Le Nord : revue internationale des Pays de Nord - 01.06.1939, Page 236
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LE NORD
tion of his gymnastics. Some consider that the development of
the body, at which he aimed, could be achieved without specific
gymnastic exercises i. e. through the usual types of sport. What
may be obtained through the latter shall not be discussed. It is,
however, an untenable idea that where sport is practised, gym-
nastics are superfluous. When looking at the need of physical
development of the rising generation, there is no doubt that
gymnastics have an object to fill.
There are kinds of weakness as well as of deformities or lack
of development which gymnastics alone have the power to cor-
rect. Their corrective importance is greatly emphasized by medical
experience.
The methods of Swedish gymnastics — or Swedish drill as
it is sometimes called — include, not only a body-developing ele-
ment, but they also have a psychic aim. We claim to train the
young gymnast to order and discipline and to incite his power
of activity and courage by making him get over obstacles, the
difficulty of which is gradually increased.
A tradition of more than one hundred years has given our
gymnastics much educational experience. We have among other
things, realized the importance of will-training, which correctly
practised gymnastics produce.
Ling wished to develop, not only educational gymnastics but
medical gymnastics as well. From his days we date the beginning
of Swedish medical gymnastics, the theory and practice of which,
having become improved upon by modern experience, have gained
firm ground in many foreign countries. It should be mentioned
here that, according to Ling, educational gymnastics should learn
from medical gymnastics and result in a connection between them.
This has caused the misunderstanding that Ling did not properly
distinguish between the two kinds of gymnastics. We possess,
however, documents which clearly show that he did so. His writ-
ings on gymnastics, among them his publications on the General
Principles of Gymnastics, very difficult for the modern reader
to understand, can fortunately be supplemented by unprinted
manuscripts.
Through this I have indicated some of the principles which
led Ling in his gymnastic work. Beside the scientific, the educa-
tional and the aesthetic point of view, we also find a social one.
The gymnastics which he created he wished to make useful
to every one, rich and poor, and he succeeded therein. No great