PHYSICAL CULTURE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3044, 14 November 1908, Page 6

PHYSICAL CULTURE.

This column is conducted by Mr R. ©. Jarrett, Physical Culturist, late supervisor to the Wanganui Education Board, Principal of the Wanganui, Feilding, Palmerston North and Foxton Physical Culture Schools, who will be glad to hear from beginners in Physical Culture, and will reply to questions in the following Saturday's issue. Initials and adr dress only will be used when answering questions. Thus: W. McK., Carterton, or G.H., Featherston, as the case may be. Most students, especially beginners, have little difficulties which beset them, and it will be a pleasure to help these along. Upon receipt of a penny stamp, Mr Jarrett will post to any address his book on "Exercise for Health and Brain," which contains a useful chart and valuable information for young and old.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. L.G.M., Pahiatua. —Book posted to jjMjdress given. ,

"As intimafcea ?\ ta , rf , ay ' u my column for to-day Is to physical culture for ladies.

SOME ADVICE FOR LADIES.

Physical culture ib really more necessary for woman than for man. Manvwill probably, upon reading this assertion, exclaim "Nonsense! or "Ridiculous!" Yet i< ih not so absurd as it may seem. Let us take both boys and girls at a Seat %Wch they Wave scnooi, < fourteen to sixteen years of fige. Many of befch sexes enter into office tVOfk mid other indoor Occupations. So far both are on art equal footing, but at this stage the roadft divide. The majotity of JyoWths follow some form of recfe&tion, such as football, hockfey, ticket, tennis, cycling, swimming, shooting, and many other games. Girls, as a rule, hasten home to assist with housework and other domestic duties.

Probably- the only recreation or exercise girls obtain is in walking home or at a social evening, or choir practice, or meetings of a similar nature. True, some take part in semi-athletic games, such as tennis or hockey; but we must acknowledge that these are the exception rather than the rule. Allowing, fcr the sake of comparison, that our population is equal as regards the numbers of both sexes, lam convinced that the boys who take up sport or pastimes of one kind or another outnumber the girls by at least five to one. Even at this, it is now generally admitted that it is necessary for many of the sterner sex to indulge in systematic exercise. This brings me back to my earlier statement that physical culture is even more necessary for women than for men. During school days, most girls, before and after school hours, and during play time, indulge in the usual school games, such as rounders, hopscotch, skipping, and sundry other games which tend to exercise and develop the muscles and organs, promote the circulation and re-oxygenation of the blood.

It is an accepted fact that in plant life a flower has to be continuously cultivated until it reaches maturity to be classed as a perfect specimen. Does not common sense teach us that the human body must be given the t

same opportunity which we give our flowers? The constriction of the °waist by means of the corset is an abomination—it not only destroys the natural beauty of the figure and distorts it into a wasp-like monstrosity; ' but it also crowds and displaces the digestive and other organs confined within this and adjacent parts of the body, impeding the proper working of their functions and playing havoc with the health generally. It need scarcely be said that the abandonment of the corset is of vital importance to one who desires health and shapeliness. The corset is a deadly foe to health and real beauty. Systematic physical culture, consisting of proper exercises, are essential. It specially benefits the back and abdomen, which are weakened by the wearing of a tight-fitting corset. That the back can be properly strengthened has been proved in thousands of cases, many instances haying come under my own personal notice." In this, happily, it is never too late to mend. A moderate

amount of exercise directed upon this region day by day will bring about results that one would scarcely credit. How much better it would be if the corset were never worn. And if systemat'c exercises were kept up from the time of leaving school, more especially for those who are forced by circumstances to lead a re-

tired and sedate lite and who never

get the opportunity of taking part in outdoor games or whose physical ptrength will not allow them to do so. To these light systematic exercises comes as a boon. Carefully arranged graduated breathing exercises make life worth living. I want women to realise that they can become healthy, and with health comes beauty; but neither can be obtained by the aid of the corset. Physicians of tlje present day repeatedly order breathing exercises. I have taught many ladies suitable exercises, by their doctor's advice, in place of having drugs prescribed for them. One should never reach this stage. But, with many, it seems easier to resort to pills, powders and provide temporary relief by clearing pick-me-ups than to exercise. These the clogged up organs, in much the same manner as a waterway which has been nearly dried up, and stagnant, will be partly flushed out by the first heavy rain; but, if followed by another dry spell, becomes again sluggish and clogged by deposits. To keep a waterway clear and free of impurities, it must be flushed

out regularly, cr have a continuous flow. This applies equally to the human body and organs. According to an eminent physician, "our lungs, as well as our bodies, need baths." Mrs Langtry, admittedly one of Britain's most beautiful women, says that one secret of beauty is the daily bath. Her programme for'the acquisition of beauty is comprised of work, sunshine, exercise, soap and water. Winter and summer alike, Mrs Langtry says she does physical exercises, and the first thing in the morning has a cold bath. "We cannot keep our skinsj too clear, and nothing invented can take the plice

of soap and water. My night scrub consists of a hot bath—a real hot scrub."

If these sentiments were impressed upon our girls when at school, and followed when taking up the more serious part of life, there would be bat little fear of degeneration. To sum up, I would say, with Dr Charcot, that four great physicians are, air, water, exercise, and diet; and, with Benjamin Franklin, "If you will not hear nature, she will surely rap your knuckles." In next Saturday's issue I purpose arranging some useful illustrated exercises for ladies.