Jørgen Peter Müller

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.

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

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

• 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