back right, but with arm extension forward and upward, then same oblique-back left. Bells with one lobe resting on chest, the other extended forward. Exercise. EXPLANATION.-Carry right bell via front down to side, four counts, then do same with left, same alternating, then both same. Follow this order with bells to horizontal EXPLANATION.-Hold position two counts, charge to oblique-front right, right knee flexed, left knee firm, trunk well forward, bells vertical and resting on back of neck, eyes looking downward. (Illus. XIV.) Do same reversely, then follow same order oblique-back right with bells on right shoulder, head turned toward oblique-front left. Do same reversely. Illus. XIV. Fourth Order Striking Bells 1. Stand in parade rest position eight counts. 2. Assume fundamental position, and salute with right bell. This is done in four counts, and by carrying right bell to left shoulder, palm of hand facing outward, then sweep arm outward and downward to side. Then hold fundamental position, another four counts. 3. Forearm exercise, with alternating stroke on alternating bell lobes. EXPLANATION.-With elbows close to intercostal muscles and forearms extended forward, right palm downward and left upward, strike inner lobes of bells, one count, then reverse hand position, striking the other lobes, alternate thus through six counts; use remaining two counts for assuming next position. 4. Striking bells over and under, sixteen counts. EXPLANATION.-Carry left bell to hori zontal front, bell vertical; at same time place right bell above and near right shoulder, lower lobe almost touching shoulder. On first count sweep right bell upward, forward, and downward striking upper lobe of left bell. (Illus. XV.) As soon as the left bell is struck, sweep left arm downward and backward and then upward, and on second count near top of left shoulder, right bell taking the horizontal front position. Alternate the sweep of arms and striking of bells thus through eight counts. Then reverse the order by alternating sweep of arms backward and downward and front, and striking the lower lobe of bell underneath. Repeat through eight counts. Illus. XV. 5. Striking bells over and under, eight counts. Same as preceding, except right bell is struck over once, then left over once, then right under once, then left under once. Arms down. 6. Striking bells with toe-touch, eight counts. EXPLANATION.-On first count sweep bells outward, then high overhead striking inner lobes of bells together, and at same time extending right foot two or three inches toward oblique-front right, toe only touching floor; on second count return to position. Repeat through four counts, then do same with left toe-touch, but on fourth count assuming position for next exercise. 7. Repeat Exercise 5. Arms down. 8. Repeat Exercise 6 with toe-touch oblique-back, right and left. 9. Repeat Exercise 5. 10. Striking bells front and back of thighs, eight counts. EXPLANATION.-On first count carry bells downward and at arms' length front, striking inner lobes together; on second count strike bells together back of thighs, palms down. Repeat through seven counts. 11. Repeat Exercise 5. 12. Striking bells overhead and back of thighs, eight counts. EXPLANATION. This exercise is same as Exercise 10, except that bells are struck overhead instead of front of thighs. 13. Repeat Exercise 5. 14. Striking bells with lateral lunge, eight counts. EXPLANATION.-On first count lunge to right, extending right bell horizontally at arm's length in same direction, at same time striking it on side of upper lobe with left bell, thumb-lobe of left bell downward; on second count swing line of gravity into left limb, bending left knee, straightening right one, and sweeping left arm strongly backward, then upward and forward, striking right bell, which should be kept stationary through the exercise. Recover position on eighth count. 15. Repeat Exercise 5. 16. Repeat Exercise 14 reversely. 17. Repeat Exercise 5. 18. Striking bells with right and left pivot. EXPLANATION.-On first count pivot to right; on second count sweep bells upward from side, striking inner lobes together overhead; on third count strike bells together at arms' length downward in front of thighs, palms facing front. Repeat through seven counts, then pivot to left, repeating exercise on left side. 19. Repeat Exercise 5. 20. Striking bells with knee support, sixteen counts. EXPLANATION.-On first count place right foot once its length forward with lower lobe of left bell resting on right knee, which should be slightly bent; on second count sweep right arm over shoulder as in Exercise 4, striking upper lobe of left bell. Repeat through seven counts, recover position, and do same reversely. 21. Repeat Exercise 5. 22. Repeat Exercise 3. 23. Repeat Exercise 5. 24. Repeat Exercise 4. 25. Parade rest position. ESTHETICAL GYMNASTICS "Grace is to the body what good sense is to the mind."-ROCHEFOUCAULD. Esthetical gymnastics contribute both to health and grace. While largely instrumental in promoting the former, they are especially valuable in rendering the muscles pliable and in giving proper direction and control to the nerve force, thus fitting the whole physique to become a suitable agent of expression. Grace is the result of equilibrium, and equilibrium results from perfect balance or poise, therefore it follows that any one not physically deformed may be able to secure this muscular control, and that no one need sit, stand, or move in an awkward way. Grace is charm of manner, is above personal adornment, and may be considered a desirable inheritance. It is one of Nature's best gifts to the human race. It must not, however, be confounded with affectation; the two are antipodal. A few persons retain this gift of grace from childhood, but the vast majority lose it through the artificialities and incumbrances of environment. That pliancy may be secured it is first necessary to rid the body of undue rigidity; hence certain relaxing exercises are necessary. In these, as well as in the energizing exercises, the socalled Delsarte exercises are largely utilized, as it is believed there are none more valuable for attaining the end sought. NOTE.-Exercises upon the same plan were introduced a century ago by Engel, a German writer, but Madame Geraldy, the daughter of Delsarte, when in America in 1892, declared that these exercises were not a part of her father's philosophy, nor did he make any use of them in his course of instruction. It would seem, however, that credit is due to Mr. Steele Mackaye for the fundamentals at least of this class of exercises, as he certainly was the first to utilize them in this country. Relaxing Exercises * For Fingers 1. Elbows near intercostal muscles, hands near waist, left hand lying relaxed upon tips of fingers of right, thumb of right in palm of left; in this position continue to shake left fingers with right hand a number of times, then shake right fingers in same manner. 2. Same as preceding, except palm of relaxed hand is turned inward toward chest. 3. Palm of left hand turned toward earth and resting upon tips of right finger, thumb of right on back of left. Shake as above indicated. *By relaxing is meant the removal of nerve force or tension from certain sets of muscles. |