Bess Mensendieck

Life & Legacy

Bess Mensendieck (1 July 1864 New York City – 27 January 1957, born Elizabeth Marguerite de Varel Mensendieck) was an American physician and gymnastics teacher of Dutch descent who developed the Mensendieck System, a therapeutic teaching methodology for female physical education claimed to be both corrective and preventive. She was one of the most important founders of early breathing and physical pedagogy in Europe and America.
Mensendieck published several books on the subject starting with the German publication titled Körperkultur des Weibes (Physical Culture of Women) with practical hygienic and aesthetic tips, 1906.