If an exercise is done ten times the different degrees of pressure can, of course, be accomplished with more variation. In other words, a changing pressure may be utilized by gradually increasing it each time, until the exercise has been executed five or six times, then gradually decreasing for each of the remaining four or five times. If the exercise is practiced fifteen times, increase the pressure until the seventh or eighth time, decreasing it for each of the remaining times, and so forth.
THE DEGREE OF EXERTION
Whether the massage exercises are practiced a lesser number of times with a strong pressure or a greater number of times with a light pressure and whether they are executed quickly or slowly; each exercise may be practiced until the desired fatigue is induced.
A boxer, wrestler or any other athlete in training may wish to practice the exercises in such a manner and to such an extent that complete fatigue results. The same may be true in the case of stout people who wish to reduce, when the heart and other vital organs are not essentially weakened.
Men, women and children who use the exercises daily for improving and preserving their health will undoubtedly follow a moderate course and do each exercise only until slightly fatigued. However, more strenuous performances may be executed, but care should be taken to avoid all extremes.
If any exercise provokes fatigue, the fifteen seconds deep breathing between that and the next will probably serve to eradicate this. If not, the pause between the massage exercise and the breathing may be prolonged. However, the fatigue feeling resulting from a vigorous or prolonged massage exercise will not last as long as that which results from other exercises with similar exertion. This is due to the influence of the massage movements.
THE BEST TIME FOR THE EXERCISES
While it is well to do exercises in the morning, the majority do not feel inclined to exert themselves vigorously immediately upon arising. Neither is it scientifically correct, since the body has been inactive and in a prone position for several hours. The following procedure is advisable:
Upon arising, practice the general and special breathing exercises without strain, about two times each. This will benefit the heart action and the circulation. Subsequently, or after the bath, practice all the massage exercises from five to ten times each. If there is no time for all, practice exercises No. 7 or 5, or both.
Get the habit of proper breathing from early morning.