| Jørgen Peter Müller | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1866-10-07)7 October 1866 Nykøbing Falster |
| Died | 17 November 1938(1938-11-17) (aged 72) Copenhagen |
| Nationality | Danish |
| Other names | J. P. Muller |
| Occupation(s) | Author, athlete |
Jørgen Peter Müller (7 October 1866 - 17 November 1938) was a Danish gymnastics educator and author. He is also known as J. P. Muller.
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 that comprise the system, as well as photographic instructions featuring Müller himself. The book was the most successful physical culture book published in Britain during the early twentieth century. Müller moved to London and opened a physical culture institute in 1912.
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, the benefits of fresh air, and warned against the dangers of wearing too many clothes.
In some cases he re-wrote his books himself in English, rather than have them translated directly from the Danish.
Müller was appointed Knight of the Dannebrog in 1919.
Müller had three sons named Ib, Per and Bror who featured in pictures in his books.
Selected publications
- My System, 1904
- Vink om sundhedsrøgt og idræt, 1907
- The Fresh Air book, 1908
- My System for Children, 1913
- My System for Ladies, 1913
- My Breathing System, 1914
- The Daily Five Minutes, 1924
References
- "Lieut. J. P. Muller". Archived from the original on 2014-05-20. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
- "The Exercises 1-18 of "My System" – Learn JP MÜLLer's 15-Minute Full Body Workout "MY SYSTEM"". 10 February 2011.
- Muller, J.P. "Mein System". Wellcome Library.
- ^ 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.
- Muller, J.P. "My System for Children". Wellcome Library.
- Muller, J.P. (1908). "The Fresh Air Book". Internet Archive.
- Muller, J.P. "My System by Muller, J.P". Wellcome Library.
- Wildman, Sarah (21 January 2011). "Franz Kafka, J.P. Müller: The exercise system that swept Europe in the early 1900s. (VIDEO)". Slate.
- Muller, J.P. "My System for Children". Wellcome Library.
External links
Many of Müller's works are available to read online.
- My System at The Internet Archive
- Mein System at the Wellcome Library
- The Fresh Air Book at the Internet Archive
- My Breathing System at the Wellcome Library
- My System for Children at the Wellcome Library
- My System for Ladies at the Wellcome Library
- Vink om sundhedsrøgt og idræt at the Wellcome Library
