Saving Strength 13 21 



taken to keep the bead well up; it is even better if the head inclines slightly- 

 backward. After pushing for a moment relax the arms and let them fall. 

 Repeat the exercise two or three times. 



II. Stand erect, the weight of the body being entirely on the right leg. 

 Raise the left arm upward until it is close beside the ear; then, keeping 

 the fingers pointing toward the ceiling, stretch upward as far as is easily 

 possible. Hold this position of stretched muscles for a moment; then 

 slightly relax the arm; again energize and stretch; then let the arm relax 

 completely and drop by its own weight to the side. Without changing 

 the weight of the body from the right leg, raise the right arm and stretch 

 and relax as before. Repeat the entire exercise, standing with the weight 

 on the left leg. 



III. Stand well-poised over the balls of the feet. Lift the shoulders as 

 high as possible. With intense energy slowly crowd the shoulders back- 

 ward as far as possible and simultaneously bend somewhat forward from 

 the hips — the head moving backward in opposition to the direction of 

 the movement of the trunk. After holding this energized position for 

 about half a minute, relax the muscles and allow the body to come to a 

 buoyant, normal position. Repeat the exercise until a positive glow or 

 warmth is felt between the shoulders. 



IV. Sitting well back in the seat of the chair, shoulders resting against 

 the back of the chair, greatly energize the lower part of the spine, curving 

 it inward away from the chair back. The shoulders remain against the 

 chair. Hold this energized position a moment or so, then relax the spine, 

 being careful not to collapse at the waistline in front. Repeat the exercise 

 several times. 



V. Stand as shown in Fig. 8. Extend the arms well outward from the 

 shoulders, keeping the palms of the hands facing forward. Rise on the 

 balls of the feet; then simultaneously fill the lungs with fresh air and bring 

 the forearms inward until the fingers touch the chest. Retain the breath 

 a few seconds while the fingers lightly tap the entire surface of the chest. 

 Then relax, come down on the whole of the feet, and exhale the breath. 

 Again stretch, and repeat the exercise. Care should be taken to keep the 

 body from inclining even slightly backward, as to do so brings strain on 

 the lower back. In order to avoid such strain it is well to incline the body 

 somewhat forward from the hips — not from the waistline. While patting 

 the chest, the elbows should be raised very high so as to stretch all the side 

 muscles. In ordinary daily occupations those muscles are often contracted 

 for long periods. Such contraction interferes with digestion and circula- 

 tion; it also tends to misshape the figure. 



VI. This exercise is one especially beneficial in strengthening and freeing 

 all the waist muscles. It also stimulates the action of the liver and of the 

 stomach. 



