YOUR WALK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 August 1940, Page 8

YOUR WALK

HOW TO IMPROVE IT. Get the habit of taking a daily walk. Pull in your middle section. Shoulders back. Step out briskly and firmly. Hum a little tune; and note the improvement after several weeks.

There is such distinction and dignity in a good carriage and correct posture. How many mature women walk well? The secret of walking gracefully and having good carriage lies in posture and balance.

If you have been neglectful—just allowed yourself to ‘’clump" along—make up your mind now, this minute, that you are going to improve. Push back the furniture, turn on the radio. Walk around and around the room, keeping time to the music. See! You are afraid to step out firmly. That middle-aged "waddle” comes from little, unbalanced steps. Shift your weight forward, pull in your middle section. Lift the bosom, by putting the shoulders back. Tuck in your buttocks. Now walk. One, two, three!

Now relax! Take a look in the mirror. See that old, slumped look. Just think, you have actually been walking that way. The Pack of Cards. You have heard of the old trick of tossing a pack of playing cards high in the air, then stooping to pick them up, every last one! This limbers your entire body. Your knees will creak, you will fall breathless in a chair, if you have been just sitting about or walking in a sloppy fashion. Get the habit of taking a daily walk. List the things you need and walk to the shops. Think of how you are balancing. Walk, don’t shuffle. Keep time to a little tune. Soon it will become natural to walk with rhythm! To improve your carriage takes a little effort and real determination, but you can do it! It will take years ofl your age, your clothes will look betj ter. you will feel better! . Get Out of the Slump. When you sag mentally you sag physically. Get out of the slump!

Think about how you are to improve. You can get rid of that dowager’s hump, that fatty accumulation at the back of the neck. Shoulders up, chin up. bosom high. These words must be in your consciousness every minute. One very clever, mature woman whom I know sits at her desk many hours of the day. She suddenly realised she was letting herself go. Her shoulders were down, head drooping. She hung a mirror over her desk. VZhen she seated herself she assumed correct posture. Every time she looked up she could see how she looked. She has improved wonderfully, even her mental attitude.

Think how you must look when stepping up on a bus. Practice stepping up. Right foot first, balance your weight, then the left foot. Always grasp the handle of the bus with the right hand. Don’t “back out” of a bus. Face the door, step out briskly with the right foot first. Improve your balance and your posture will improve almost immediately. Truly then it can be said: "She walks in beauty! ’