The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1890-12-26
LESSONS.


WALKING LESSONS.
--
Miss Mabel Jenness, sister of Mrs. Jen-
ness-Miller, is instructiug classes Of ladies
in graceful walking. which is also most
heathful. These are some of her rules,
and the directions for breathing VIII as
tonish some women. who have never
thought they could breathe below the belt.
First there comes the poise of the body;
next the manner of breathing; then the
swing of the limb from the Improvement
as to direction and length OF step; lastly,
the carriage of arms and hands. This is
the detail OF walking. To insure a good
walk and carriage each must be considered
and practiced in turn. Standing firmly on
both feet, the poise is given by elevating
the chest and apparently leaning forward
until it is on a level with the toes. APP
parently only, BECAUSE this is the true
balance of the human figure. 1t gives a
sense of frmness at the waist line and the
back. contracts the muscles across the
E0Oulutibt III Xix bN"' ""s
weight upon the neck, where it belongs;
throws the arms to this front instead of
against the side, and adding To the width
of the body, hich is awkard. Try this
position. and a sense OF power, OF command,
OF freedom is instantly felt. IL is like an
inspiration. The Greeks well understood
this law of balance, and it is that knowl-
edge which gave the impress of nobility,
of strength and of grace as we'll to their
statues. The games, tho festivals, the life
in the open air, gave them, teo, no lack oil
models.
THE BREATHING
The position secured, breathing with
the muscles below tie diaphragm the
Inns closet, except for an occasional res
p~iration to free tie lungs, never an inspi-
rstiou-isa matter of practice which IN
time BECOMES hahit. IL will keep one
erect aud give strength when nothing else
sci = u. ytiFsnt Is siraiglt Tor" ard.
s. IN q lautallH % EACH foot 20 The right
aud eft, Lne weight of lhe body balanced
on the ball or sp1irg Of the foot. Ii The
touch is too far forward it gives n "skippy"
walk; if too far back there is a constant
thud Of the heel, which jars The walker
with every step. The swing Of the limb
i, from the hip, not from the knee, which
is but slightly bent. The arms are to be
carried as necessary ap~pendages III walk
ing, swinging from the shoulder, the ell
bows obliterated, with no more motion IN
the hand than to a ball on the end OF a
length of cord-easy, not stiff.
The principles well IN mind, with the
daily practice comes Inconsistencies,
pleasure, delight at a long stretch OF by
path or roadway. One learns just ones
strength; how far to test muscle and nerve
without strain or injury. Tho enthusiasm
is contagious; three, four, half a dozen
friends begin to practice together, ana
the walking club soon becomes a POPULAR
thing in city and village. The stronger
members have consideration for the weaker,
and before a great while they are all pretty
evenly graded. The weight OF clothing
must be reduced to the minimum. A
plain round skirt Of dark color, blouse
waist, easy shoes with broad sole and low
wide heel, a light hat to shade the face, or
atennis cap, a narrow leather strap across
shoulder and chest, holding a compact roll
in which are a Jacket aud Il few light tot
let articles-this is tho outfit tor a short
walking tour. Tie costume may be as
becoming as the tennis suit Of a fashion,
able BELLE