The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-16
How to Acquire a Pretty Throat.

Philadelphia Telegraph.
With the winter social season at our very
threshold, it behooves every girl who as
| pires to wear low-necked dance frocks to
achieve as pretty a throat and shoulders
as possible, if nature has not given them
to her. A throat that shows discouraging
hollows and shoulders that resemble door
knobs can be made to take on rounded
curves and pretty contours with very little
trouble. And not only are ones good looks
enhanced, but the health is improved as
we'll.
Correct breathing is the open sesame to
this happy combination of beauty and
health. And one must not only learn to
breathe correctly. but to stand correctly,
both for the breathing exercises and at
all times. In the correct position the knees
should be perfectly rigid. the chest held
out well and the stomach drawn in, while
the back of the head and shoulders should
touch the wall. In order to make sure that
this position will be kept it is well to
walk into the center of the room and then
back to position again several times.
When this exercise has been sufficiently
we'll practiced. the deep breathing is be-
gun, and this consists in drawing in air
through the nostrils into the lungs until
the utmost capacity has been reached, and
then gradually allowing it to exhale
through the nostrils. In this the shoulders
are thrown we'll back and the chest is
lifted.
The next exercise consists in lifting the
arms to the height of the shoulders, and
after pressing them back as far as posi-
BILE, bringing them forward with the elbows
rigid and using all the muscular force in
pushing toward the front until the palms
meet. In this the breath is exhaled while
the arms are brought forward, and 1t is in
hailed as they are brought back relaxed.
The next exercise consists In raising the
arms from the side, with the elbows still
rigid, and using the same amount of mus
cular force, toward and above the head
together. Here again the breath Is exhaled
in raising the arms and inhaled when they
are brought down, relaxed. Next comes
the exercise in which the breath is drawn
in and, rising on tiptoes, the effort is made
to take in still more air. Coming again
to the standing posture with the feet firm
on the floor. knees rigid. and abdomen held
! in, the muscles of the diaphragm are ex-
that the force of the muscular effort will
push away a hand held lightly against that
portion.
Last of all comes the exercise in which,
while lying on the floor fiat, with the arms
folded lightly over the chest and the neck
held as rigidly as possible, the head and
neck are raised up and over the chest as
many times as ones strength will permit.
All of these exercises are, of course, to
be performed in a loosely fitting gown, in
a well-ventilated room, with the windows
open a little, so that the purest oxygen
may be inhaled. Given a little patience,
some perseverance and the proper exer-
cises, correctly performed, and there need
be no more hollow-cheeked damsels, with
scrawny necks and fat chests, for this
work will not only cure them of these minor
troubles, but 1t will actually help them
mentally as we'll as physically. The exer-
else will tend to make of them sensible ex-
ponents of the virtues Of gymnastics at
home.