The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1902-09-20
PHYSICAL CULTURE FOR WOMEN.

Great as are the benefits to be gain
ed from physical exercise when taken
up by men, the results are even more
marked with women. Their daily
pursuits are in part responsible for
this, for very few women take any,
thing like the proper amount of ex-
ercise. Work about the house calls
for activity of certain sort, to be
sure, but it is very likely to be of the
kind that taxes few muscles at the
expense of the rest. The busy house
wife is apt to become stopped, round
shouldered or fat-chested, unless she
pays careful attention to the carriage
of her body all through the day. Be-
coming weary over her tasks, she is
all too prone to take on an easy atti-
tude of relaxation, leans to one side,
or takes to the comfortable rocking
chair when she can find the opportu-
nifty. In this same rocking chair she
will rest the whole weight on the end
of the spine, aud then commence that
swaying to and fro that seems to her
so soothing-or possibly she keeps up
the endless swinging through mere
force of habit. However that may
be, she is laying up trouble for her.
self. Sitting incorrectly as she does
is bad enough, but add to it this con-
slant motion and you have a combi-
nation that is responsible for more
aches and pains and discomforts than
you have dreamed. Sit erect in your
chair. placing the weight of your
body were Nature intended. Keep
your chest we'll forward, and the ab-
domen will be naturally repressed.
Stand well, walk we'll, sit we'll hold
your head erect, and you, as well as
your friends, will soon be conscious
of an Improvement in figure and car
riage that is most gratifying.
We must not overlook the impor-
tance of the position that the mother
oftoday occupies. Upon her strength
and endurance, as well as upon her
intellectual force, depends the future.
If she will fortify herself by a physi-
cal upbuilding, a sturdy generation
of coming men and women will be
her reward.
To the business woman physical
culture is blessing indeed. Often
when night comes she is wearied to a
point of exhaustion, and only those
who have tried it can appreciate the
wonderful value in such case of ten
minutes vigorous exercise, followed
by refreshing bath. Not only are
the muscles made firm and full of
strength again, but the nerves are
steady and the eyes bright. That
headache has disappeared as if by
magic, and the erstwhile tired woman
is alert and ready for social evening
or one spent in study.
Those who sit a great deal (and
this includes ninety-nine out of one
hundred women, regardless of station
in life) are heirs to train of ills that
result from the torpid condition in
duced thereby. The blood circulates
but slowly, digestion and elimination
are sluggish, and the lungs fail to
expand as they should. The muscles
become fabby, allowing organs to
crowd and press. The eyes are dull
and the skin sallow, if not actually
disfgured by eruptions. But this
condition is easily prevented and over
come when proper activity is provi-
ded.
The habit of daily exercise will
work transformation that is pleas
ing to the eye as we'll as generation
to ones sense of well-being. A few
minutes each day given to exercise
will induce pair of strong, healthy,
well-flled lungs-and plenty of oxy-
gen means pure blood, rosy cheeks
and bright eyes it also will bring
about steady nerves, firm and SYM
metrical muscles, a splendid feeling
of conscious health and vigor, and a
happy disposition to look on the bright
side of all things. A torpid liver has
been responsible for many tragedy !;
unstrung nerves have broken up hap
py homes.
Aside from the consideration of
health and consequent happiness, is
that of an erect, well-formed, we'll
poised figure. Exercise will cover
bones with comely flesh, and replace
with delightful curves. Exercise will
also restore that shapeless mass of
flesh to its old-time girlish beauty of
outline. 1t will reduce the abdomen
and develop the chest, giving a figure
both shapely and graceful. Make for
yourself corset" of firm muscles,
interlacing to form a support that
will far surpass any invention of man.
The natural waist is round and slen-
der. 1t may measure more in actual
inches than the one for which tight
lacing is responsible, but it will have
the appearance of a more slender
beauty because Of its natural round
ness-and there will be in addition
an attractive suppleness that cannot
be gained in any other way. This is
not intended as an argument against
the corset. But it is one in favor of
exercise for the muscles of the waist,
that they may be made firm and
strong, adding to beauty as we'll as
health.
Make your exercise a habit. It
will take only few minutes each
day, in the privacy of your own room,
and in a short time the work will be-
come pleasure-as much a part of
your routine as eating and sleeping.
But do not make the mistake of over
doing in your enthusiasm. Exercise
wisely and we'll, and you will be
amply repaid by rich store of health
and strength; by an increased beauty
and animation, by added years of use
full 1iving.-Eedeyick w. Stone, in
Tie Wew Century.
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