Nature Cure eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 370 pages of information about Nature Cure.

Nature Cure eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 370 pages of information about Nature Cure.
that is the only way to relieve and overcome this condition.  Stop when you begin to feel tired.  Never overdo; you should feel refreshed and relaxed after exercising, not tired and shaky.  Do not take vigorous exercise of any kind within an hour and a half after eating, nor immediately before meals.  It is a good plan to rest and relax thoroughly for about fifteen minutes before sitting down to the table.  Whenever practicable, exercise out of doors.  If indoors, perform the movements near an open window or where there is a current of fresh air.  Exercise undressed, if possible, or in a regular gymnasium suit that gives free play to all the muscles.  If dressed, loosen all tight clothing.~ Ladies should wear their garments suspended from the shoulders by means of shoulder braces, or so-called reform waists, the skirts being fastened to these.  Always relax physically and mentally before taking exercise.  Apparatus is not necessary to produce results.  However, dumbbells, wands or Indian clubs may be used, but they should not be too heavy.  One-pound dumbbells are sufficiently heavy in most cases.  The exercises described here are intended for muscular control, flexibility, improvement of the circulation and increased activity of the vital functions rather than for mere animal strength.

In the following paragraphs we offer a selection of corrective movements, graduated from the more simple to those requiring considerable agility and effort.

In practicing these exercises, it is best to alternate them, that is, to select, say, six or seven movements, suited to individual conditions with a view to secure all-around general development and special practice for those parts and organs of the body that need extra attention.  The time at your disposal will also have to be considered.

Practice these exercises daily for a week.  For the following week select six different exercises, then six more for the third week, and so on, supplementing the list here given as may be required by your particular needs.  Then start over again in a similar manner.

This is better than doing the same stunts every day.  It promotes all-around development of the body and keeps the interest from flagging.

Corrective Gymnastics

(1) Raise the arms forward (at the same time beginning to inhale), upward above the head, and backward as far as possible, bending back the head and inhaling deeply.  Now exhale slowly, at the same time lowering arms and head and bending the body downward until the fingers touch the toes.  Keep the knees straight.  Inhale again, raising arms upward and backward as before.  Repeat from six to ten times.

For exercising the muscles between the ribs and the abdominal muscles in the back: 

(2) Inhale slowly and deeply, with arms at side.  Now exhale, and at the same time bend to the left as far as possible, raising the right arm straight above the head and keeping the left arm close to the side of the body.  Assume the original position with a quick movement, at the same time inhaling.  Exhale as before, bending to the right and raising the left arm.  Repeat a number of times.

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Nature Cure from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.