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.

3. HOW TO SIT

Badly as people stand, they sit possibly worse. Most people sit in the
most unhealthful as well as in the most ungraceful way. Generally there
is a complete "slumping" of the chest, the spine is brought into a wide,
single curve instead of its counterpoise curves.

All the exercises from the very first, have a bearing upon the
establishment of the normal conditions of the spine. If the exercises
are well practiced, especially the elevation and expansion of the chest,
the spine is strengthened and its normally proportioned curves are
established.

Bad positions in sitting are extremely common. Book-keepers, editors,
seamstresses and children in school need careful attention. Special
exercises should be given, such as the "harmonious expansion of the
chest" in sitting and the use of the arms to develop the uprightness of
the torso.

Bad positions in sitting are often due to a false sense of rest. Muscles
not acting harmoniously tend to completely collapse. Many people sit
without true rest, and are continually shifting their position in a vain
search for rest.

What is rest? The chief rest comes through the alternation of activity
and passivity, that is, through rhythm. Passivity alternating with
activity brings rest to the human heart an