Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-08
How to Walk Properly.

Any woman can have pretty figure
and graceful carriage if she walks cor
rectly. but to do this she must avoid
the two most common faults. One Is
bringing forward the shoulders until the
back between the blades is curved c'Blbie
hacked it is called; the other is dis
tributing the weight so unevenly that the
abdomen protrudes. The latter will mean
hie hips as well as a distorted figure.
There would be no doubt of a woman
having her chest we'll expanded when she
walks II she would try to hold herself
as when having dress htteo- lhen
abe appears at her best. full-length
mirror showing her precisely what she
looks like. She will continue to hold her
self well when first putting on new
gown. Its lines and tightness assist III
the reformation, but quickly, as she pc
comes accustomed to 1t. she Stacks oack
into the old carelessness and that 1rock
Recomes as the otherS-Out or shape ana
stretched.
In standing correctly the body is thrown
forward a little SO that the weight comes
on the balls Of the feet. This makes
perpendicular line OF the spine, on whlch
The whole frame Is swung, and by Dalanc-
ing an erect carriage Is possible. Throw
ing back the shoulders does not mean. as
many women seem to think, that the alb
domen also Is to be thrust forward. on
the contrary, this must be held in a trifie.
as II will be when the weight is balanced
between the balls of the feet and the
SHINE. for II is impossible then to make
the lower part of the torso prominent
The tendency to lean forward in an ex-
aggerated manner. which IS sometimes
seen. is ridiculous and affected. 1t viii.
eventually deyelop the hips to abnormal
rroportfons because they are thrown out
of place and the gait will be awkward
One great advantage OF all calistnenlc
exercises is the suppleness given by which
ones walk becomes graceful. BY having
control of all parts of the body and keep
ing them timber they work in harmony.
precisely as a woman who is good horse
back rider gives unconsciously TO every
move Of the animal she is on.
In walking there should be unconscious
rhythm and unison between feet and hips
and knees and shoulders.
The ankles must be flexible and spring
with every step-that is. in advancing
the front of the foot goes down an imper-
ceptible second before the heel. and 10 do
this the ankle joint must work. When
the whole foot goes down at once Their
is the fiat" footed gait that is shutting
and stin. simultaneously with the ankle
action the knee must be ready to fall into
work, bending easily and without effort.
Otherwise a person will appear wooden
IN the walk. The hips are not absolutely
rigid but move slightly in the sockets.
a vulgar walk
The arms. hanging free, move slightly.
but should not be swung, and the whole
upper portion Of the body has a slight
but perfectly unimpeded action. which
might be called a sway in unison. The
head is held erect and the chest we'll ex-
banded. -,
A woman who walks in this way will
retain the youthfulness of her figure long
mast middle age and she will have what
for want of another word. is called pres
ence" 1t makes for distinction AS well
as grace and is worth practicing to
achieve.