Another good breathing exercise may be taken with dumbbells. Hold the
bells at the sides, waist high, palms up and elbows crooked. Then take a
deep breath, and hold it while you swing the arms back vigorously past
the hips, holding them in that position as long as you can retain the
breath. The palms should face forward, and this position will throw out
the upper chest finely. This movement should be repeated three or four
times.
All of these movements should be taken in loose clothing, without
corsets. If taken in the morning, they may be practised before the
mirror in undress costume. At any time a loose waist is absolutely
necessary.
Movements that keep the body balanced on the toes are good for grace and
poise.
Such an exercise is walking on tiptoe on a narrow board about six inches
high and thirty feet or more long, with arms extended wide, and a light
weight on cushions balanced on the head. Such an exercise cultivates the
spinal muscles, and helps to give the control over them that is
necessary for a graceful and even carriage of the body.
Peasants in foreign countries, who carry baskets full of produce up and
down hill, where walking is more difficult than on a level, are often
noted for their graceful bearing, which is undoubtedly cultivated by
this exercise.
What is called the deep-knee bend is another excellent balancing
movement, and may be practised as follows: Stand erect, hands on hips.
Rise on toes; then, bending the knees, sink down on the toes as far as
possible, holding the upper part of the body erect. Rise and rest on the
whole foot; then repeat. This is still more difficult if taken with arms
held above the head, or sidewise, shoulder high.
When out-of-doors a girl should learn to climb nimbly and well, trying
first on a low fence or a stout low tree. It is excellent practice, and
gives her good control of herself. For the same reason practise climbing
a ladder up and down, inside and outside. This is considered worthy of
being taught in the gymnasium, and girls may well learn it at home in
the country.
The practice and the courage it gives may some time save a girl's life,
and to learn how to use one's body in every sort of position is a part
of good training.
[Illustration: BASKET-BALL.]
For the same reason girls should play ball or other games that cultivate
dexterity and quick judgment, and that train the eye; and in the summer
many such sports are open to them as well as to boys.
A girl should also practise running whenever possible, and learn to run
in good form. It is an excellent exercise for the chest, and helps to
cultivate physical endurance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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