In the most recent James Bond film, Casino Royale, viewers are treated to an amazing demonstration of agility and physical prowess -- and no, ladies, I'm not referring to actor Daniel Craig's formidable physique. Rather, early in the film an extended, nail-biting action sequence takes place, showcasing the acrobatic and almost gravity-defying abilities possessed by practitioners of the physical art form known as Parkour.

Founded by David Belle in France, Parkour (which means "the art of displacement" in English) is an activity with the aim of moving from one point to another as efficiently and quickly as possible, principally using the abilities of the human body. It is meant to help a person overcome obstacles found in their surrounding environment -- from tree branches and large rocks to metal railings and concrete walls.

Parkour -- which is somewhat similar to Free Running, though careful distinctions do exist -- requires an enormous amount of strength, balance, agility and confidence to perform safely. Unlike traditional acrobatics or gymnastics, Parkour is not confined to any particular set of moves and has no set of rules, formal hierarchy, or competitions. Nevertheless, becoming proficient in Parkour requires an equal amount of dedication and command of the body.

If you don't have the Bond film in your NetFlix queue and would still like to see some examples of Parkour, click here for a link to several video clips. Who knows -- maybe there's a Parkour practitioner in you just dying to get out!!