History

As early as 4,000 years ago, the people of China practiced Gymnastics exercises purely to benefit their health and promote longevity. In Ancient Greece, where perfection of the human physique was highly celebrated, Gymnastics was practised by men and women. The Ancient Greeks prized Gymnastics so much it was part of the Ancient Olympic Games, making it one of the world’s oldest sports along with athletics. Gymnastics was utilised by the Ancient Romans to turn their soldiers into finely tuned machines. Physical activity to promote health and happiness was one of the developments of the Age of Enlightenment, when Greek classical education was revived and heralded by thinkers who presented concepts linking the soul and the body. Coming on the heels of the Scientific Revolution, this era led to physical education as a science and quickly, a societal and nationalistic concept.