CULT OF BEAUTY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 261, 4 November 1933, Page 3 (Supplement)

CULT OF BEAUTY.

HOW TO REMAIN SLIM. A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. (By A BEAUTY SPECIALIST.) No vague preaching about vigour, circulation, pep, ever had the effect on me that those bulges and bunches had that suddenly revealed themselves in my mirror one day. What, I was getting a tummy? I was spreading below the belt! Well, I would soon find out whether there was anything in gymnastics and exercise. And so—this is a personal experience—l began going to gymnasiums.

Finally I evolved a series of exercises for my figure. A tummy, wide hips, make any woman look old, and that solidifying of the body below the belt that goes on insidiously till the slenderness which remains about your shoulders and bust look skinny, and out of proportion. Here are a few exercises which may help any woman who would like to wriggle 'back into slenderness: — 1. Lie flat on your back on the floor, feet together, arms stretched out at shoulder level, so that your outline is that of a cross. Raise your right leg, swing it over your left leg, up towards your left hand, till you put your right foot in your left hand. Swing the leg back to its position beside the other. Repeat ten times, then reverse, swing the left leg over the right, till you can grasp the left foot in your right hand, and repeat ten times. As-the weeks go by, you should be able to do this exercise more and more easily, and by that time some of the cushions of fat will be off your tummy.

2. Lie on your right side on the floor, your right arm under your right ear and stretched up beyond your head— your left hand planted, palm down, in front of waist to prevent your body from rolling over. You are going to do this exercise fast and vigorously. You start with your legs together on a straight line with your body. Now separate them, swing the right leg back, the left leg forward, feet stretched, and toes pointed to lengthen the straight line of each leg. Force the right leg back as far as it will go. Push the left forward till your toes are on a line with your eyes. Then reverse —left leg back, right leg forward —repeat, swinging the legs past each other like the blades of lively shears. During this exercise your body is resting on your right hip, right side, your right ear pressing on your right arm. Swing your legs quickly, decidedly, to the rhythm of a foxtrot. Have your gramophone beside you. To Remove Fat. You will break your humps of fat there on your hips, where the skin grows red. After 50 counts, roll over on your left side and repeat the 50 counts. Better do this exercise on a blanket or thick rug. 3. Sit on floor with trunk and head tilled back, your hands planted, palms down, on the floor about 12in behind you for support, yours knees drawn up slightly in a relaxed position, feet together. Your weight is on your hands and buttocks. Sway your body slightly back again—forward—back. Feel the rubbing as you shift the pressure on your weight? That rub will break down the bulge of fat that spoils the lines of your gown. Repeat 50 times. Keep your arms straight, hands and feet still.

4. Now practice a circular movement, shifting your weight forward to the right side, back toward.? the end of your spine over to the left —round and round —then in the opposite direction. Feel the deep circular rubbing where your figure needs hardening down? Do that for a full minute, rhythmically and slowly enough to describe the circle with the full pressure of your weight at every point.

• 5. Lie flat on your back on the floor — arms stretched but at shoulder level in the fashior of a cross, feet together. Raise your lege together. Keep your knees straight while you describe, a great circle in the air with your feet— swing the legs towards the right, and

upwards. At the high point of your circle, the legs are straight at right angles to your body. Then continue the circles to the left and down. Do this deliberately and slowly. That slow, controlled movement is great for soft back and hip mus'eles. Keep your feet off the ground, swinging your legs hi great circles —round and round, always with straight knees, for a full minute.