EARLY MORNING EXERCISES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22630, 23 July 1935, Page 15

EARLY MORNING EXERCISES

A LETTER FROM SYDNEY Dear " Phillida,”—To-daj’, the early morning exercise is as established a fact as the morning newspaper. All the world over between the hours of 7 and 9 smart women are touching their toes and deep breathing. These exercises are no longer the routine daily dozen which used to be practised with such military precision, and which would, as likely as not, develop muscles as big ns billiard balls — they are rhythmical and original. They break down fat and they are pleasant to do. Last week I promised to give you an exercise list, and here it is. In the sketch are five exercises for general slimming and physical fitness Four of them are floor exercises and the fifth a simple standing exercise which will limber every muscle in your body. When beginning to exercise be careful not to overdo it. Five minutes will be sufficient for the first day and 10 the

second, but by the end of a month you should be doing 20 minutes to half an hour per day—broken, if you prefer it, into two periods at night and morning. There is. however, one important thing to remember about night exercises. They should never stimulate or overtire the body, but help to relax it. Tluy should be "extremely rhythmical and smooth. The exercises shown in my chart are suitable for morning only, as they are pleasantly strenuous. In the top lefthand corner is an excellent exercise for strengthening and flattening the stomach muscles. Lie flat on the floor with anna outstretched and the palms of the hands down. Swing the left leg up across the body until your toes touch your finger tips. Return to original position and repent on the other side. Next comes a rolling exercise for general reducing. Lie on the floor face downwards. With your head up stretch your arms back and clasp your ankles, keeping chest and knees still on the floor. Then throw back the bead, tighten the arms a«d lift the knees. In this position roll backwards and forwards several

times. Rest.in first position and repeat. The third exercise is the standing one, and is guaranteed to reduce the waistline and uplift the bust. First of all stand erect with arms stretched high above your head and shoulders back. Stretch up as far as possible, straining every muscle. Relax and place feet apart, still keeping arms in the same position. Now rotate from the waist in a wide circle, first of all from left to right and then in the opposite direction from right to left. . Next comes another floor exercise. This time for reducing and finning the buttocks and hips. Lie flat on the floor face down.wards with your elbows tucked into your side and palms on the floor. Kick left leg up ns high as possible at the same time raising the head. Repeat 10 times and then with the other leg. The last exercise is a difficult one and requires very strong stomach muscles. li you can achieve this exercise you need no longer fear a protruding diaphragm or “tummy'’—it will keep you firm and supple. Lie flat on your back on the floor with arms stretched out behind your head. Gradually raise yourself up, still keeping

your arms straight above the head and bend over to touch the toes. Lower yourself slowly and repeat. This exercise is easier if the feet are placed under a chaii and held firm. Persevere with this, as the results are well worth the muscle aches yon will experience at first. Perhaps the most important factor in the exercise regime is the breathing. Be' sure to do your exercises in fresh air as near to an open window as possible. .Before beginning your regular exercises do a few deep breathing ones. Stand erect and fling your arms wide apart, opening the lungs as far as possible. Lower the arms and repeat. Here is another excellent breathing exercise which is slimming as well. Stand erect with shoulders back and the palms'of the hands flat on the ribs as far to the sides as, possible. Breathe in deeply and then gradually expel the air, bending the trunk and pressing the hands down the sides, over the hips, and down the backs of the legs to touch the floor. Now, when the lungs are quite empty, draw the breath in again, raising the, trunk and pressing the hands up the front of the legs and body and so

to the original position. For a friction this exercise may be repeated with bauds cupped slightly and slapping instead of pressing the body. As I have said before, if you want to look chic in your clothes the most important thing is posture. Stand and walk correctly and you will carry your clothes well, but, however, svelt your figure, n vour position is wrong the smartest garments will be spoiled. No matter how assiduously you practice these exercises if you are not careful to stand correctly they will do you no good. So to your morning list add a special “ posture exercise, and all will be well—that is, provided you do not just do the exercise and forget it. It is necessary, at first, to be conscious of its effect all day until the correct position becomes natural to you. A good posture exercise is to stand erect fiat against a wall with hands to your sides. Strain backwards against the wall trying to touch it all the way down. JNaturaily von will assume the correct position chest up and out. stomach up and in, and buttocks down and under. When you are tired of this exercise here is another one to try. Stand sideways-on in front of a mirror. With one hand on your stomach and the other on your back, stand m the incorrect position (that is, with stomacn muscles relaxed and buttocks up and out), then with your hands press yourself into an exaggeration of the correct position. Pull up your “tummy” and tuch m your seat. Repeat this as often as you like—it slims the waistline as well as making you stand well.

If you follow these instructions your figure in a month or two should be well-nigh perfect. Dressing will be a pleasure to you, your new spring wardrobe will be f e S 7 easy to choose jZ_)(Xh K. and you will be proud of your looks.