Adele Parot: Beacon of the Dioclesian Lewis School of Gymnastic Expression in the American West.

Abstract

In the late 18001s, Dioclesian Lewis developed and introduced into the schools his new concept of physical education. Dr. Lewis thought in terms of preventing illness and maintaining bodily strength and health through physical fitness. His "new gymnastics" were based on programs of exercise movements. Employing aight equipment suitable for use by women and children, he created a system of calisthenics centered on the development of flexibility and grace of movement, rather than strength..These gymnastics could be performed in the school room and did not require large areas of space. He founded the Normal Institute for Physical Education in Boston where teachers of physical education were trained. als students spread out through the United States and foreign countries introducing the philosophy of a sound mind in a sound body to students and other teachers. One student of his, Adele Parot, carried his teaching to California. She was instrumental in bringing about California's legislation,for mandatory physical education in the state's public schools, ihe first legislation of its type in the United States.-(JD) *********************************************************************** Documents acquired by ERIC include many informal unpublished * materials not available from other sources. ERIC makes every effort * * to obtain the best copy available. Nevertheless, items of marginal * * reproducibility are often encountered and this affects the quality * * of the microfiche and hardcopy reproductions ERIC makes available * * via the ERIC Document Reproduction Service (EDRS)..EDRS is not * responsible for the quality of the original document. Reproductions * * supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original.. * *********************************************************************** ADELE PAROT: BEACON OF THE DIOCLESIAN LEW/S SCHOOL OF GYMNASTIC EXPRESSION IN THE AMERICAN WEST 00 CO ROBERT KNIGHT BARNEY CT% UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO C\J LONDON, ONTARIO r-4 1=3 Introduction In the late summer of 1878, high on a mountainside in the heart of California's magnificent Yosemite country, a bdarded, robust-appearing man, accompanied by a somewhat diminutive, fragile-like lady, sought a campsight for the night on)the_edge of a mountain meadow, a pristine pasture bathed in the shadows and beauty of the gathering twilight.* For a considerable period of tithe, on both foot and horseback, the couple had been exploring the mountain wilderness areas, losing themselves for a brief moment in one's life from the fetters of their far wmay, long acknowledged, home environment of New England, an environment becoming increasingly unwholesome due to the concerns of job, urban residence, and the progressive encroachment of technology and industry. The time for their return to such concerns was drawing ever nearer as their "Sabbatical" into the West was rapidly coming to a close. But for now, their thoughts were preoccupied with the magnetic qualities of the envisioned campfire, the evening's repast, and pleasant conversation with "old friends." Earlier that summer day they had, met a lone, oxen-pulled prairie schooner carrying a frontier family bent on "migrating to other parts." To the bearded man and his wife an * A research paper presented at the first annual symposium -.:.z of The North American Society of Sport History, The Ohio State -, University, Columbus, Ohio, May 26, 1973. 0 q.. Nib B. 2 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. EDUCATIONS WELFARE N4TIONAL INSTITUTE OF ....,41EDUCATION THIS DOCUMENT HAS SEEN REPRODUCE0 EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM I THE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION ORIGINATING IT. POINTS OF VIEW OR OPINIONS STATED 00 NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT OFFICIAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION POSITION OR POLICY.