Physical Exercise
Aside
from breathing, gymnastics in general--or in the case of illness
or deformity, special corrective and curative exercises--should
be taken every day.
Physical
exercise has similar effects upon the system as hydrotherapy, massage
and manipulative treatment. It stirs up the morbid accumulations
in the tissues, stimulates the arterial and venous circulation,
expands the lungs to their fullest capacity, thereby increasing
the intake of oxygen, and most effectively promotes the elimination
of waste and morbid materials through skin, kidneys, bowels and
the respiratory tract.
Furthermore,
well-adapted, systematic physical exercises tend to correct dislocations
of spinal vertebrae and other bony structures. They relax and soften
contracted and hardened muscles and ligaments and tone up those
tissues which are weakened and abnormally relaxed. Regular physical
exercise means increased blood supply, improved nutrition and better
drainage for all the vital organs of the body.
By
means of systematic exercise, combined with deep breathing, the
liberation and distribution of electromagnetic energies in the system
are also greatly promoted.
Most
persons who have to work hard physically are under the impression
that they need not take special exercises. This, however, is a mistake.
In nearly all kinds of physical labor only certain parts of the
body are called into action and only certain sets of muscles exercised,
while others remain inactive. This favors unequal development, which
is injurious to the organism as a whole. It is most necessary that
the ill effects of such one-sided activity be counteracted by exercises
and movements that bring into active play all the different parts
of the body, especially those that are neglected during the hours
of work.
Systematic
physical exercise is an absolute necessity for brain workers and
those following sedentary occupations. They not only need breathing
gymnastics and corrective movements mornings and evenings, but should
take regular daily walks, no matter what the condition of the weather.
Unless they do this faithfully, their circulation will become sluggish
and their organs of elimination inactive. The cells and tissues
of their bodies will gradually become clogged with morbid encumbrances,
and this will inevitably lead to physical and mental deterioration.
General Rules
a.
Weak persons and those suffering from malignant diseases,
such as cancer, tuberculosis, heart trouble, asthma, or from displacements
and ruptures, or who are liable to apoplectic seizures, etc., should
not take these or any other vigorous exercises except under the
supervision of a competent physician.
b. At least twice a day all parts of the respiratory
apparatus should be thoroughly exercised (see Chapter Twenty-Eight
on Breathing Exercises). Deep breathing should accompany every corrective
movement, whether it be a special breathing exercise or not.
c. Begin your exercises each day with light movements
and change gradually to more vigorous ones, then reverse the process,
ending with light, relaxing movements.
d. When beginning to take systematic exercise,
do not make the separate movements too vigorous or continue them
too long. If any of them cause pain or considerable strain, omit
them until the body becomes stronger and more flexible. The muscular
soreness often resulting from exercise at the beginning is, as a
rule, of little consequence and disappears before long. The different
movements should be practiced in spite of it, because that is the
only way to relieve and overcome this condition.
e. Stop when you begin to feel tired. Never overdo;
you should feel refreshed and relaxed after exercising, not tired
and shaky.
f. Do not take vigorous exercise of any kind within
an hour and a half after eating, nor immediately before meals. It
is a good plan to rest and relax thoroughly for about fifteen minutes
before sitting down to the table.
g. Whenever practicable, exercise out of doors.
If indoors, perform the movements near an open window or where there
is a current of fresh air.
h. Exercise undressed, if possible, or in a regular
gymnasium suit that gives free play to all the muscles. If dressed,
loosen all tight clothing. Ladies should wear their garments suspended
from the shoulders by means of shoulder braces, or so-called reform
waists, the skirts being fastened to these.
i. Always relax physically and mentally before
taking exercise.
j. Apparatus is not necessary to produce results.
However, dumbbells, wands or Indian clubs may be used, but they
should not be too heavy. One-pound dumbbells are sufficiently heavy
in most cases. The exercises described here are intended for muscular
control, flexibility, improvement of the circulation and increased
activity of the vital functions rather than for mere animal strength.
In
the following paragraphs we offer a selection of corrective movements,
graduated from the more simple to those requiring considerable agility
and effort.
In
practicing these exercises, it is best to alternate them, that is,
to select, say, six or seven movements, suited to individual conditions
with a view to secure all-around general development and special
practice for those parts and organs of the body that need extra
attention. The time at your disposal will also have to be considered.
