This exercise is combined in such a way that there is obtained the movements of the arms and the bending of the upper body forward and to the sides, together with massage of the outer side of the thighs, the hips, the lower sides of the body, the chest and breasts.
In bending the body forward and to the side, in order to stroke upward over the opposite side from the thigh, the body makes a sort of twisting movement which is especially beneficial for the muscles of the lower sides, the upper abdomen and the lower back, as well as for the liver. These muscles then become stretched when the hand strokes outward to the armpit, on the other side of the upper chest, and the body is bent to that side.
The movements of the body and arms in applying the massage movements, exercise the muscles and nerves of the arms, the shoulders, the back, the chest, the lower sides and the diaphragm. They also influence the liver, the heart and the digestive organs.
The massage influences the muscles of the outer side of the thighs, the hips, the sides of the body and the chest and breasts.
THE COMBINED MASSAGE EXERCISE No. 10
Massaging with the left hand, from the side of the right hip, straight across the lower abdomen to the left side. Then, with the right hand, from the side of the left hip, straight across the lower abdomen to the right side. Massaging again with the left hand from the side of the right hip—but this time with the hand placed about four inches higher up—inward and upward underneath the border of the false ribs to the sternum (the bone in the middle of the chest, and to which the ribs are attached in front). Then massage with the right hand from the side of the left hip inward and upward under the false ribs to the end of the sternum, placing the right hand on top of the left, when massaging with the latter and vice-versa.
Detailed Description
Position.—Standing erect, heels about six inches apart and feet pointed slightly outward, legs and feet stationary.
Exercise No. 10.