Value Of Feminine Poise How To Attain Grace

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 28, 27 October 1937, Page 11

Value Of Feminine Poise How To Attain Grace

rpHE girl who can enter and leave a room gracefully, with poise in every movement, always commands admiring attention. Every woman envies the mannequin and the actrqss, who must have poise and good carriage, for no matter how beautiful they may he or how perfect their figure they must achieve these qualities before they can he acclaimed as successful in their respective professions. There is no heauty in a sunken or a pigeon chest or round shoulders. The same applies to a bad sitting posture. Many girls sit with their legs twisted around ' the chair legs, or they tie their legs in a knot by twining them round eaeh other. These incorrect postures not only look ugly, but they "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 roxnidshouldered, you may have noticed that when you assume the. correct position you soon become tired; you then relax into the more comfortable, incorrect postnrre, and this causes the conditkm 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 ainply rewarded. -.^.6 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, as -this results in a ""mincing'.' step. Always r'ememher 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 le$s than the distance to the heel. Bend the knees as little as possible, and — most important— do 'not sway the hips. Do npt turn the toes too far inwards, as in pigeon toes, nor too far outwards, as in fiat 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 ohject in view. The best method of preventing or correcting incorrect posture is with exercise. Tliis helps to strengfhen the weak muscles. If you practise skipping or stationary running, taking particular care to' place the weight on the ball of the

foot, the ankle and foot muscles will soon be strengthened. Foot specialists say that if more people did foot exercises there would not he nearly so many sufferers from fiat 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 a mincing step'. If you are always glad to take your shoes oflf, so that your tired and aching feet may have a little rest, that should be a warning that your footwear is not correct. Shoes should not be too narrow nor too pointed, as this will force the toes into a painful bunch. Excessive perspiration of th'e 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 foot-. bathe, 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 is far less tiring if the resting foot is placed in front instead of sideways. This helps to keep the body properly balanced, and the posture is more correct. It is extremely bad to lean against anytliing. From early childhood we should -Be taught tlie correct way to sit. The first thing to remember is -that a chair is something to sit ; on, not lounge in. Xne shoulder blades 'may touch the back of the chair and the' whole of- the weight should fall on the pelvjs. The legs must on no accbunt he twisted * around each other, neither should the feet be placed back under tlie chair. Place them so that you can rise quickly and comfortably, with the minimum of movement necessary to restore the' balance, 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 it. 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. Tliis will help it to wear well and keep an attractive appeararice.