Gymnastics in modern times

gymnastic history turnest Germany festival
Germany’s gymnastics festival continues to this day.

Modern gymnastics emerged in the eighteenth century with the Enlightenment. In 1762, the French philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778), one of the leading representatives of the Enlightenment movement, published the pedagogical treatise Emile, in which he advocated physical activity as part of teaching. The work catalyzed a profound reform in European education at the time.

The influence of the ideas of Rousseau was significant in Germany, where schools called Philantropinum were opened and encouraged gymnastic activities in the open air. From one of them emerged what is considered the forerunner of modern gymnastics: Johann Christoph Friedrich Guts Muths (1759-1839), who directed one of these schools in Schnepfenthal.

Muth’s thinking is reflected in his 1793 book Gymnastik für die Jugend (“Gymnastics for Young People”), in which he classifies natural and artificial gymnastics, that is, utilitarian and non-utilitarian. The former focused on the health of the body, while the latter focused on the aesthetic aspect of gymnastics, similar to artistic gymnastics today.

Natural gymnastics was thoroughly developed by the Swedish Per Henrik Ling (1776-1839), founder of the Royal Gymnastics Central Institute in Stockholm, in 1813. But the father of modern gymnastics was the German Friedrich Ludwig Jahn (1778-1852), founder of the Turnverein movement, a kind of association of gymnastics clubs in Berlin. John took the first steps in the systematization of artistic gymnastics.

His advanced conception of gymnastics was recorded in the book Die Deutsche Turnkunst (“The German Art of Gymnastics”), from 1816, whose authorship he shared with his assistant Ernst Eiselen. Germany’s first gymnastics festival (Turnfest) was held in Coburg in 1860, following the school of Jahn.

In 1881, the European Gymnastics Federation, the predecessor of the current International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), was founded in France to supervise the practices of this sport, which was included in the first modern Olympics in 1896.

The FIG organized the first international gymnastics competitions for men (1903) and women (1934); thus consecrated gymnastics as a competitive sport of worldwide scope.

History of gymnastics in Mexico

In Mexico, there is a history of gymnastics in pre-Hispanic times. Like many other ancient peoples, the cultures that inhabited the current territory of Mexico practiced physical activities for military, ritual, and recreational purposes.

Some sources testify to the gymnastic and acrobatic practices of the Aztecs. The acrobats, known as mayotuncuepani, performed various exercises of physical skill together.

Modern gymnastics developed in Mexico at the hands of European immigrants. Some of them were involved with pedagogical theories that promoted gymnastics as part of comprehensive education.

In 1848, the Frenchman Jean Chadafaut Turín (Juan Turín, in Spanish) opened the first gym in Mexico City. Turin, considered the introducer of modern gymnastics in the country, gave classes in some schools and incorporated gymnastics in the army, following the French military model.

The first attempts to incorporate gymnastics and other sports practices in education date back to 1861. However, it was not until 1888, when the Federal Law of Primary Instruction was passed, those gymnastics was made compulsory in all schools.

In 1890, the Great Central Circle of Mexican Gymnastics was created, the first physical education association in Mexico. A few years later, in 1902, the Gymnastics Academy of Mexico was founded, in which teachers were trained to teach gymnastics in schools.

Mexico officially participated in the Olympic competitions for the first time at the Olympic Games in Paris in 1924. The previous year the Mexican Olympic Committee had been created. In 1933 the Mexican Sports Confederation and the National Council of Physical Culture were established.

These three institutions, together with the Federación Nacional de Gimnasia (now the Federación Mexicana de Gimnasia), founded in 1926, were essential for the development and dissemination of sport and competitive gymnastics in Mexico.

Related Posts

Previous post Olympic Games
Next post Characteristics of a gymnast
Close
Finance management Business development Business strategy Business operations Business management Business growth Business analysis Industry trends Financial analysis Industry insights Industry challenges Manufacturing process Manufacturing industry Manufacturing technologies Parenting Family Journalism Lifestyle blog Current events Breaking news Media coverage Educational trends Scientific community STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Legal support team Legal regulations compliance Intellectual property laws Career success Education software Online learning platforms Civil rights protection Corporate legal compliance Legal guidance blog Cybersecurity Social media marketing Digital transformation Network infrastructure Internet of Things (IoT) Web development Software maintenance Software engineering Mobile apps E-commerce platforms User experience (UX) design User interface (UI) design Responsive web design Artificial intelligence (AI) Car accessories Automotive engineering Car maintenance Adventure travel Car technology Vehicle Automotive trends Automotive industry analysis Car brands Healthy lifestyle Nutrition and wellness Dermatology services Cosmetic procedures Plastic surgery Alternative medicine Fitness exercises Mental health Yoga and meditation Oral health Fashion Women's fashion Skincare routine Wedding flowers Fashion accessories Online fashion community Online shopping Fashion tips Pet Health Services Veterinary Care Shelter and Rescue Home renovation ideas Interior design inspiration Home decor trends mart home technology Real estate market trends Rental property management Gardening and landscaping tips Home remodeling and renovations Moving and packing services Professional home cleaning furniture and accessories Art and design workshops Art and culture events Art festivals and fairs Visual arts and crafts Outdoor adventures Sports events sports Gaming community Outdoor family activities Gastronomy Food tourism Food exploration Vacation Holiday Tourist Attractions Travel destinations Leisure activities Weekend getaway Travel experiences News reporting Residential services Big Data Real estate agent selection Parenting Guides Pool maintenance and cleaning Fashion industry news health shop Data analytics Community Press release zoom news info Health and wellness tips data macau travel Medical treatments school trips plus uk Legal assistance Parenting Tips puppy love pets uk Automotive manufacturing Exterior home improvement Travel tips Headlines Food culture Automotive industryCriminal Law Healthcare services school Trip sports Equipment dental Beauty Education International