In my studies of classical PE the last couple of decades, I’ve uncovered a rich history far beyond the gymnasium and muscular fitness. Classical PE often included many outdoor activities that at times involved “weapons” or objects viewed as “dangerous” today. For example, how to properly use an axe and hatchet was formerly a…… More
Fitness. What has it become, and where did it come from? Why are we even supposed to do it? Should we think of “fitness” or just moving and moving with purpose? What does it all have to do beyond a selfie or the individual? Please join us for a deep-thinking show with many questions and…… More
The true value of REAL PE is the development of a whole citizen “through” movement. Classical PE valued and supported the arts. Real PE is a cross-discipline approach beyond physique that involves music, art, history, psychology, physics and math, English and communications, and so much more. PE is supposed to be the above. Physical education…… More
Paradigm: an example serving as a model; pattern…framework containing the basic assumptions, ways of thinking,and methodology that are commonly accepted by members of a scientific community…such a cognitive framework shared by members of any discipline or group. (Dictionary.com) We need a paradigm shift in American physical education…sooner than later. There was a time when American physical education was…… More
Here’s another wonderful learning opportunity provided by a classical physical education and fitness photograph. Let’s carefully examine the photo and see what we can learn… The obvious is female boxing. It might be argued this is more of a propaganda photo or glamour shot, but nonetheless, there is a lot of history being expressed if…… More
The United States Navy “V-Five Association” is legendary. This WWII physical training produced some of the US Navy’s finest pilots and men including former President Gerald Ford and some of NASA’s Apollo astronauts. The V-Five published about a dozen manuals on various physical topics including mass calisthenics, track & field, gymnastics, and many other sports.…… More
The United States Navy “V-Five Association” is legendary. This WWII physical training produced some of the US Navy’s finest pilots and men including former President Gerald Ford and some of NASA’s Apollo astronauts. The V-Five published about a dozen manuals on various physical topics including mass calisthenics, track & field, gymnastics, and many other sports.…… More
President’s Day Playground Post. Children play–even children of presidents. Let’s take a deeper historical look at the actual playground “equipment” installed by and supported by two United States Presidents. Interestingly, both playgrounds modeled classical equipment that involved gravity. In the FDR photo above, we see his grandchildren playing on the slide which is a decent…… More
“Classical PE” was not exclusive to the United States; it was global. Here’s a nice vintage image of women in Ireland taken circa 1908. Pre 1920, PE was very gymnastics based. The gymnastics of this era was medical and orthopedic unlike today’s gymnastics designed mostly for competition with high injury rates. This kind of gymnastics…… More
Examining historical physical education and fitness photos is like reading Hemingway who explained his writing like being an iceberg. What is obviously sticking up in plain view is not the real story. What’s are the lost messages above? What is obvious is a beautiful woman with boxing gloves. Cool pin up style sort of…next…but wait!…… More