The San Francisco call., 1906-04-01


little, and women must suit themselves
individually in this matter. The woman
who IN her own home is constantly
walking up and down stairs, running TO
and fro, would certainly be unwtse to
try regular dye-mile walk daily and
would find 1t more exhausting than in
vigcra ting and tonic In its effects. The
woman who has many steps TO take
during the day needs walk like
every one else. but 1t must be O. short
one. and dlverting and relaxing rather
1hau q rigorous exercise. During her
walk she should try to get away from
the nervous tension under which she Is
usually working. She should take
things easily; she should learn how to
stroll, that most calming and delight
full exercise Nothing is as good for
the nerves as the ability to walk slow
ly and steadily, It Is far removed from
the American woman's temperament,
yet every woman should cultivaterthe
art of walking leisurely. In slow move
ments she will find grace and harmony
of carriage and what Is even more TO
be desired, she will have an opportunity
to enjoy calmly the natural beauties
around her, for it Is to be hoped that
our girl takes her stroll in the park.
II she lives in big city, and that. she
keeps her eyes open to all the lcyeliness
greeting her on every hand
Most women when walking. give one
the impression of undergoing penance.
They make haste to get over the ground
and are entirely oblivious of their sur
roundings. This is the walk prescribed
by the family physician. probably as a
liver shaker, and taken as bitter
medicine, to be hustled through as soon
as possible. This is not the walk that
beauties the body or brightens ones
life. and yet that Is what walking
should be.
Whenever you take your walks
abroad think a little more of yourself
and less OF your hurry to get over the
ground Watch your reflection in the
windows OF the shops, watch your
shadow asit falls, and see whether its
lines are graceful or the contrary;
whether you are bending backward,
aggressively or gracefully forward
Watch for the fall of the foot, see
whether you are resting your weight
on the ball OF the foot, whether you
are toeing in or out. and. above all
thin gs, observe whether you are get
ting to enjoy the rhythmic fall OF your
steps. for it's the girl who keeps step,
whether slow or in quick time, who
wins in a walk.
1t Is in a frou-fror boudotr-a dream
in white and gold. with low, luxurious
D.
bury ones self, mirrors reaching from
floor to ceiling and various odd decora-
tive conceits-that the walking class
meets.
The professor, who, by the way, Is
a woman first discovers what her
puptls' particular CRIME against grace
may be, and then orders them out OF
corsets and into loose gowns.
And the walking lessons-how are
they conducted?
First, the neophyte is taught to stand
perfectly still on straight line, so that
the inside of the ball OF the foot touches
a mark made on the floor. Then these
pretty maids and matrons, all "toeing
the mark" sway their bodies back ana
forth, without moving the feet, or los
ing balance.
- This Is a much more difficult feat
than one might imagine, the human
body having been so long accustomed
to topping through life that the power
of balancing Is utterly lost.
The class is next taught to draw oir-
cles with the points of the toes, and to
kick-this to develop the muscular
power.
When first introduced, this exercise
Is greeted with numerous obs and
..ahs," and 81 really can't do that. II
IL quite simple, however. like many
other things when once you know now.
AS all these damsels nod and sway
and bow, 1t makes one quite dizzy TO
gaze upon them, but the exercise is the
best in the world for giving to the
waist and limbs elasticity and hexioil-
ity. which are absolutely necessary to
the charm of carriage which dlstln-
guishes one woman from another.
These Dianas next take their lesson
IN standing correctly. Shoulders and
hips are we'll drawn back; the chest
thrown out, and the chin drawn In
Chest, chin. lips and toes must come