Practice
these exercises daily for a week. For the following week select
six different exercises, then six more for the third week, and so
on, supplementing the list here given as may be required by your
particular needs. Then start over again in a similar manner.
This
is better than doing the same stunts every day. It promotes all-around
development of the body and keeps the interest from flagging.
Corrective Gymnastics
(1)
Raise the arms forward (at the same time beginning to inhale), upward
above the head, and backward as far as possible, bending back the
head and inhaling deeply. Now exhale slowly, at the same time lowering
arms and head and bending the body downward until the fingers touch
the toes. Keep the knees straight. Inhale again, raising arms upward
and backward as before. Repeat from six to ten times.
For
exercising the muscles between the ribs and the abdominal muscles
in the back:
(2)
Inhale slowly and deeply, with arms at side. Now exhale, and at
the same time bend to the left as far as possible, raising the right
arm straight above the head and keeping the left arm close to the
side of the body. Assume the original position with a quick movement,
at the same time inhaling. Exhale as before, bending to the right
and raising the left arm. Repeat a number of times.
For
making the chest flexible. Also excellent for the digestive organs:
(3)
Chest Stretcher: This exercise must be performed vigorously, the
movements following one another in rapid succession:
Stand
erect. Throw the arms backward so that the palms touch (striving
to bring them higher with each repetition), at the same time rising
on the toes and inhaling. Without pausing, throw the arms forward
and across the chest, the right arm uppermost, striking the back
with both hands on opposite sides, at the same time exhaling and
lowering the toes. Throw the arms back immediately, touching palms,
rising on toes and inhaling as before, then bring them forward and
across the chest again, left arm upper most. Repeat from ten to
twenty times.
An
excellent massage and vibratory movement for the lungs.
(4)
Exercises for filling out scrawny necks and hollow chests:
Stand
erect. Without raising or lowering the chin and without bending
the neck, push the head forward as far as possible, then relax.
Repeat a number of times. Push the head straight back in similar
manner, making an effort to push it farther back each time. Do not
bend the neck. Repeat.
Stand erect. Bend the head toward the right shoulder as far as possible,
then relax. Do not rotate the head. Repeat.
Bend the head to the left shoulder in a similar manner, then alternate
the two movements.
Stand
erect. Bend the head forward as far as possible, making an effort
to bring it down farther each time. Relax.
Bend the head backward as far as possible.
Bend
the head first forward, then backward. Repeat.
(5)
For exercising the muscles of the chest and the upper arm.
Stand
erect, elbows to sides, hands closed on chest, thumbs inward. Thrust
out the arms vigorously and quickly, first straight ahead, then
to the sides, then straight up, then straight downward, then backward.
Repeat each movement a number of times, then alternate them, each
time bringing arms back and hands to the original position quickly
and forcefully.
As
a variation, raise the elbows sideways to shoulder height with fists
on shoulders, then strike vigorously as before, opening the palms
and stretching the fingers with each thrust. Repeat from ten to
twenty times or until tired.
(6)
Stand erect, hands on hips. Keeping the legs straight, rotate the
trunk upon the hips, bending first forward, then to the right, then
backward, then to the left. Repeat a number of times, then rotate
in the opposite direction.
Especially
valuable to stir up a sluggish liver:
(7)
Lie flat on your back on a bed or, better still, a mat on the floor,
hands under head. Without bending knees, raise the right leg as
high as possible and lower it slowly. Repeat a number of times,
then raise the other leg, then alternate. As the abdomen becomes
stronger, raise both legs at once, keeping knees straight. It is
important that the legs be lowered slowly.
For
exercising the abdominal muscles and strengthening the pelvic organs.
This and the following exercise are especially valuable for remedying
female troubles:
(8)
Lie flat on back, arms folded on chest. Place the feet
under a chair or bed to keep them in position. Raise the body to
a sitting posture, keeping knees, back and neck straight. Lower
the body slowly to its original position. Repeat from five to ten
times, according to strength.
Supplementary Exercises
(9)
Stride-stand position (feet about one-half yard apart). Raise the
arms sideways until even with the shoulders, then, without bending
the back, rotate the trunk upon the hips, first to the right, then
to the left.
As
a variation of this exercise, rotate from the waist only, keeping
the hips motionless.
