A B C of the Swedish system of educational gymnastics

Front matter

jPl B C

OF THE

Swedish System of Educational Gymnastics.

Preface

During my many years of experience as a teacher of gymnastics I have been asked numerous questions which, to a professional man, seem so simple that he often forgets to answer them satisfactorily.

The same is true of most treatises on Swedish g3'mnastics. The science and theory are often very skillfully treated ; but the most common questions are not answered, and the practical work, which should serve as a guide to the inexperienced teacher, is stuffed with scientific terms and shortened words and sentences. So it happens that the teacher becomes confused or even wholly averse to the subject as one requiring too much of his precious time.

Since the Swedish system of educational gymnastics has been introduced into the public schools of Boston, it has become a necessity to have a practical hand-book, both for the teachers and the many homes where gymnastics are practiced. Wherefore, I have tried to furnish a book which will give plain answers to the most frequent questions ; prescriptions of exercises for children of different ages, from the third class in primary schools up to the first class in grammar schools ; with full commands for each exercise, and illustrated by cuts.

(iii)

iv Preface.

The cuts are copied from the works of well-known authors in Sweden and Norway , — Liedbeck, Norlander, Balck, and Bjornstad, — and I believe they will make it very easy for anj^body to see how the exercises should be done.

I believe the Swedish system of gj^mnastics to be the best for schools and homes ; but I believe, also, that gymnasiums, colleges, and universities would find a combination system better suited to their peculiar needs. I hope to be able to arrange a book with a full description of such a combination system.

At present a practical hand-book of the Swedish system of educational gymnastics to guide the teachers is most necessary, and I therefore offer this book to the public.

Hartvig Nissen.

Boston, Mass., August 17, 1891.

Contents

PAGE

Preface, iii

Explanatory Notes, vii

Chapter I

I. Gymnastics in General, . . . . 1

II. Educational Gymnastics, . . . ■ . 2

III. The Best Kind of Educational Gymnastics, 3

IV. On Gymnastic Apparatus, .... 4