Led by Fairfield resident Ali Kadhim, 23, these people are practising parkour.

Parkour is a physical activity discipline that originated in France.

It has become increasingly popular throughout the world as a combination of breakdancing, gymnastics and Jackie Chan-style martial arts.

It involves running, jumping, balancing and vaulting

or climbing over obstacles.

``We're the biggest parkour group in west Sydney, with 20 to 35 people turning up to every training session,'' he said.

At Fairfield Park, Mr Kadhim and his group, called 9Lives, show students how to climb up walls, vault over handrails and somersault off fences.

Mr Kadhim is self-taught and began practising parkour about six years ago after seeing a documentary on the art.

``Before this I did six years of martial arts, which

has really helped,'' he said.

Mr Kadhim and 9Lives not only teach others but are also busy promoting parkour.

''We just shot an in-flight documentary for Qantas. A promo we made for a shoe company is in post production and we're filming a music video next week.''

The group is negotiating with Fairfield Council for building a purpose-built parkour park.

``It wouldn't be that difficult and it'd have some soft walls for kids to practise against, rails and monkey bars.''

''It'd have some soft walls for kids to practise against, rails and monkey bars.''