Besides the demand for defensive capability as the fundametal condition of a national existence. Dr. Tyrš considered man as the art product of Nature, and to these demands he adapted his original system of gymnastics in his monumental work »Fundaments of Gymnastics« (published 1871, I. L. Kober, Prague). Whereas other similar systems pursue different aims, either the education of youth, discipline in schools, military drill, or sanitarian problems and the healing of individuals, etc. Dr. Tyrš’s system principally strives to incite physical talents and abilities of the young men to efficiency, to harden their physical powers, to strive after the highest agility and dexterity, as well as to develop physical beauty.
In creating this eminent work, Dr. Tyrš kept in his mind the glorious example of the life of antique Hellas, the beautiful forms of human perfection full of virile strength and pure beauty of body, of a noble mind which combines in a harmonious concord all preeminences of human nature on the basis of a refined intensive gymnastic education. As final aim the requirements of the nation have been set out, instead of the egoistic instict of the individual or the onesided discipline of special interests. By this a firm, high tendency and construction were given to the whole system. Men and freshmen are led to strictly regulated exercises not only to secure a sound digestion and the banishing of pathogenic consequences of the daily life instead of one-sided records but to cultivate symmetrically all physical abilities to take advantage of all capabilities of the body in order to attain an allround juvenile soundness which is to make everyone fit to accomplish the great duties of life in work and in the endeavours and strifes of the nation. Therefore great stress is laid in Tyrs's system up on the combative exercises, that is all sorts of wrestling, fencing etc. and thus an unlimited possibility is given to the abilities of each individual to attain the highest degree ot aesthetic dexterity, of courage and strength.
To conform with the demands of esthetics great care was taken to select pleasing exercises which were to be performed elegantly; and especially to the common exercises was allotted the important function to incite artistic creations and the sense of an ennobling education of the individuals, as well as of society in general.
By this organisation of physical exercises Dr. Tyrš imparted to the material program of the Sokol a genuine spirit and raised it high above a mere drilling or »turnen« or an insipid stretchening of the muscles; at the same time, he roused a general interest in this important part of the sanitation and recreation of the national power. Beside this his work is prominent in its construction on acount of the iron logic of an ingenious philosopher and of a fitting,
