MORE USEFUL EXERCISES.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1931, Page 13

MORE USEFUL EXERCISES.

THE ABDOMINAL MUSCLES.

(By

C.A.)

Do these exercises before taking your ■bath. Wear loose garments, far it is a great advantage to air the body while exercising. Lie fiat on your back on a rug on the floor, with a small cushion under your neck. Bend both knees, keeping the soles of the feet on the floor-and about ■l2 inches a.part-. Place both hands flat on the floor-. Raise the hips about five or six inches, so that the weight of the 'body rests on the head, shoulders and feet. Vigorously swing the body from side to side, keeping the shoulders flat on the floor so as to throw each hip upwards alternately. Repeat six times each side. Lower the hips to the floor, and rest three seconds. The whole exercise takes about two minutes to complete. The same position with rotary movement may then be practised. Breathe evenly throughout the exercise, ‘being careful not to hold the breath, i Lie flat on your back, feet together, hands clasped behind your head. Draw in the abdomen, contract the muscles of the legs and back, and lift the hips two .or three inches off the floor, turning the feet upwards and imyards, and at the same time stretching the arms •well behind the head. Inhale as the body is lifted; exhale as it sinks to the floor. Repeat this exercise six times.