PHYSICAL CULTURE FOR WOMEN.
I am exceedingly anxious to remove the impression, which has, I fear,
gained ground, that my system is not a thing for women. Now-a-days,
when women have practically freed themselves from the antiquated
ideas of a generation or so ago, there ought to be small difficulty
in convincing them that to make the best of themselves, in a physical
sense, is just as imperative a duty for them as for their brothers.
Women go in for all sorts of sports and pastimes to-day; they bicycle,
row, play tennis and hockey, and not infrequently display no small
degree of excellence in sports which have hitherto been regarded as
“for men only.” This is a hopeful sign, but I am not at all sure that
in many cases it is not more provocative of harm than good. Women
are possessed of a great amount of nervous energy, and, unless their
bodies and organs are gradually and systematically trained to bear
exertion and fatigue, they are likely to attempt performances which
are quite beyond their physical power, although, buoyed up as they are
by a fund of nervous energy and mental exhilaration, they may observe
no ill-effects at the time. This is one reason why it is so advisable
for women to commence by working upon my system, which is so mild and
gradual that they can pursue it without any risks, and, while daily
growing stronger and healthier, be scarcely conscious that they are
making any effort whatever.
I am quite aware that there is a very wide-spread notion that
exercise tends to coarsen and render a woman unbeautiful, but that is
absolutely false. Were there any truth in it I should indeed despair
of converting my fair readers to my way of thinking, for truly it is
woman’s mission to look beautiful. But the idea is absurd; Nature,
which intended woman to look lovely, also intended her to be healthy;
indeed, the two are practically synonymous. Of course, improper,
violent and one-sided exercise will naturally result in making a
woman clumsy, heavy, and ungraceful, but proper exercise, having for
its object symmetrical and perfect development, will have an exactly
contrary effect. Curiously enough, the visible effect of proper
exercise upon a woman’s muscles is not precisely the same as upon those
of a man. Regular and gradually progressive exercise will not make a
woman’s muscles prominent, but will cause them to grow firm and round
and impart to the outline of the figure those graceful contours which
are so universally admired. Without well-conditioned muscle the most
beautifully proportioned woman in the world will look comparatively
shapeless and flabby; her muscles are not required to show up as in
the case of a man’s, but they must be there all the same as a solid
foundation for the overlying flesh. Take a woman’s arm, for instance;
if it has been duly exercised and developed, it is easy enough to see
that its shapeliness and good modelling are due to the muscles; white
and soft though the skin may be, you can tell at a glance that it is
firm and elastic to the touch. On the other hand, the arm of the woman
who has never exercised the muscles, betrays the fact unmistakably;
it may be plump and round, but its lines are lacking in beauty, its
movements in grace; and so with the figure generally.
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The effects of my system are very rapidly noticeable. It reduces the
size of the waist, makes the limbs round, the figure pliant, the walk
and carriage graceful and easy. For those women who are doomed to a
more or less sedentary life it works wonders, and those whose means and
occupation permit of their indulging in a healthier outdoor life will
find it a splendid preparation for their favourite pastimes.
Just a word with regard to complexion. A fine skin and a good healthy
colour are the best proofs of the possession of good health. Indeed,
without health a good skin and complexion are out of the question; and
where is the woman who does not desire to possess both? She is indeed
rare. Therefore, to those women who, while they do not set a high
enough value upon health and strength for their own sakes, yet desire
to be fair to look upon, I say the two things must inevitably go hand
in hand. Whether your prime object be to obtain beauty or health does
not matter; by working upon my system you will obtain both.