The physical culture is a lifestyle you are looking for the optimal state of mind and body. Its main objective is to keep man away from sedentary lifestyle, the worst enemy of well-being.
It is automatically related to physical education, and although this corresponds to one of the aspects of physical culture, it is not the only one.
Physical culture does not refer only to education in physical activity. Include a combination of exercise, good nutrition, and healthy habits.
In this way, it creates a balanced union between physical and mental health, which leads to comprehensive well-being.
Background
Physical culture emerged in Germany in the mid-19th century, and was brought by German immigrants to the United States in the late 19th century.
It stems from a concern for office workers, who spent most of their time sitting at desks doing monotonous work.
Concern for this lack of physical activity generated a belief system focused on holistic well-being. Later, physical culture was included in the military training systems.
At the beginning of the 20th century this practice had already become popular. Gyms, books, and academies began to appear that taught physical culture as a way of life.
Balance between body and mind
The center of this practice is the body-mind binomial. His thesis is that integral well-being can only be achieved when all parts of the being are in balance.
To cultivate the body, which is the first part of the binomial, the execution of exercises and activities of a different nature is sought. It includes cardiovascular workouts, weightlifting, aerobics and among others.
The type of activity is defined by the needs and physical capacities of the individual.
Special care is also taken in food and nutrition, through special diets that avoid a combination that is harmful to the body.
The second part of the binomial, the mind, is protected from stress, anxiety and any sensation that destabilizes it.
For this purpose, activities such as meditation and yoga are carried out. They also encourage playful activities that help clear the mind.
Boarding fields
Physical culture is approached from different fronts. In this way, a lifestyle is built that covers all the necessary aspects.
Physical education
Physical culture must be taught and cultivated in the individual. This is why physical education is a key tool for this lifestyle.
It is not just about teaching exercise and physical activity. The basis is to understand what the needs of each body are, in order to provide what it requires to be healthy.
This area includes the physical aspect, which includes physical activity and nutrition. The mental aspect is also taken into account, when seeking catharsis through playful activities.
Health
The body and mind are also cultivated through health. Food care is an essential part of this lifestyle. There is a special concern for maintaining a balanced diet.
They also avoid the consumption of substances that are harmful to the body, such as tobacco, alcohol or any type of drug.
The psyche is also cared for from this field. Anxiety is highly detrimental to health. To help control anxiety, it is proposed to maintain a healthy lifestyle and practice meditation.
References
- Physical culture. (2017) britannica.com
- The history of physical fitness. (2014) artofmanliness.com
- History of the physical culture. (2017) nfpt.com
- A brief history of the barbell. (2017) physicalculturestudy.com
- Physical history culture. (2016) thierrysanchez.com