Sound mind, sound body.
This was the concept many German immigrants brought to America.
They were members of the Turnverein Society, and led to the beginnings of gymnastics teaching in the United States.
There used to be dozens of Turner Hall buildings across the country, and a few remain.
One of the oldest, and most interesting, is in New Ulm, still as big a part of the community as it was upon opening in 1856.
The original building was largely destroyed by fire in 1862, and rebuilt in 1886.
There are still gymnastics events held in Turner Hall's newest addition, located right behind the Brown County Courthouse.
But what's left of the original building is what brings in people to enjoy brats, spaetzle, jagerschnitzle, beer, and a look into the past.
The basement has a dining room, a stone fireplace, and what many in New Ulm claim to be the oldest operating bar in Minnesota.
But what surrounds all those trappings in what is known as the Rathskeller is Turner Hall's most amazing feature.
"There was a woman here that was singing opera, and her husband was looking for something to do," said Turner Hall event coordinator TJ Campbell. "He'd come over here, sit down, have some beers, and paint the murals."
The murals painted by hand over three months before the turn of the 20th century by Guido Methua-Scheller shows scenes of the old country, highlighted by the castles of Germany.
But for some reason, those murals were covered up by plywood.
It was during the time of what is now called World War One.
"Because it was the United States versus Germany, maybe the murals were kind of covered," said Campbell. "It was kind of a shock, to have something that was hand-painted and so beautiful that was covered up for so many years.
They were finally uncovered in the 1960 and fully restored.
"They came in, matched every color," Campbell said. "There are some more murals that were, unfortunately not able to be recovered."
Those murals are behind the oldest bar in Minnesota, behind the plywood that once surrounded the entire room.
And unlike when Turner Hall was an exclusive, members-only club, the Rathskeller is open Wednesdays through Sundays.
With chiseled busts and fading photographs depicting the New Ulm Turner Hall founders, the members still welcome athletic events, as well as movies, concerts, dances, and is the site of weddings and receptions.
It's still the same Turner Hall, but updated.
The latest addition... this summer, Turner Hall became fully air conditioned.