When over eighty years of age, the poet Bryant said that he had added
more than ten years to his life by taking a simple exercise while
dressing in the morning. Those who knew Bryant and the facts of his life
never doubted the truth of this statement.
I have made inquiries lately among men who are eighty years of age, as
to their method of waking up. Almost without exception, I find that they
have been in the habit of taking simple exercise upon rising and also
before retiring.
While studying voice in Paris, over thirty years ago, my teacher was so
busy that he had to take me before breakfast at an hour which, to a
Parisian, was a very early one.
"Vocal exercises may be more difficult at this time," he said, "but it
is the best time. If we can start the day with the right exercise of the
voice, the use of it all through the day will be additional right
practice."
Later, when I studied with the elder Lamperti in Italy, I requested and
secured an early hour in the morning for my lessons.
In teaching I have always urged students to take their exercises the
first thing in the morning. Those who have taken my advice have later
been grateful for the suggestion.
If my own morning exercises are neglected, I feel as if I had missed a
meal or had lost much sleep. I was never what is called physically
strong; in fact, physicians have continually prophesied my downfall, yet
all my life I have performed about three men's work, and by the use of a
few exercises have probably doubled the length of my life.
The subject of human development has always been of great interest to
me. I have tried to investigate the various systems of gymnastics in all
countries; and, teaching, as I have, about ten thousand the use of the
voice and body in expression, I have studied training from a different
point of view from that of most men.
I have discovered that the voice cannot be adequately trained without
also improving the body; that the improvement of the voice can be doubly
accelerated if the body is considered a factor.
I have also found, what is more important, that true exercises are all
mental and emotional and not physical, and that both body and voice can
never be truly improved except by right thinking and feeling.
I, therefore, long ago came to certain conclusions which are not in
accordance with common views. My convictions, however, have been the
result, not only of experience, but of wide study and investigation.
This book embodies a few points about health; without going deeply into
the principles involved, a short programme is given, the practice of
which has already accomplished marvelous results. The book embodies my
own experiences, and obeys the scientific principles involved in
training.
It is meant to be a guide for home study and practice. The principles
are applicable to everyone. It requires at first, patience,
perseverance, and resolution at that moment in the day when we are most
liable to be indifferent and negative, if not irresolute and
discouraged. Whoever resolutely undertakes to obey the suggestions will
never regret doing so. In fact, it is not too much to claim that he will
not only lengthen his life but double its satisfactions.
Every reader of the book is requested to become a member of the Morning
League, and whosoever does so and makes a report or writes to me fully
about special weaknesses, habits, "besetting sins," or conditions will
receive a letter of suggestions.
This book and its companion, "The Smile," are published as a part of the
great work undertaken by the friends of the School of Expression; the
net receipts from the sale will go to the Endowment Fund of the
institution.