The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1891-01-24
WOMEN MADE GRACEFUL.
Physical Training for the Fair
Sex.
Every Lady Can Turn Her Own Room
Into Gymnasium and Acquire
Strength and Grace With
out d Teacher.

Gymnastic training for women is be-
coming fashionable in America, as it
has been for some time in Europe At
first clubs and dumb-bells were in vogue
and young girls developed their mus
cles in the same way as men and with
like effects. The result of this devel-
opment of muscularity, says the Chi
cago Evening Post, was by no means
satisfactory. Girls became strong and
healthy, but lost in grace and feminine
bearing, and after a few years of mar
ried life they showed tendency to
beefy stoutness that was the reverse of
charming. This produced reaction and
it was found that masculine exercises
are unsuited to women.
Now new kind of physical training
for women is coming into vogue, and it
has the advantage of not requiring a
teacher or attendance at gymnasium.
Every girl can practicein in her own room.
The preliminary preparation is
breathing exercise. Tho girl stands
erect with heels together, head well
thrown back and arms straight down by
the sides. Then long breath is drawn,
initiating the lungs thoroughly. This
will start the circulation and will pre-
pare the body for other exerci ises. 1t
should be done with the windows open,
so that the air of the room may be
pure.
The next is head exercise and is
done while standing in the same posi-
ton. This is done by bending the head
slowly forward and back and to the
sides and then quickly around as far as
possible from both sides. Girls with
slim necks will find this exercise very
useful. 1t develops every muscle of the
neck and chest and gives grace and
mobility to the motions of the neck
which show to great advantage. This
is a favorite exercise with actresses and
society ladies whose dress exposes the
neck.
For strengthening, broadening and
developing the chest and shoulders
there are number of exercises. First,
in the same old position, the arm is
brought, with the hand open and with
out bending the elbow, around by the
side of the head and body in circular
or cartwheel motion. This is done as
rapidly as possible, always being care
full not to let tho elbow bend. This is
very good for girls who are what is
known as ''hollow chested." -..aga
Another chest exercise is done by
bringing the closed hands rapidly up to
the chest, palms out, and exhaling at
| the same time. This is also good for
the muscles of the arm. Another is to
take stick of some kind, Sn old broom
handle, umbrella, any thing that is
handy, try bringing it up over the head
and down behind, keeping the arms per-
fectly rigid.
There are two exercises which are
used great deal for the back and lower
limbs, one of which is done by trying
without bending the knees to touch the
tips of the.fngers to the floor. This is the
one athletic exercise in which woman
exhibits her superiority over man. The
second one is done by trying to rise
from sitting position on the floor with
out touching the hands to the floor,
using one foot only. The exercise dis
counts all the patent pads on the conti-
nent as hip developer.
| One more exefclSe may De recommends
ed which must be gone through careful
ly. Take chair, use it for supporting
the hands, which you will have to place
quite far apart, stand as far back as your
arms will permit and bring the body
down until the chest rests on the chair.
Then send it tack again. This gives
action to the muscles of the arm and
forearm, to chest and back, to the neck
and, in short, is an exercise for the
whole body. rass4v.''e
Ten minutes work in the morning
and ten at night are sufficient. When
the exercises for the day are over a
crash or Turkish towel should be taken
and the body rubbed until the blood is
we'll started and the system in glow.