Page:Tumbling for Amateurs.djvu/19

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Teachers, especially in public gymnasia, where the attendance is voluntary, will welcome anything that will make the exercises more attractive and do away, as far as possible, with the idea of "work." Tumbling should form a part of every system taught in our public gymnasia, and to those who have not heretofore studied the subject we submit the following propositions:

1. Tumbling will develop, harmoniously, the whole body without the aid of any apparatus whatever, or any other set of exercises. A careful study of the physiques of professional tumblers will verify this statement.

2. The exercises can be easily graded, so that there will be absolutely no danger in going from primary to advanced tumbling. In individual tumbling, the body being always close to the ground, the chances of a break or a sprain are reduced to a minimum; and in comparison with other forms of exercise, such as boxing, wrestling, or apparatus work, the percentage of accidents will be found to compare most favorably. 3. Friends can enter into the keenest competition, urging each other to the highest possible development and perfection, and never experience the inconveniences of black eyes and bruises—the usual resultants of combative exercises.

4. At least 50 per cent, of those entering the gymnasium