Los Angeles herald., 1890-04-25
PHYSICAL TRAINING.
OPINIONS AS TO ITS USE IN THE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Superintendent Friesner is in Favor of
Systematic Instruction-Mr. Bessing
Thinks it Would be Advantageous.

| superintendent FTleSIler, III CONVEX
sation day or two ago, remarked that
he believed in systematic physical
training in the public schools, and he
thought that when the new schools are
finished and the classes are running on
full time, more attention should be paid
to this branch of education than at
present.
In order to obtain some points on
physical education in the schools, re-
porter yesterday visited Mr.. Bessing,
the master at the Los Angeles Athletic
Club, and asked him what he thought of
the subject.
Mr.. Bessing stated that Los Angeles
certainly should pay more attention to
physical culture in the schools than at
present. 1t had been tried in other
cities, and had been found to be a great
success. He said system should
be adopted which aims to
unfold the natural and symmetrical
beauty of the human body, making it
fit and capable in every phase of moral
life to obey and carry out the will of its
supreme master, the mind.
The basic fact OF education is that
child has a body as well as mind to be
developed symmetrically. This was
clearly apprehended by the ancient
Greeks, and until quite recently appears
to have been lost sight of by those who
searchers in physiology and the laws of
under external and internal influences.
Mt a mr. L. of oh
A glance at the people on Main and
Spring streets any day, will convince
anyone how poorly large majority of
the people have grown. In fact
a we'll formed symmetrical body
is a rare exception, while one
sided misshaped ones are the
general rule.
There Is no reason why the human
body should not grow into beautiful
form except in the rarest instances.
But the system of education has been
confined chiefly to the intellectual
faculties, and the body was neglected or
left largely to chance. Distorted shapes
are made by the nurture, culture i'm
posed. To give the child a healthy,
natural, well-formed, educated body,
subservient to his will, is an additional
step toward the complete education of
the whole being. Many occupations, as
well as the sedentary habits of student
life, are of such character as to distort
the human body and cause it to assume
abnormal forms but under a system of
physical training nationally appre-
hended, the individual having dis
covered the reasons for physical perfec-
ton, forms the habit of caring for his
body as a part of his lifework.
This is an incentive which is un-
needed by the person who has not been
specially trained in calisthenics. This
habit must come from patient and care
full practice at first. To secure proper
results the training must be systematic
and directed by competent Instructor
who employs system that calls into ex-
ercise every group of muscles that are
essential for securing graceful and elastic
movements of the body.
Girls probably, more than boys,
whose opportunities for healthful play
are greatly restricted in cities and towns,
need calisthenic drill regularly. Bend
ing over their lessons or music has
tendency to produce contraction of the
muscles, round shoulders and narrow
chests. To counteract these injurious
habits formed at home and in school,
ci0 oiiiy SalS IeiIltuy is physical Iraln-
ing practiced at regular intervals.
In most of the cities of the East
superintendent of calisthenics has been
appointed. The plan there is to train
the principals and teachers how to con-
duct the exercises, and then at conven-
lent times to visit the school rooms and
inspect the work of the teachers and pu-
pills.
"Calisthenics are by no means as
simple in their effect upon the muscular
and nervous system as is generally sup
posed. The easy, graceful, but vigorous
movement of the head, arms, trunk and
legs, simple as they seem to the
observer, nevertheless cause, inter-
nally, on the countless micro
scopic veins through which the
life blood flows, and on which the good
condition of health depends, shocks
relatively of the severest nature. While
these exercises do afford quite an amount
of healthful exercise, it is not claimed
that they alone fulfill all the ends of
physical education. They are particu-
larly useful for cultivating attention and
forming those habits which lead to
strict obedience.
If my opinion is asked / certainly
shall speak in favor of systematic ply
sical training in the public schools"
Marriage License.
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