les and thus cause soreness. In general, the
actions of muscles should be as varied as possible, but should be
easily, progressively developed. Every successive day, exercises should
receive a little more vigor until normal conditions are established.

Some kinds of exercises may be omitted at first. We may leave out all
the exercises sitting or those lying on the side. A few of the standing
exercises may also be omitted.

You will be tempted, however, to omit too much as a rule and then some
special day to practice too many. Even if you do get a little sore or
lame or feel a little as if you had overdone it is better than
under-doing, and nature will soon correct the abnormal condition. The
next time you practice the exercise you can eliminate the bad effects of
your former practice.

In all cases of sickness, or weakness from any cause, special care must
be given to gentle stretches and manipulation. The movements should be
slow and steady. Do not leave yourself in a state of pain but of
enjoyment.

Remember that growth in nature is slow. The stronger the organism, like
the oak, the slower the growth. A weed may grow almost in a night. Be
patient, therefore, do not worry,--be persevering and regular in all the
habits of life.

Some constitutions need more exercise than others. Those who are growing
fleshy need quick, vigorous exercises, while those who are growing thin
and emaciated need slow, steady ones, as do those who are nervous.

14. Establish periodicity.

All development in nature proceeds in a regular and continuous sequence.
There are certain alternations and variations, but these take place at
specific periods.

The organism will adapt itself to regular periods. Thus, if we take our
meals regularly, we get hungry at the same time every day. We should go
to bed at a regular hour; at that time the system demands rest and we
become sleepy.

Parents are so anxious that their children have a good time that they
frequently cultivate irregular habits and thus lay the foundation of
future failure.

Health is greatly dependent upon regular hours for both work and
recreation. Anything that interferes with periodicity in the human body
interferes with vital functioning. Observe how regularly we breathe.
There is a normal respiration, circulation, and beating of the heart
which are practically the same for everyone. Any variation from these
regular rhythms is serious.

This principle of periodicity appli