MANLY EXERCISES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2307, 29 May 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

MANLY EXERCISES.

Those exercises of the body and limbs which we call gymnastic:-—a-term derived from the Greek word ' gumnos,' signifying naked, as in ancient Greece those who practised them in the. public arena were nearly in it state of nudity—tend greatly to invigorate and develop the powers of youth, Under this title we shall endeavor, from time to time,. to supply such information as will enable each reader to become thoroughly acquainted with the art of accomplishing feats of suenglh and endurance with the least amount of personal fatigue. ■ Exhaustion should always be avoided, acd the kind, degree, and duration of the exercise sliould.be so modified that the desired results of increased muscular strength may be gradually attained. It should not be forgotten, however, that the, point at which these results are attainable are not the same in any two individuals, and can onlv >m discovered by experience and careful observation. To be able to walk with ease, firmness, and grace is a necessary preliminary to all other exercises, The body should be erect, but not stiff, and tho head held up in such a direction that the eyes look directly forward. In setting clown the feet let the outer edge of the heel first touch the around, and the sole of the foot bear' and project tho weight, of the body. The length of step must of course be determined by tlni length of limb, for efforts at taking long steps out of proportion to the power of motion, are ulwayß ungraceful. Reckoning from heel to heel, the length.of a military step at drill march, is thirty inches, which is rather more than the ordinary stena in walking. The motion of the arms to and fro, in harmony with the movements of the legK, greatly helps the locomotion, and is advantageous in exercising the muscles of the chest. These movements, however, should be on a moderate scale, the hands not swinging through a greater space than eight or nine inches before and behind. In the walks of the first two or three days, young pedestrians should not set thomselves to accomplish any certain number of miles, but only walk as far as their strength will agreeably carry them. They will thus gradually acquire power, and become good walkers, enjoying the country as they go along, and leaving off with an increased love of nature, and a disposition to lave such another excursion at the first opportunity. We subjoin a few gymnastic feats of a simple kind to commence with, merely observing that groat care should be taken not to try to accomplish more than the strength will permit, The Jtivelin, —This is an excellent gymnastic recreation. You must have a pole shod at one end with iron. It should be grasped with the whole hand the butt cowing between the first finger and thumb. The aim must he taken deliberately, and the javelin properly poised before it. is cast. The arm in doing so to be thrown a3 far back as possible, to deliver tho javelin with greater force.

The long chalk,—Mark a line upon the ground, to which' the toes of both feet must be placed, neither of which must move beyond it. Either hand is then thrown forward on the floor, as far, and no farther, as will enable you with a spring to regain your former upright position, not scraping the floor with the hand, nor disturbing the position of the feet. After you have ascertained by practice tin-distance you can fall and regain your original position, take a piece of chalk and make a mark as far in front of you as you can with your disongaged band, without altering the position of the feet; or using both hands in rising. . The Hand Spring.-This featis performed by throwing yourself forward' agajnst a wall, resting upon .the palm of the hand with the fingers' upward, the, feet being placed at a' : distance from the wall, which will enable you to recover an upright position; for according to the distance you stand from the wall, the more or less difficult will the feat be found. This feat should be well practiced before commencing

Spring from the thumb.—Which is performed by resting the btfdy npon

the thumb, the inside of which is placed against the edge of a table, taking care that it rests against something, or else yoti may get a fall by driving the table before yon, By continual practice you may extend the distance you stand froir the table, The stooping reach.—By practising this feat considerable agility may be acquired. A line should he drawn upon the floor, against which the oilier side of the right foot must be placed, and the heul of the left foot placed at a short, distance behind the right foot,' touching the line, lhe right hand must be passed under the knee of the right leg, and with a piece ot chalk •mark a line as far in advance of the other line as you can, and then immediately recover your position without moving'; your feet or touching the ground with your hands. The knee and ;body may project over the line chalked, hut the feet must be kept in their original position. In this feat there is ho spring to assist you in rising, as the chalk is held between the forefinger and thumb. The Triumph.-So called from the difficulty of accomplishing thia feat without a great deal of practice. The palms of the hands must lie placed together behind you, with the thumbs nearest the back, and the fingers down wards; and then keeping the palms as much as possible together, turn the hands, keeping the tops of the fingers close to the back until they are placed between the shoulders, with the thumbs outward, the tops of the ringers towards the head, and the palms touching one another.

The feat with the lingers is done by placing your arms horizontally close to and across the chest; the forefingers of each hand pressing one against, the other. When in this position, another person may endeavor to separate them, which he will fail to do if they are held properly, as he must use only regular force, and not jerk them suddenly.

The feat with the poker.--A common (ire poker must be held between the fingers and thumb, which by tire, motion of the fingers and thumb you must endeavour to work upwards, the pokei remaining perpendicular the whole time, This is a much more difficult feat than it would appear at first, as it requires not consider able strength of finger, but also knack which .cannot be acquired without practice; and when first attempted, will be found very difficult. Two to one,—Take a skipping rope, and use it in the common way at first, until you are able to increase the' velocity, when, with a spring higher than ordinary, you may pass the rope twice under y»u before touching the ground, By practice this feat may be done three times instead of twice. Kneeling down is an exercise of some difficulty, and is done by placing the toes against a line chalked on the floor, and kneeling down and springing up again, without making use of the hands, or moving the toes from the chalk line.

To remove a chair from under you without falling. -The body is placed upon three chairs, the centre one of which should he lighter than the others, the head resting upon one and the heels upon the othei, 'l'he body must be stiffened, and the chest thrown up, keeping the shoulders down. You then disengage the middle chair, and move if over your body until you deposition the opposite side. This is one of the feats which at first iR ftmiid very difficult, but which by practice may be overcome, provided tbe chair you have to lift is not too heavy for your strength. Breast to mouth:—The distance from the outside of the elbow to the tip of the second finger is measured on a cane or stick, You must then grasp tbe stick with the right hand, the middle finger being placed over the mark. The stick must be held horizontally hetore you, with the elbow close to tbe side, and yon must then endeavour to raise the left end of the stick to your mouth without changing your position or moving your head.