Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-03
THE QUEST OF BEAUTY
Blessings That Accrue From
Proper Breathing.
IMPROVES THE FIGURE
ENLARGEs THE CHEST AND RE-
DUCEs THE ABDOMEN.
Simple Exercises for Daily Practice
Stimulating the Whole
Body.
IMPROVES THE FIGURE

Written for The Evening Star by Katherine Morton.
Now, what do you thing we must all do
next If we want to make ourselves over
into beauties?" asked Isabella Manhattan
of her companion.
Its nothing new, of course" she con-
tnued, but it's stupid. We must learn
to breathe, lust as though we hadn't been
breathing ever since were born, at least
1 presume we have"
'Tiresome. isn't ito" said her companion
sympathetcally.
Yes, indeed. just old-fashioned every
day breathing, only with improvements,
with frills and Observation-Disclosures breath
ing, they call it, ard there is TO use, alb
solutely no use, anyone trying to be be-
witching and charming unless she practice
rhythmic breathing every day of her life.
1t will give full, well-rounded outlines and
beautiful curves"
Most girls realize that if they want Juno
esque proportions they must take some
trouble, although it need not take much
time to acquire the art of proper or scieu-
titic breathing; five or ten minutes daily
is all that is necessary.
First learn to manage what breath you
have, then increase your store. This is ac-
complished by building up power to hold
ones breath.
The first day. taking the correct standing
position, the body straight, but not stiff,
the weight resting lightly on the balls of
the feet, while the heels just touch the
floor, the head and chest upright, nhale
slowly and smoothly as much air as you
can, swelling out the lower chest at the
sides Just below the armpits the air is
drawn in. While inhaling slowly raise
both arms. as If they were lifted by the
breath; this is rhythmic breathing. Inhale
until the arms are nearly on a level with
the shoulders, where they are held for a
few seconds.
The First Day.
Now exhale slowly and gradually, at the
same time lowering the arms. Breathe
out until the lungs are empty. During the
exhalation keep the upper chest still
Don't let it sink, which it certainly will do
unless restrained by an effort of the will
Now inhale again, holding the breath for
a longer time than before. With each in
halation and exhalation slowly raise and
lower the arms, which movements help to
regulate the length of the inhalation and
exhalation. Ten minutes spent in this
way is enough for the first days practice
1t is, indeed. enough time to spend daily
for the first week.
While taking as long breath as you can
throw back your shoulders and take a
measurement of your chest while holding
your breath. See how much this measure
ment exceeds your normal chest measure
ment. At the end of a months practice
take the mea surements again, and you will
find that the normal measurement has
much increased: in other words. that your
chest has developed. The increase should
be from one to- two inches at the end of
two or three months according to the con-
dition of the respiratory organs at the time
of beginning to practice.
In taking chest measurements begin
first with the chest contracted-that is all
the breath out; then take the measurements
with lungssexpanded or filled; then the nor
NAL measurement In taking measurements
it must be- remembered that they are to be
taken In the same position of the body and
in the same way, perhaps twice month or
oftener if one wants to find out If there has
been gain and record 1t.
Bnlargipg the Chest.
1t Is not given;- to every one to add
four inches to the chest measurement with
in five months. But this has been done by
practicing Adeep breathing daily; not now
and then, bet it be borne in mind, but by
persistent ndaily exercise. This persona
gentlemand by thesway-also had the good
luck to take five inches from his rather
too generous waist measurement in the
same length of time and to reduce his
weight from 260 pounds to 213 pounds
An exercise which forces open every dis
used air cell in the lungs and stimulates the
sluggish ones to healthy action is taken nv
ly emptying the lungs. Now take a success
sion of little indrawing breaths without let
ting any air escape. Continue this until
the lungs are completely full and distended
to their utmost capacity. ExhaIe in one
long, restful breath.
For another movement, carry the arms
back and forth with swinging motion
frcm the shoulders only. inhaling at the
same time. While holding the breath, de-
scribe two three circles, exhaliny as
you bring both arms. with clenched fists,
back to the shoulders. with elbows bent
Repeat these movements with each arm sep
arateIy For another movement, taking a
deep breath. curve first enc arm and then
the other toward the shoulder. Inhale as