Tokology : $b A book for every womanStockham, Alice B. (Alice Bunker)
Science
Tokology : $b A book for every woman
Stockham, Alice B. (Alice Bunker)
Women -- Health and hygiene
When I was in medical college, some of our lecture rooms were on the
fourth floor, and my own room was also on the fourth floor; both of
these buildings had high ceilings. I used to pride myself in starting
at the first floor, and running to the top without stopping. I then
wore the “American costume,” and was nearly as free in my dress as a
man. Ever since, stairs have presented no more difficulties to me than
a level floor.
A lady told me that with her third child she practiced going up and
down stairs on purpose for the exercise. The result was the easiest
labor and the best recovery she ever had experienced.
In climbing hills, observe the same rules--_keep the mouth closed_,
expel slowly through the nose, and stand erect. Not long since I read
a long letter, upon running, written to boys (and why not to girls
as well?) The writer claimed that the whole secret of being able to
run and defy all competitors, was to _keep the mouth closed_. Why?
Simply because it _forces deep breathing_, and compels the use of the
diaphragm. Any one can prove this. So with any exercise, but especially
in climbing hills or stairs, _keep the mouth closed_.
Let me urge and emphasize that the pregnant woman must walk, ride,
take gymnastics, climb hills and stairs, beginning according to her
strength, and increasing the amount from day to day. Upon strength,
power and vigor of muscles, largely depends easy labor.
The _Delsarte_ system of esthetic gymnastics is a method of physical
training leading to the cultivation of grace and strength. Truthful or
natural expression of one’s individuality is the key-note of Delsarte’s
thought. This is really a desirable means of obtaining rest, for it
teaches giving up all unnecessary tension. In this it is quite the
opposite of other methods of gymnastics. This _letting go_ or _giving
up_, can not be done all at once. The teachers of the system give a
series of exercises to free the different parts of the body; first the
head, then the hands and feet, then the muscles of the waist and chest.
Deep breathing aids in freeing the vital organs. _All_ forces of the
body are thus allowed a natural and graceful expression.
Annie Payson Call, in her tract on the Regeneration of the Body, says:
“The soul can be regenerated and the body remain disorderly; the body
can be trained to a fine physical life and action and the soul remain
unregenerate; but certainly the _fulness of life_, both for this world
and the next, must come from a more perfect harmony of the material
body with the soul.”
CHAPTER XI.
CHASTITY IN THE MARRIAGE RELATION.
“So dear to heaven is saintly chastity,
That when a soul is found sincerely so,
A thousand liveried angels lackey her.”
--MILTON.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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