Defying gravity: (Clockwise) Justin Kilic, Jimmy James Pham, Joe Carboni, Natalie Siri and Ali Kadhim, who will perform at the Australian Dance Awards. Photo: Michele Mossop

When the challenge is to get from A to B the fastest way possible, Ali Kadhim has the solution. But be prepared, as it will involve backflips off buildings and somersaults through the air.

Kadhim is no gymnast, acrobat or breakdancer, but something in between: he is a professional athlete of parkour, a training practice involving rapid movement through any environment.

The concept behind parkour is to overcome all obstacles in your path, mental or physical, using your body and mind to run, climb, jump and vault.

In flight: Jimmy James Pham performs flips. Photo: Michele Mossop

"Its all about being able to control your body, to be consistent with your movements and to repeat them over and over again," said Kadhim, 27, who taught himself by watching YouTube videos of parkour artists bouncing off walls around the world.

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Kadhim's crew, Team 9Lives, has taken parkour and turned it into a dance form, performing on the streets andat events like Bring It On festival in Fairfield.The group even appeared on Australia's Got Talent in 2010. Next week they will flip, jump and dive their way across their biggest stage yet, the Sydney Opera House, sharing performing duties with the likes of the Australian Ballet and Sydney Dance Company at the annual Australian Dance Awards.

Kadhim says he is thrilled for the opportunity, but he does this to give the youth of Western Sydney a chanceto socialise and remain active.

Off the wall: Team 9Lives founder Ali Kadhim. Photo: Michele Mossop

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Team 9Lives takes street parkour to the Opera House stage