Value Of Feminine Poise

Southland Times, Issue 23378, 9 December 1937, Page 14

Value Of Feminine Poise

| <THE girl who can enter and leave i ■*" room gracefully, with poise in everj movement, always commands admiring attention. very woman envies the mannequir and the actress, who must have poist and good carriage, for no matter how beautiful they may be or how perfecl their figure they must achieve these qualities before they can be acclaimed as successful in their respective professions. There is no beauty in a sunken or a pigeon chest or round shoulders. The same applies to a bad fitting posture. Many girls sit with their legs twisted around the chair legs, or they tie their legs in a knot by twining them round each other. These incorrect postures not only look ugly, but thej have a bad effect on the general health. Under-developed muscles are lacking in strength, and they relax and tire very easily. If you are inclined to be roundshouldered, you may have noticed that when you assume the correct position you soon become tired; you then relax into the more comfortable, incorrect posture, and this causes the condition to become worse. Begin at once to assume the correct posture and guard against relaxing. This means perseverance and patience, but your efforts will be amply rewarded. first consideration in attaining a graceful carriage is the correct method of walking. The steps taken should not be too long, as this gives a mannish swagger, nor should they be too short, a r this results in a “mincing” step. Always remembei to keep the toe of the shoe pointing downwards. When the foot is lifted from the ground the distance from the ground to the toe should always be equal or less than the distance to the heel. Bend the knees as little as possible, and—most important—do not sway the hips. Do not turn the toes too far inwards, a in pigeon toes, nor too far outwards, as in flat feet. The weight of the body is on the foot which is on the ground, and in the correct position the toes will turn slightly outwards. Carry the feet forward as though you had a definite object in view. The best method of preventing or correcting incorrect posture is with exercise. This helps to strengthen the weak muscles. If you practise skipping or stationary running, taking particular care to place the weight on the ball of the

Hou) To Attain Grace

a foot, the ankle and foot muscles will

soon be strengthened. Foot specialists say that if more people did foot exercises there would not be nearly so many sufferers from flat feet If you wish to walk gracefully you must give the feet particular care. Do not wear shoes that are too small. It is far better to have a large foot than mincing step. If you are always glad to take your shoes off, so that your tired and aching feet may have a little rest, that should be a warning that your footwear is not '■orrect. Shoes should not be too narrow nor too pointed, as this will force the toes into a painful bunch. Excessive perspiration of the feet will make walking a hardship and cause corns and callouses to appear. A good remedy for this annoying and painful complaint is to bathe the feet every night in alternate hot and cold footbathe, then dry them thoroughly. Dust them thickly with a good talc powder night and morning, and do not wear the

same stockings on consecutive days; ' either wash them each night or use alternate pairs. { You will find that when standing it ‘ i far less tiring if the resting foot is p...ced in front instead of sideways. This J helps to keep the body properly bal- ’ anced, and the posture is more correct. I It is extremely bad to lean against any- , thing. From early childhood we should be taught the correct way to sit. The first 1 tiling to remember is that a chair is

something to sit on, not lounge in. xiie shoulder blades may touch the back of the chair and the whole of the weight should fall on the pelvis. The legs must on no account be twisted around each other, neither should the feet be placed back under the chair. Place them so that you can rise quickly and comfortably, with the minimum of movement necessary to restore the balan.e. Blankets. When washing coloured blankets, add vinegar to the rinsing water to preserve the colours. Shower Curtain. The shower curtain will need washing according to the directions given with i* It should not be left drawn to the side of the shower and damp. After each time it is used it should be drawn out along the rod to dry. This will help it to wear well and keep an attractive appearance.