The character of a person's position in standing will determine the
character of the walk. If one has learned to stand in stable equilibrium
he will walk suggesting repose. If he stand in a discordant poise he
will walk in a discordant chaotic way and will be continuously fighting
to stand up.
When a person stands in an accordant poise the walk is a progression
forward and a levitation upward rhythmically and freely, the spiral
lines alternating with every step.
Every line of the body acts rhythmically. There is not only rhythmical
alternation of the lower limbs and of the movements of the weight from
foot to foot but all the lines of the body alternate rhythmically.
A good walk is the carrying out of a man's purpose. Accordingly there is
an attraction forward and upward at the summit of the chest.
There are some abnormal walks where men seem to be drawn by the head,
some walk as if drawn by the nose or chin, by the hips or by the knees
or even the feet. The gravitation of the body forward toward the
carrying out of one's purpose should be from the centre of gravitation
and should be upward.
"Onward and upward, true to the line." Man in his very walking seems to
be a progressive being. To climb a declivity, he seems to move forward
and upward. In a bad walk a man seems drawn downward.
The poise of the body in standing and walking is most affected by this
series of exercises. The co-ordination between the summit of the chest
and the feet in rhythmic alternation, the simultaneous activity of the
chest in all movements or exercises develop good positions in standing
and natural actions of the body in walking.
The extensions especially when in alternation bring the body also into
the normal spiral lines and tend also to extend the muscles especially
at the side so that the shoulder does not seem to be drawn down toward
the hip, but acts with the torso freely.
When exercises are practiced properly the whole bearing of the body will
begin to improve.