Bonnie Prudden was one of the most amazing fitness professionals of the last century. She was one of the top fitness experts in America beginning in the 1940s through her passing in 2011. Prudden’s work has had a great influence on our movement philosophy at The Lean Berets. We are grateful to know of her…… More
We are pleased to release a brief demo video of some of the health wand movements we have been studying and learning the last year and are now teaching. The actual instructional tutorials will be posted soon. We hope to see you at one of our “Organic Flow Restorative Arts Workshops” soon so you can…… More
We are honored to present this historic show with a true gentleman from America’s “Greatest Generation” named Jake Monlux from KidsFailedFitness.org. We sought out Jake to help us with our historical studies on back pain prevention, corrective exercise, and classical physical education with the gymnastics focus, but Jake provided much more for us. His passion at age…… More
Historically a hundred years ago or so, better physical education programs focused on the restorative content area “first” before sports. Sports were not used to get people in shape—a form of restorative or even “medical” gymnastics was used quite often. There were different systems of course, but the idea was to create good quality movement…… More
I recently had the opportunity to teach a 5th Grade Physical Education class as a volunteer parent. I had a number of activities for the children which included relaxation, breathing, calisthenics, crawls, speed/agility/quickness drills, balance, and some free-play time. I had two pairs of Indian Clubs with me for a quick demonstration. The kids were…… More
The concept of “Functional Movement” is nothing new. There are many references historically that deal with the same subject. Interestingly, America’s physical education roots were grounded in movement efficiency and quality of movement with a practical application emphasis–or as we might say again today, “functional.” Here’s a nice example of this need for functional fitness…… More
We began offering Posture Workshops for corporate clients and parents recently working extensively and body alignment and proper angles for study and work. Here’s why…be inspired by the Grundy Center Spartans in Iowa and their “Thinking Bodies” Noble Purpose theme for 2014. Posture matters. Historically, our elders knew that posture directly tied into learning in…… More
Ever wonder who was responsible for the fitness conditioning of Rosie the Riveter? Who was behind the training of 150,000 REAL WOMEN of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) during WWII? Indeed, beyond the iconic image of Rosie was “THE” Mabel Lee–an Iowa native Physical Education powerhouse who was one of the contributors and regional coordinators…… More
*Photo by Ron Jones/The Lean Berets. Copyright 2014 We have talked before about the “Golden Era” of American Physical Education and Fitness which was from about 1885-1920. America’s national interest in the physical culture reached into Christian churches as well. There was a time between 1880-1920 when Christians did not show up each Sunday for…… More
“Physical fitness can’t be faked. You are fit, or you aren’t. Strength, stamina, coordination, and stability do not come in bottles, pills, nor powder, nor in foundation garments, nor in diets.” –W.A.C Physical Training Manual & Mabel Lee (1943) What does today’s gym represent? Fitness, sweat, group classes, marketing of products, finding a date, or…… More