Jørgen_Peter_Müller

Jørgen Peter Müller

Jørgen Peter Müller

Danish gymnastics educator (1866–1938)

Jørgen Peter Müller (7 October 1866 - 17 November 1938) was a Danish gymnastics educator and author.[1] He is also known as J. P. Muller.

Quick Facts Born, Died ...
Cover of "My System, 15 minutes work a day for health's sake"

Biography

His book Mit System (My System), published in 1904, was a bestseller and has been translated to English and many other languages. My System explains Müller's philosophy of health and provides guidelines for the 18 exercises[2] that comprise the system, as well as photographic instructions featuring Müller himself.[3] The book was the most successful physical culture book published in Britain during the early twentieth century.[4] Müller moved to London and opened a physical culture institute in 1912.[4]

Much of what was stated in his system has since been accepted by the medical community, with many of his basic movements being used in modern-day physical therapy and rehabilitation. The emphasis on body-weight exercise and the use of dynamic stretching is useful for many people, and has been found appropriate in a wide range of patients. As well as exercises, stretching and breathing routines, Müller also advocated a towel-rubbing routine to follow a daily bath,[5] the benefits of fresh air, and warned against the dangers of wearing too many clothes.[6]

In some cases he re-wrote his books himself in English, rather than have them translated directly from the Danish.[7]

Müller was appointed Knight of the Dannebrog in 1919.[8]

Müller had three sons named Ib, Per and Bror who featured in pictures in his books.[9]

J.P. Müller's children, Ib, Bror and Per


Selected publications

References

  1. [1]
    "Lieut. J. P. Muller". Archived from the original on 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  2. [2]
    "The Exercises 1-18 of "My System" – Learn JP MÜLLer's 15-Minute Full Body Workout "MY SYSTEM"". 10 February 2011.
  3. [3]
    Muller, J.P. "Mein System". Wellcome Library.
  4. [4]
    Zweiniger‐Bargielowska, Ina. (2005). The Culture of the Abdomen: Obesity and Reducing in Britain, circa 1900–1939. Journal of British Studies 44 (2): 239-273.
  5. [5]
    Muller, J.P. "My System for Children". Wellcome Library.
  6. [6]
    Muller, J.P. (1908). "The Fresh Air Book". Internet Archive.
  7. [7]
    Muller, J.P. "My System by Muller, J.P". Wellcome Library.
  8. [8]
    Wildman, Sarah (21 January 2011). "Franz Kafka, J.P. Müller: The exercise system that swept Europe in the early 1900s. (VIDEO)". Slate.
  9. [9]
    Muller, J.P. "My System for Children". Wellcome Library.

Many of Müller's works are available to read online.
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