What is gymnastics? / By Jakob Bolin.

  • Bolin, Jakob, 1863-1914.
Date:
1902
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: What is gymnastics? / By Jakob Bolin. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    7/32 page 5
    What Is Gymnastics? “The grandfather of the German Turnen” defined gymnastics as “a system of exercises having bodily per- fection for aim.” It is convenient to use this definition as a starting point in elucidating what might properly be embraced in the term. It may perhaps by many be con- sidered pedantic to spend time in endeavoring to define closely such a term with the contents of which all of us are supposed to be perfectly familiar. But it may be ex- cused on the ground that nothing is more conducive to sterile discussions than ambiguity in the terms employed, and that frequently a great deal of time and worry may be saved by our going back occasionally to the very elements of our conceptions in order to criticize them in the light of the new experiences we may have gained since their first formation, experiences which often will be found of such nature as to force us to modify some- what the terms in which we have been wont to express them. In considering the definition of Guts Muths, it may be well to note first what the word exercises implies. That it here means repeated endeavors to execute certain movements of the body or to maintain it in certain posi- tions, we easily agree. But already Galen made the statement that “every movement is not an exercise.” And though in our day we may be unanimous in oppos-
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3