Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-28
THE QUEST OF BEAUTY
Walking As an Art That All
Should Cultivate.
OPEN AIR EXERCISES
FIRST MASTER THE SCIENCE OF
GOING UPSTAIRS.
The Gait That Fashion and Custom
Demand at the Present
Time. ~
OPEN AIR EXERCISES

Written fer The Evening Star by Katherine Morton.
Stair climbing as a means to secure grace
Of locomotion Is perhaps novel idea. 1t
Is nevertheless true that the woman who
has mastered the art Of going upstairs
Is the one who, as to her gait, may be
likened to a Diana following the hounds.
place me with my rival in the presence
Of a man in whom we are both interested,
and the first thing should do would be to
walk upstairs" says one who knows how
to walk, and who above all has learned the
art Of stair climbing.
Trained stair climbers should be the
healthiest and the most graceful Of women.
In any town where the hills are steep
you find the most graceful pedestrians.
You will also find healthy race of women.
Medical authorities go SO far as to rec
ommend walking upstairs correctly as good
to relieve indigestion; and it also tends to
reduce prominent abdomens.
Therefore, the common bugbear of house
keepers may become a boon. One ought
to reach the top of the stairs exhilarated-
feeling the glow of healthy exercise.
"Those stairs will be the death of me
yet" is an expression frequently heard
1t is not the stairs. dear madam, but the
way you climb them.
In the first place, be sure to take your
time, go slowly and deliberately. Remem-
Der that you are lifting the weight of the
body many times, and 1t Is no light exer-
else.
Put the whole foot lightly but squarely
on the step, heel and all. Usually person
will tread on the ball of the foot in taking
each step. This Is very .tiresome and wear
ing on the muscles Of the legs and feet.
for the most equal distribution Of the
body's weight possible. In this way there
Is no strain on any particular muscle, but
each one Is doing it's duty in a natural
manner.
Keep the weight we'll over the advanced
foot. with the chest the farthest point for
ward. Don't bend over double when as
cending flight of stairs, for this is ex-
ceedingly reprehensible In any exertion
of this kind, when the heart is naturally
excited to more rapid action, 1t Is desirable
that the lungs should have full play. There
FORE don't bend double when climbing
stairs. The croucf1ing position interferes
with the lungs action, the blood is imper-
fectly aerated, and there is trouble at once.
GIVE the lungs a chance to do their work
everywhere and at all times
The body should be inclined forward only
slightly. You have probably seen women
ascending stairs lean so far over that when
they turned the spiral they invariably put
their hands on the upper stairs.
A girl will complain of backache, saying
You know, l nave to go up and down
stairs SO much" Another girl will climb
not have an achfrg back any other UNI
comfortable result. The secret in both
cases lies In the way they do it. The work
that the back has to do ought to be no
greater gong upstairs correctly than when
walking on level. The legs are the mem
bers which ought to perform that. service
for you.
With a heavy, fiat-footed tramp. wo-
man puts severe strain on the back such
step Earring the spine as well as the head
She is uncomfortable, and to make the or
zeal as short as possible she hurries, posi-
bly, runs. Naturally, the body remonstra 90
at such unjust treatment.
DON'T run upstairs. Let the movement
from step to step be gradual and graceful
a caress of the structure, IL you will. instead
OF a kick, or an attempt to push holes in the
steps. -.
The stairway may be the walkers gym
fui gait may very well first take lessons in
going upstairs. The art. Of coming down-
stairs, too, should receive attention.
Holo the body erect and take each step
the knees bend evasdvely, thereby producing
q general tumble-down f1abbiness of the
whole personal EXPRESSION Walk erectly.
with the chest well archet, and the hips
thrown back. Don't throw the shoulders
far back Of the line OF the hips, nor hold
the arms ng1day at the sides. The upper
point OF the forehead and the most prorni-
nent part OF the chest should be uplifted' as
II one were trying to push up through the
ceiling.
When walking in the street 1t is a good
plan to try to look over the tops of the car
riages; this will help to Keep the head up.
II the chin is somewhat tip-tilted, 1t has
a charm all its own and may be cultivated
to advantage by one possessed of piqAant
face Excessive relaxation of the neck and
pitching the head forward with undue strain
OF the lower body is very awkward and de-
stroys harmony. dignity and grace.
Take free and firm. but light stride bal
q rnay>t - {t,<l.
ly upon each hip, but without swaying Ii
percephbly me impetus forward should
be given with slight spring from the hall
OF the foot nhe leg should be held straight,
the least physical expense and with the
greatest ease. comfort. beauty and health
fulness
subtla and mighty charm There ara mis-