and creator of Summer Tomato, reveals the best ways to talk to friends, family members, and kids about healthy choices.
Assignment:
Brave the great outdoors with these wilderness survival tips! In this second of two lessons, Dave Canterbury from The Pathfinder School teaches you two crucial elements of survival: water and fire. Learn to recognize the signs of dehydration, and to filter or boil water so that it is safe to drink in just three minutes. Learn the right technique for creating a fire with waterproof tinder, kindling, and fuel. Be sure to carry a stainless steel water container, waterproof bag, lighter, and tinder.
Assignment:
Create an elegant clutch to match any outfit! This lesson from Professor Pincushion takes you through every step of transferring the pattern, cutting, lining, and sewing a silk purse with a metal frame (no sow's ear required). Learn how to embellish your external fabric with a folded design, and then embroider the lazy daisy stitch on the corner of your purse. The lesson comes with a downloadable pattern for the purse, and the video includes handy tips for stitching corners.
Assignment:
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.
Assignment:
You want to play golf, but your friend wants go surfing, and you'd both rather be together than not. It is in your best interest to make the same decision, but you have a few options, and you have to decide without knowing your friend's decision. Learn how to run a mixed strategy algorithm to determine if there is a mixed strategy equilibria. Once you can calculate the payoffs for a mixed strategy, you can make an educated decision and choose the option with the highest probability of success.
Assignment:
Want to store your stuff with style? Crafty Gemini teaches you how to stitch your very own quilted zipper pouch with boxy corners. All that you'll need is two kinds of fabric, batting, a lapel stick, a zipper, and a sewing machine. These bags are easy to make and perfect to use as pencil cases, make-up bags, travel dop kits, or what you will. This video offers handy tips for sewing zippers onto fabric using a zipper foot.
Assignment:
You've set up Twitter, Facebook, blog, and Pinterest accounts for your business... so why is nothing happening? In this lesson from Lyra Communications, learn how long social media marketing takes to kick in, and why. While advertising results in a sudden spike then fall in interest, social media builds interest gradually over time, particularly for start-ups. Get estimates on how long it will take to see an impact, and find out why social media is worth the investment despite the wait.
Assignment:
From gathering tools and materials to devising a final script, planning a high-quality lesson is a challenge. If you’re having trouble, take some tips from crafting experts and producers of over a dozen Curious lessons, the O’Neil Sisters. Whether you are thinking about creating your own how-to videos or you’d like to improve the quality of an upcoming series, use these tips and tricks to create clear, structured, and attractive lessons.
Assignment:
Knowing your way around a sewing machine opens up a whole new world of creativity! From clothing to home décor to customized gifts, sewing provides you with a range of opportunities to use your skills, save money, and bring your artistic designs to life. In this sewing lesson, Mimi G shows you around a sewing machine, explaining the most basic functions that most machines are equipped to do, describes the most necessary tools you’ll need to begin, and teaches you how to read a pattern.
Assignment:
Do you love the film, characters, and soundtrack of “Frozen”? Then try learning Idina Menzel’s version of “Let It Go” on guitar, taught by Smiley Mo! This intermediate guitar lesson covers all the chords you need to know to play this song through and through, from the intro to the last note. Practice the strumming patterns and perform your new song for friends and family!
Assignment:
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.
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:
Patina is the result of the process of oxidation on certain metals and glass; changing the material’s appearance over time, making it appear aged or tarnished. But with the process of patination you can also intentionally create beautiful designs or patterns on a surface, by using chemicals to speed up the oxidation process. Learn how make attractive custom art pieces for your home in this three part series from Royal Design Studio. Begin by familiarizing yourself with the chemicals and tools!
Assignment:
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.
Assignment:
Pack a lunch that packs a punch using these reusable snack bags! Crafty Gemini teaches you how to make a sandwich bag that is easily cleaned and environmentally friendly using only basic sewing skills. All you'll need is an 18 by 7 inch piece of laminated cotton and a sewing machine. While laminated cotton has the advantage of being waterproofed and easy to wipe clean, you also can use plain old cotton fabric for this project and just toss it in the washing machine between uses.
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:
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:
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!
Assignment: