Blog

‘Healthy human movement  exploration through the disciplines of Pilates, Exercise Physiology and Remedial Massage.’

This blog is a space where I like to explore, learn and ‘do good’. I hope to be able to share my thoughts in a way that is accessible for all those with an interest in health and movement. Thanks for reading,  Warwick…

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Physiologists v Pharmacologists

Posted on August 31, 2018 by Movement Health in
Pehr Henrik Ling creator of Swedish Gymnastics

During the late 1800’s and early 1900’s the Swedish Gymnasts full of pride for their system began questioning the prevailing health practises of the time. Thus a rivalry with Physicians practising Pharmacological medicine devloped that was called the, ‘Physiologists v Pharmacologists’. Students of Swedish Gymnastics (learn more about Swedish Gymnastics here) at the Royal Central …read more

The Strongman Physical Culturists

Posted on July 29, 2018 by Movement Health in
Eugen Sandow one of the Strongman Physical Culturists posing with a dumbbell

The Strongman Physical Culturists (learn more about the Physical Culture Movement here) emerged around the mid-1800’s (Watson et al. 2005); they blended the systematic approach of the European Gymnasts with traditional Viking and Highland events such as the shot-put and are credited with inventing the Barbell. The Strongman athletes were touring entertainers who performed shows …read more

Beginnings of Exercise Science and Physical Education..

Posted on June 30, 2018 by Movement Health in ,
A group of men stretching on the Swedish bars at the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics

The European Gymnast Physical Culturists played a substantial role in the beginnings of Exercise Science and Physical Education. Swedish Gymnastics and the German Turnen organisations were a foundation from which the scientific discipline of Sport and Exercise Science and the Physical Education profession emerged. In 1813 with government support Pehr Henrik Ling founder of Swedish …read more

Swedish Gymnastics: A brief history

Posted on May 31, 2018 by Movement Health in
A group of women do a Swedish Gymnastics class at the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics

Swedish Gymnastics (also known as the Swedish Movement Cure) was founded in the early 1800’s by poet, student of theology and European languages Pehr Henrik Ling (1776-1839). There were two experiences that brought Ling to the world of Physical Culture. Firstly, as a response to Sweden losing territory to Russia during the Napoleonic Wars, Ling …read more

German Turnen Gymnastics: A brief history

Posted on April 27, 2018 by Movement Health in
Postage stamp showing a Turnplatz commemorating Friedrich Jahn founder of the German Turnen Gymnastics movement

Founded by Prussian educator Friedrich Ludwig Jahn (1778-1852) in the early 1800’s, German Turnen Gymnastics began as groups of boys from a Berlin grammar school undertaking outdoor physical education under Jahn’s supervision. These classes consisted of Gymnastics plus traditional games (running, swimming, wrestling, climbing, lifting, jumping, fencing) combined with progressive German political philosophy via patriotic …read more

The ‘Culture’ in the Physical Culture Movement

Posted on March 14, 2018 by Movement Health in
Turnen men expressing their Physical Culture by doing gymnastics and swinging clubs in a Turnverein gymnasium

One of the most interesting parts of the Physical Culture Movement (learn more about the Movement here) is use of the term ‘Culture’. Using the term seems to expand the movement beyond just moving/strengthening bodies and in to subject areas such as society, customs and the creative arts. The largest cultural influence on the beginnings …read more

What is the Physical Culture Movement?

Posted on February 23, 2018 by Movement Health in ,
An image of child on pommel horse taken from Guts Muths book Gymnastics for Youth

The Physical Culture Movement was a health and fitness movement that began in Europe during the 19th century, spreading to England and the United States it continued till the mid-20th century. The Movement’s ideology was driven by multiple factors and it had an eclectic group of contributors. The Physical Culture Movements legacy can still be …read more

Dr Bess Mensendieck

Posted on December 8, 2017 by Movement Health in
dr bess mensendieck teaches women about the bones of the lower limbs

The Physical Culture movement was an exciting time; emerging in Germany, England and the United States during the 19th century and continuing through to the mid-20th century it was a true ‘melting-pot’ of health philosophy. The movement had an eclectic group of contributors and was the foundation for many modern athletic and health science disciplines. …read more

Pilates standing footwork – a good exercise for skiers

Posted on September 9, 2017 by Movement Health in ,
male doing standing pilates footwork to help with skiing

Squats, lunges etc can be the standard exercises used to prepare the lower body for skiing. The Pilates exercise standing footwork from the 2×4 series is a twist on the squat movement and is closely related to footwork on the reformer. Pilates standing footwork is a whole-body exercise that strengthens the feet, ankles, knees and …read more

Work the core, reduce stress…

Posted on July 7, 2017 by Movement Health in , ,
male and female doing Pilates sit up, could this help to reduce stress?

As someone who walks the line of multiple movement based disciplines I often find the evidence driven Exercise Physiology part of my professional make-up trying to unpack what is happening with some of the Pilates exercises. At times Pilates exercises may not seem all that functional and there can be limited levels of progressive overload. …read more

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