An
excellent massage for the internal organs:
(10)
See-saw motion:
Stride-stand
position, arms raised sideways. Bend to the right until the hand
touches the floor, left arm raised high. Resume original position.
Repeat several times, then bend to the left side, then alternate.
(11)
Chopping exercise:
Stride-stand
position. Clasp the hands above the left shoulder. Swing the arms
downward and between the legs, bending well forward. Return to position
and repeat a number of times, then repeat with hands on right shoulder,
then alternate.
(12)
Cradle rock:
Clasp
hands over head, elbows straight. Bend the trunk to the right and
left side alternately and without pausing a number of times.
(13)
Stand erect, feet together. Jump to the stride-stand position,
at the same time raising arms sideways to shoulders, jump back to
original position and lower arms. Repeat from ten to twenty times.
(14)
Lie flat on back, arms at side, legs straight. Raise both legs till
they are at right angles with body. From this position sway legs
to the right and left side alternately.
(15)
Lie flat on back, arms extended over head. Swing arms and legs upward
simultaneously, touching the toes with the hands in midair, balancing
the body on the hip bones and lower part of spine. Return to original
position and repeat.
This
is a difficult and strenuous exercise, and should not be attempted
at first:
(16)
Lie flat on stomach, hands under shoulders, palms down-ward, fingers
turned inward, about six inches apart. This will give free play
to the muscles of the chest. Raise the upper half of the body on
the hands and arms as high as possible, keeping the body straight.
Return to position and repeat until slightly fatigued.
(17)
Same position as before. Raise the entire body on hands and toes,
keeping arms and legs straight. Return to relaxed position and repeat
the exercise.
As
a variation, sway forward and backward while in the raised position.
(18)
Lie flat on stomach, arms extended in front. Fling the arms upward
and raise the upper part of the body as high as possible, keeping
the legs straight. Return to position and repeat, but avoid excessive
strain.
(19)
Same position as before, but hands on hips or clasped in back. Raise
upper part of body without assistance from hands or arms.
(20)
Rocking chair motion:
Sit
on a mat or bed, legs straight, arms at side. Recline so that the
upper part of the body almost touches the mat, at the same time
swinging the legs upward. Return to original position and repeat
without any pause between the movements, rocking back and forth
until slightly tired.
As
you get stronger, clasp the hands behind the head. As a variation,
rock with the knees bent, hands clasped below them.
Special Exercises for Reducing Flesh and
Strengthening the Abdominal Organs
(21)
Lie flat on stomach, heels and toes together, hands stretched
out in front. Fling head and arms upward, at the same time raising
the legs, knees straight. Avoid straining.
(22)
Same position, hands clasped on back, feet together. Roll from side
to side.
(23)
Lie flat on back, seize a bar (bed rail or rung of chair)
just behind the head. Keeping the feet close together, raise the
legs as high as possible, then swing them from side to side. As
a variation, swing legs in a circle without flexing the knees.
(24)
Same position. Raise and lower the legs up and down without
letting them touch the floor, keeping the knees straight.
(25)
Lie flat on the back, fold the hands loosely across the stomach.
Raise and lower the upper body without quite touching the floor.
(26)
Stand erect, heels together, arms raised above the head.
Bend forward and downward, endeavoring to place the palms of the
hands on the floor in front of the body without flexing the knees.
Return slowly to original position and repeat.
(27)
Stand erect, hands on hips. Keeping the body motionless from the
hips downward, sway the upper part of the body from side to side
and forward and backward, and in a circle to right and left.
(28)
Stand erect, raise the arms above the head. Rotate the
trunk upon the hips with extended arms, bending as far as possible
in each direction, but avoiding undue strain. These are strenuous
movements and should not be carried to excess or performed very
long at a time.
Physical Exercises for Invalids
Persons
who are very weak and unable to be on their feet for any length
of time need not, for this reason, forego the benefits to be derived
from systematic physical exercise.
A
low chair, with straight or very lightly curved back and no arms,
or a rocking chair of similar construction with a wedge placed under
the rockers in such a manner as to keep the chair steady at a suitable
angle, is well adapted to the practice of a number of corrective
movements, such as rotating of hips and waist, forward and sideward
bending of the trunk, the various arm and neck exercises, bending
and twisting of feet and toes, the internal massage (Exercise Number
12) and "Breathing Exercises to be Taken in Bed," in previous
Chapter.