Massage & Exercises Combined / A permanent physical culture course for men, women and children; health-giving, vitalizing, prophylactic, beautifying; a new system of the characteristic essentials of gymnastic and Indian Yogis concentration exercises combined with scientific massage movements; with 86 illustrations and deep breathing exercises

by Albrecht Jensen

4. They cause increased combustion in the tissues, more carbonic acid gas is eliminated and more oxygen absorbed, thereby stimulating and increasing respiration through the lungs and skin pores.

5. The massage movements will likewise stimulate and cause increased activity in the digestive organs. The flow of the digestive juices from the liver and pancreas, which are essential for proper digestion and absorption of food, is increased. They assist in preventing engorgement of the liver and are very beneficial to that organ. The stomach and intestines are influenced directly by the mechanical action of the massage movements and indirectly through nourishment of the nerve centres controlling them.

6. The direct action of the kidneys and bladder is also stimulated, so that waste and poisonous substances are eliminated more quickly.

7. The heart is influenced not only by massaging around and over its region, thus stimulating the muscles and nerves surrounding it, but also through the influence of the massage movements on the circulation of the blood. The strength of the heart-beat is thus increased and the number decreased.

8. Weak eyes have been benefited by the effect of massage on the nervous system.

Summarizing, it may be seen that: (1) In the massage exercises the essentials of preliminary gymnasium exercises are included with their resultant benefit. (2) The therapeutic and physiologic beneficial effect of scientific massage movements are obtained. (3) The benefit of the essential characteristics of the concentration system originated by the Hindus is secured and in a much more effective facile and agreeable manner. (4) In addition, there accrue the other general advantages which the massage exercises possess. A few of these may be noted:

a. The maximum of effect with the minimum of effort.

b. The stretching, pressing, stimulating and nourishing of the nerves in a natural way.

c. The avoidance of mental fatigue. The longer the exercises are practiced the more they are liked, because of their agreeable nature and immediate effect.

d. Inasmuch as they are regulated by the pressure of the hands, they may be adapted to any required degree and thus are equally beneficial to all, from the most developed athlete down to the little child old enough to understand their execution.