The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1910-12-03
Exercises:
~ &'r Y
7, for.
Every. Day
BY Harriet Coates

now dlStresSlngly few of them are shape
~ and strong. Instead of high chests.
plump arms, comedy figures and grace
full carriage you see fiat chests, angular
shoulders, often round and warped for
ward, with scrawny necks, painfully
thin arms and legs, narrow backs and
weak walk.
You will scarcely find one girl in
dozen thoroughly erect. whether walk
ing, standing sitting Nearly every
head is pitched forward; the arms ara
frequently held almost motionless, hang
ing down Imply, and there is, moreover.
a general lack Of springiness and elias
ITCHY in their movements.
Let us go a little farther and watch
these girls at play. You will convince
yourself that but few of the games they
anuse themselves with bring them really
vigorous exercise. II they attempt to
run hardly one in the party has the
swift, graceful gliding motion she might
SO readily acquire. Not one can: run any
distance at good pace.
You will realize that most of their
exercise worth calling vigorous is for
their feet alone, the hands seldom have
much to do, and this inactivity prevents
them from becoming fully developed and
forceful.
AS the girl comes home from school
you will observe that instead Of look
ing light and strong and free, she is
too often what she really appears to
condition is then blamed on an over
abundance of mental work at school,,
and very unjustly so. It is not the
mental work which is breaking her:
down, but lack of adequate physical
exercise to build her up.
No girl is at school over six hours out
of every twenty-four and deducting the
time taken for recitations and recess,
the five hours, or even less, will cover
the time she gives to actual brain work
in school. With the balance of the time
practically her own, there is ample time
for all the physical exercise and play
she needs. and yet allow ten or twelve
hours for sleep.
The usual exercise which a school girl
takes is to walk to and from school,
play few minutes at recess, take an
occasional stroll, or she may engage in
some OF the various children's. games;
but all the time she is intent on their
conversation, never thinking of the exer-
else itself, and the benefit 1t gives.
And now, what is the result? Exactly
what such exercise, or rather such lack
of it, would bring. 1 am certain that
there will be no doubt as to the result
few years later and there should be
no wonder If the neglected body develops
some partial weakness or debility.
If the body, during the growing years,
was called upon to do nothing to assist
in perfectly developing it, while the
brain was pushed to its utmost, does it
stand to reason that the physical would
long be able to support the mental?
The question has often been asked of
me: Will not physical exercise dull the
mind for it's work? My answer is: No,
not if INDUCED in properly and sensibly.
However, if protracted several hours,
or the greater part of each day, no doapt
it would OVERRIDING exercising is just
as bad as not doing it suff1ciently-the
road Of the golden medium is always
the one to follow if good results are
expected.
For the lean, as we'll as the stout Wo-
man or girl I would advise exercise to
gain symmetry. -,
rxercises are here given that will
.or,,e for either the mother or chlld' IL
INDUCED in regularly and metnooicanS'
M not make a mistake by thinking you
,,;,, correct a fault quickly by INDUCING
~ too vigorous practice. or I'LL over
fo+;oued. Exercise in moderation nl'''
&c ,nv stiffness should occur, do not ols'
,+;nue hut use less energy until you
,,a become thoroughly accustomed 10
r,oso exercises may be practlced WIN
out anv special previous prepar@'o''
other than the removal OF cofseAS anu
al, other tight-htting garments A"s
- aosssary. in order to facll1ta1e ana
o;,.a freedom to the movements u ''e
BODY.
To begin the first exercise stand erect
foot together, hands resting on inc
,,,xs fakimbo). Standing so, slowly bend
tho trunk. forward-holding legs tense
-. shown in illustration No. l. Hold TINS
nosit;on for a few seconds, and then
s,o,,,v raise. the trunk to an uprlen6
position.
Here rest a few seconds and then oeno
backward to the limit. Remember that
tho bending must be done at the hlps'
MT the legs or the back.
Now resume an upright position tstlli'
holding the first position), after which
hend the trunk first to the right, then
tho loft. This complete exercise may
he repeated eight or ten times, and will
ho found all that is desired in strength
entng and irlvigoratipg the various or
cans which compose the trunk.
One organ, the stomach will especially
be acted on: strongly, and when one
considers the important part which the
stomach plays ii, keeping the remainder
Of our body in proper condition, one
should feel :doubly justified in giving
much attention and thought to;this one
exercise. =. l. . s5s5{I .s5 =. *..st to- !.
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