St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-03-19
PHYSICAL CULTU RE.
Something About the Home Gym
naSium.

something ABOUT the nome Oym-
nasium.
Most of humanity's misery arises
from lack of moral courage caused by
physical weakness. We do not suspect
the weak, delicate man of much cour-
age, but to find the strong athlete lack
ing in bravery would indeed seem a
par adoX. Society demands for its own
preservation that every human being
has the right to be we'll and healthily
born. This is the inalienable right
which each individual possesses, and
the parents who, by their untitnesS. have
robbed their offspring of this power,
commit an unfathoma0le wrong against
the whole race.
But our Americans Of today show
such Dissemination toward raising large
families that the saying America for
Americans" seems rather like sar-
casm. The American of former gen
eratiOnS would fnd himself rather
lonely amongst this influx Of foreigners.
1t seems rather Il sense of mistaken
delicacy to avoid so vital a subject as
this. There is no higher sphere for
woman than wifehood and motherhood.
We may respect the independent
woman of business; we may admire
the intellectual woman, and perhaps
achieves, but it is the true wife and
tender, loving mother we love,
and who cannot be spared. any.
more than can our homes and families be
scattered and society still exist. Young
women who expect to enter the state OF
wedock should be strong mentally and
physically, for such are the women
whose sons are the most brilliant, the
most capable of ruling. The mother
ought always find little time for self
improvement, even at the expense Of
other duties. which, while they seem
important at the time, will not be of the
lasting significance of this seeming
selfishnesS. She and her daughters can
strengthen themselves by the exercises
| whose value cannot be overestimated.
| The nervous system, the muscles, the
whole body can be so invlgorated that ILL
! health shall be almost unknown.
Each household could easily have one
| room that has good free ventilation in
which to throw an old mattress or quilt
upon the floor to fall, tumble or lie on.
laULet the children turn backward
! sOmersaults. lie fiat on the back, keep
their feet firmly on the floor put the
| hands to the back of the head; now
raise upper part of the body from the
| floor. Next, keep the upper body down
and raise the feet simultaneously, now
jTaise first head, then feet in a sort of
rocking motion. These movements
| strengthen the back.
For chest development and arm
muscles, lie OH the face with hands
resting on the sides parallel with the
chest; elbows bent, raise the body off
the floor strengthening the elbows; then
Tower. bending again at elbows, and
| come down touching chest first and
stomach last. If this produces soreness
for a few days little rubbing will re-
| Heve the pain.
! {, !, A word of warning will not be mis-
! placed. Not every enc needs nor can
DO the same exercise. One would
| scarcely recommend letter carrier to
walk, nor would the one whose work
compels them to sit great deal be very
much benefited by floor exercises. The
busy housekeeper thinks she gets
plenty of exercise; so she does, but let
her use some of the muscles not brought
into play doing homework, and she will
feel it as much as her more idle sister
who does nothing. Each performer
should have her exercises selected ac-
cOrding to her needs, by some Judicious
teacher. Thus can she receive full ben
| fit from her exertions.
BESSIE MYERS.