Irène Popard was born on 30 September 1894 in Paris. She completed her studies at the University of Boston.^[1] On her return to Paris, she started studying pure gymnastics, and became a teacher of physical education.^[2]

She was a student of Georges Demenÿ, who was “a pioneer of a more natural form of gymnastics.”^[2] According to Sharma, she took Demenÿ's “basic exercises and designed an outstanding educational and corrective programme for women.”^[3] In 1916 she started 'school of Popard gymnastics' through which she introduced ‘harmonic gymnastics'.^[4]^[5]

She died on 30 April 1950 in Marcigny.

Biography

References