OSHKOSH COURIER
October 16, 1863
Physical Exercise in the School Room
The following movements are intended, as far as circumstances will allow, to call into active exercise every part of the human system.
The value of the exercises depends in a great degree upon the energy and force with which they are executed. In all the arm and shoulder movements, the muscles should be kept as rigid as possible, and the rapidity of the movements, should not be so great as to prevent the utmost tension of the muscles. – In all the body movements the motion should be full and slow.
The following positions are recommended, preparatory to the execution of the movements.
Position A, Sit erect, hands folded in front.
Position B, Turn to the aisle, preparatory to rising.
Position C, Rise and face the teacher.
Position D, Stand erect, with arms akimbo.
Position E, Pupils resume their seats.
These positions may be used in dismissing school, when classes are called to recitation, and at all times when the scholars are called to rise from their seats.
MOVEMENTS.
Position D. Inhale slowly till the chest is fully expanded; exhale with utmost slowness.
Place the clenched hands on the shoulders, the elbows being elevated sidewise to a horizontal line with them. At count one, throw the fists forcibly outward, so that the arms shall be in a horizontal position. At count two, bring the fists back to the shoulders, keeping them closed firmly during the whole movement. Count twelve.
Place the fist upon the shoulders, with the elbows raised sidewise to a horizontal with them. Throw the right fist outward and upward at an angle of 45 deg., counting one. At two, bring it back to its former position, at the same time throwing out the left in the same manner. Keep the muscles as rigid as possible. Count twelve.
Place the fists upon the shoulders, with the elbows raised in front to a level with them. At one throw the fists suddenly forward, keeping the arms horizontal and opening the hands, palms upward. At two place the fists as before. Count twelve.
Hands hanging at the sides, closed. – Counting one, pass the fists in front of the shoulders, and raise them so that the arms shall be vertical; two, bring the fists down immediately over the shoulders, at the same time throwing the elbows downward and backward; three, throw the fists downward, commencing with a short curve by bending the wrists and raising the elbows. Count twelve.
Fists upon the chest, throwing the right first down and back, counting twelve. – Then the left, then alternate, then both. The same motions throwing the arm upon a horizontal line, then upwards at an angle of 45 degrees.
Inflate the lungs suddenly with a full breath, retain the breath a short time, and then emit as quickly as possible.
Extend the arms forward a little above the horizontal, the fists by the sides, thumbs downward. At one, bring the fists immediately in front of the shoulder, turning the thumbs outward, and throwing the elbows downward and backward forcibly, as if to strike them together behind. At two, thrust the fists forward to the first position. Count twelve.
Position D. At one, thrust the right fist upward to a vertical position; at two bring the right hand to position D, and then thrust the left first upward in the same manner. – Count twelve.
Thrust the right first forward horizontally, while counting one. At two bring the right hand back to position D, and then thrust the left fist forward in the same manner. – Count twelve.
Let the arms hang at the sides, hands open. At one throw the hands outward and upward, keeping the arms extended, and bring the hands together directly over the head with a clap; keeping the hands together and arms extended; at two, bring the hands down in front to a level with the shoulders; at three, throw the hands backward, keeping the arms extended horizontally; at four, drop the arms to the sides as in position of starting. Count twelve.
With the left arm upon the hip, whirl the right hand and arm in as near a vertical plane as the situation of the scholar will allow, first forward, then backward. Then with the right hand upon the hip whirl the left in the same manner. Let each arm be whirled three times in both directions, counting at each time.
Right foot and right fist forward, with left fist in front of the scholar. Change places of the fists, counting twelve. In like manner with left foot first in front. Stand erect, arms by the side, swing the fists back and forth. Count twelve.
Position D. Inhale a full breath slowly; emit the breath audibly and slowly, giving the prolonged sound of a in father.
Position D. At one, rise on the toes as far as possible; at two, ease back to starting position, being careful to avoid dropping noisily on the heels. Count twelve.
Position D. At count one, incline the body to the right to an angle of 45 deg. At two, incline to the left in the same manner. – Count eight.
Extend the arms and hands sidewise, horizontally, to as near a straight line as possible, the palms of the hands being downward. Keeping the arms in the same relative position, at one, incline the body to the right to an angle of about 45 degrees. At two, incline the body to the left in the same manner. Count eight.
Position D. At one, turn the whole body, including the head, to the right as far as possible, keeping the feet stationary. At two, twist the body toward the left in the same manner. Count eight.
(INCOMPLETE ARTICLE.)