SPECIAL EXERCISES 85 



The Shoulders 



Exercise No. 8. This and the following two 

 exercises are to be used when the shoulders stoop 

 forward and when the shoulder blades are prom- 

 inent. The first two are excellent exercises for 

 the whole back as well as for the shoulders. 



Lie face downward upon the floor with the 

 arms stretched ahead of you, the hands being 

 separated about two feet. Slowly raise the 

 hands, head, and shoulders from the floor as high 

 as possible (the process taking about three sec- 

 onds); then return, absolutely relaxed, to the 

 first position. Continue until you begin to feel 

 tired. 



A child may tire, at first, after two or three 

 motions. 



Exercise No. 4- This is a "pretend" exercise. 

 Great good is gained by putting the mind upon 

 the work being done. In this case one set of 

 muscles acts against another set, to their mutual 

 benefit. "Pretend" that you are going to lift a 

 heavy weight up over your head. Put your feet 

 a foot or so apart to get a good brace; bend 

 down and grasp the imaginary weight, slowly, 

 using all your strength; lift it in a vertical line 

 until it is as high as you can reach, with your 

 arms stretched above you, your shoulders squared 

 and chest out. Then come down, absolutely 

 relaxed, and repeat until you begin to feel tired. 



