surely lead us
into trouble.

Some natures, after practice, relax so easily that they are soon met by
the dangers of overrelaxation. Let them remember that it is really
equilibrium they are seeking, and by balancing their activity and their
relaxation, and relaxing only as a means to an end,--the end of greater
activity and use later,--they avoid any such ill effect.

As the gymnast can mistake the purpose of his muscular development,
putting it in the place of greater things, regarding it as an end
instead of a means,--so can he who is training for a better use of his
nervous force. In the latter case, the signs of this error are a
slackened circulation, a loathing to activity, and various evanescent
sensations of peace and satisfaction which bear no test, vanishing as
soon as they are brought to the slightest trial.

Unless you take up your work with fresh interest and renewed vigor each
time after practice, you may know that all is not as it should be.

To avoid all these mistakes, examine the work of each day and let the
next improve upon it.

If you are in great need of relaxing, take more exercise in the fresh
air. If unable to exercise, get your balance by using slow and steady
breaths, which push the blood vigorously over its path in the body, and
give one, to a degree, the effect of exercise.

Do not mistake the disorders which come at first, when turning away
from an unnatural and wasteful life of contractions, for the effects of
relaxing. Such disorders are no more caused by relaxing than are the
disorders which beset a drunkard or an opium-eater, upon refusing to
continue in the way of his error, primarily caused by the abandonment
of his evil habit, even though the appearance is that he must return to
it in order to re-establish his pseudo-equilibrium.

One more cause of trouble, especially in working without a guide, is
the habit of going through the form of the exercises without really
doing them. The tests needed here have been spoken of before.

Do not separate your way of practising from your way of living, but
separate your life entirely from your practice while practising, trying
outside of this time always to accomplish the agreement of the
two,--that is, live the economy of force that you are practising. You
can be just as gay, just as vivacious, but without the fatiguing
after-effects.

As you work to gain the ideal equilibrium, if your test comes, do not
be staggered nor dismayed. Avoi