How can I get started with freerunning/parkour?

I have wanted to get into this for over 2 years, now, and haven't really tried much. I am pretty muscular, well in shape (although less so, recently, due to having been in a car accident), and have good endurance. I do a lot of stuff ranging from running and biking to volleyball and ultimate frisbee in my free time, so, there's no great shortage of physical activity.

But, how do I get started doing parkour-type stuff? What're some easy exercises? Ways to work on balance and flexibility? I'd really like to learn how to do cool stuff like jump long distances, run up a wall...eh, neat stuff like that. It looks like, and I've heard it is, a lot of fun.

I've wanted to do it for a long while too, and I've just started getting into it. Firstly I'll tell you that Parkour and Freerunning are two different things. Parkour is all about efficiency and flow, getting from one place to another as efficiently as possible, this may mean ducking under railings, jumping off roofs etc. Freerunning however is all about making the world your playground, while it may follow a run as it would in Parkour, it is inefficient as it contains direction reversals and flips. So now that's out of the way...

The best way to start is to literally go out there and have fun, get some friends and make the world your playground. A good way to start would be climbing trees. Monkey Vaults are easy too (they're the ones where you place your hands on a wall and push while your legs go through your hands). You can find many tutorials on Google and Youtube.

You will build up the necessary muscle, balance and flexibility the more you practice. But exercises can speed up the process, just don't do too much or you will strain yourself. A good exercise for parkour would be doing push-ups and pull-ups, they work your upper body. Also, skipping is good as it works your calves and will give you a higher jump. Remember to stretch before you do anything though, you don't want to pull a muscle while doing Parkour/Freerunning.

Yes it looks very fun, yet very dangrous. Look around your city/town for differtnent class. They might be hard since that not a very common thing. Google it and see if theres any classs or anything. Thats all I can think of sorry...