The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-01-24
WOMEN MADE GRACEFUL.
Physical Training for the Fair
Sex.
.Evory Lady Can Turn Her Own Room
.Iuto a Gymnasium and Acquire
Strength and Grnce with
out II Teacher,


Gymnastio 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. Tho result of this devel-
opment Of musoularity, 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 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 a new kind of physical training
for women is coming into vogue, and it
has the advantage Of not requiring o
teacher or attendance at gymnasium.
Every girl can practice in her own room.
The preliminary preparation is
breathing exercise. Tho girl stands
erect with heels together, head we'll
thrown back and arms straight down by
the sides. Then long breath is drawn,
initiating tho lungs thoroughly. This
will start the circulation and will pre-
pare the body for other exercises. 1t
should be done with the windows open,
so that tho air of the room may be
pure.
Tho next is head exercise and is
done whilo standing in tho samo posi-
ton This is done by bending the head
slowly forward and back and to tho
sides and then quickly around Us far as
possible from both sides. Girls with
slim, nccks will find this exercise very
useful. 1t develops every muscle of tho
neck and chest and gives grace and
mobility to the motions of tho necs-
which show to great advantage. This
is favorito exercise with actresses and
society ladies whose dress exposes the
neck.
For strengthening, broadening and
developing the chest and shoulders
there arc 4 number of exercises. First
in tho same old position, tho arm is
brought, with the hand open and with
out bending the elbow, around by the
side of tho head and body in n circular
or cartwhccl motion. This is done as
rapidly as possible, always being care
full not to let tho elbow bend. Th:s is
very good for girls who are what is
known as ''hollow chestcd."
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
tho muscles Of the arm. Another is to
take stick of some kind, an old broom
handle, umbrella, any thing that is
handy, try bringing it up over the head
n Y,H IND no
feotly i.gid.
used 4 great deal ior the back and lower
limbs, one of which is uono by trying
without bonding tho knees to touch the
tips az the fingers to tho floor. This is the
one cthletic exercise in which woman
exhibits her superiority ovor man. Tho
second one is done by trying TO rise
from sitting position on tho floor with
ont touching the hands to tho floor,
using ono loot only. Tho exercise die
counts ali the patent pads on the CONT
nent as a hip developer.
One more exercise may be reco;nmend-
ed which must be Como through careful
~. Take a chair, use it for supporting
the hands, which you will have to place
quite far apart, stand as far back as your
arms 1vill permit and bring tho body
down until tho chest rests on the chair
Then send it back again. This gives
sction to the muscles of tho arm and
forearm, to chest and back, to the neck
and, i'll short, is an exercise for tho
whole body.
Ten minutes work in the morning
and ten at night arc sufficient When
the exercises for the day arc over a
crash or Turkish towel should be taken
and the body rubbed until tho blood is
we'll started and tho system in q glow.