The Washington times., 1914-05-14
Bv MRS. MARY GALE DAVIS.

The problems OF health and the
ability TO control the weaknesses
produced by environment. hercdity.
and mistaken training have become
large since VIC learned that people
are rarely criminals wLcn they are
healthy and well balanced. They
may be we'll fed and we'll housed,
but there is more which they must
learn for themselves. The must
learn 20 breathe we'll, and % be
balanced in mind and body. We also
have learned that We must spread
the gospel w.lich makes for health
and mental and moral poise through
the entire community. IL we are 10
get satisfactory results
Ii was my privilege to be given a
great system of rhythmic training.
which overcUmes many weaknesses,
gives splendid self-control. and keeps
the spirit young. | gladly Welcome
any opportunity to tell people of II.
Sense and motor training are pre-
dominant phases. with the idea that
greater mental and physical power is
gained by the individual who is led
to train her mind to direct her
hands and other movements with 2
definite purpose. Too much cannot
Dt Sdlu inc Ntlue Ol ny lnHllF
training for health and for command
of ones self. At first. taught
rhythm, but as | nave observed re-
suits in more than a thousand stu
dents. it has become So wonderful
and sar-rea ching in its possibilities
that now rhythm leads me. md, in
its leading. l catch glimpses of what
it will do for the human race.
Rhythm Is the perfect and rdtur3l
mode n aInnnaanf nd
preston in the universe. II s the
law OF life
Rhythm Gives Harmony.
Environment, mode of living.
heredity, etc. seem TO break the
perfect order of harmony of natural
development. in many instances. in
plant and animal life. and We see
the results in the broken rhythms-
III" mishaps ard the misfits-all
about us in the gnarled trees and
crippled individuals found in all
St'geS of life
Rhythmic training for the child.
along the line ~ evolutionary de-
veloEment in race and Individual.
cerreCts many % these results In
mankind and restores his natural
heritage in harmonizmG mental.
physical. moral. and spiritual
growth. The law or principle gov
eruing the rhythmic movements
which give strength. power. and con
troll OF the entire being. is that OF
movement from fundamentals to
accessories.
TIL, fundamental muscles are
those "f tn" trunk. thighs. and
shoulders. They carry the larger
blood and lymph vessels. and are
tho oldest and strongest muscles in
racial and individual development.
They are controlled by the earliest
developed nerve cells. which direct
the strong. large movements Of the
body The accessory muscles ana
nerve cells are more recently devel-
Opel in race and individual. They
NOR. easily fatiGu" and break down
unless stimulated regularly by eNer-
cisr$ OF tn. fundamental muscles and
nerves.
Tho dancer learns how 1" fold
and unfold each part Of he" body.
independently and III Co-ordlnah hnn
with other parts. following IN"
Rhythmic law. the initial impulse l"
movement coming from the torso:
thus. through concentrate" "n"'t
an power from within. IN" entire
body Is brought under control OF
tho individual will. This is freedom.
The quicker. lighter. more JOYOUS
mo- ements of the accessories are IN
response to the softer. quicker. hlSh-
81 tones of the music. students are