MORE HOME EXERCISES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 11 September 1937, Page 13

MORE HOME EXERCISES

I’OISE BALANCE This is a very good test of your powers of balance. Place hands on hips and stand erect with feet together —toes and heels touching. Then slowly raise the right leg backward and

lean forward until you are balancing on one foot with the whole body parallel to the floor. Hold the position for a few seconds—if you canthen return to the starting position and try with the other leg. Most people can balance better on one leg than the other. Notice how straight the body is, with leg in a line behind and toes pointed away, back straight, and head also in line with (he body. You will find it easier to get this position if you raise the leg as far backward as you can before you start to lean forward. The leg you are standing on may be bent, but if you are supple in the leg you can keep it straight. It gives a better-looking position, but only one person in a hundred can hold the balance like this! See if you’re one of them!

GROUCH WALKING This is a strong exoicisc for the legs. Bend the knees fully until you arc sitting on your heels. Then walk forward, still in this position, keeping a straight back. The easiest way is to swing the leg out sideways. Don’t! Try to lift up a little on one leg and swing the other straight forward al the same time. Another useful exercise lor Hie legs is the "crow hop.” From the same kncc-bcnt position, suddenly .stretch the legs and spring up high into the air landing again a few inches forwaid. The object in this exercise is to get as high, not as far forward as possible. Both exercises are very good for developing all flic leg muscles. But they arc also very tiring, so don t repeat them too often at a lime.