Gymnastics in Sweeden.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13596, 16 May 1908, Page 2 (Supplement)

Gymnastics in Sweeden.

"Health is the fetish, of the soul "-—thus the writer of a striking paper in the current issue of: the; World's ~: Work; Here are some of the-interesting facts he has compiled concerning the means;adopted by the Swedes. to make them what they are at healthiest/nation in the world. With the Swedes exercise, gymnastic exercise, not mere, walking, ; is a religion. The very criminals under sentence must have it, and, full instructions for daily gymnastics "are posted- even l in the condemned cell. Grown folk must have it,/and therefore the -gymnasiums sprmg up as, thick as mushrooms. The children must have, it; therefore, when the State has done all -that it can for them physically private. associations take them up. Free skating rinks arid toboggan-slides—even free toboggans, and skates for the skateless—arei provided less with the end of giving the children joy than of promoting/that fetish of; the'-Swe-dish soul—public healh. Associations for out-door games take charge of the public playgrounds, organising 1 so-called pedagogic games that' are not' only ■uproarious fun but develop swiftness, precision and nerve. . 'With Government aid* these societies send teachers of games to all the common schools, and tfie children are turned loose in the open air every day for a short romp. . We use these Swedish games in our gymnasiums' and in such ofthe, public schools as can command the space. Why not use them out of doors and make them universal? , The Swedish Government itself takes splendid care of the muscles' of its little citizens. Every school-child in the kingdom is under bonds' to learn to swim, unless, as is.rarely the case, the schoolhouse is too far from, any water. As for the formal gymnastics, in Swedish schools, it is a very serious affair; for it is .body-building. The bodies of English boys and girls are nob " built," they just grow. The' rugged children of Sweden are ii convincing recommendation of the national method. In agility, poise, and grace, to say nothing of physical' stamina, they are far in advance of our school-children. When a Swede has got his body built he does not leave off .there.' What the club is-to an English business man, the gymnasium is to the Swede. He takes, exercise .suited to his age to keep in condition; or if not up to the- mark, puts into the .nearest gymnasium for -repairs.' The movement cure and massage—4hese are his substitutes for drugs.. Headaches, liver complaints, nerves, dyspepsia are' air treated, at least partially, by active or passive 'gymnastics.