The strongest athlete may exert the same strength that he employs in heavy-weight lifting, or apparatus work, when applying these massage movements to the body, without any of the possible ill effects resulting from heavy gymnastic work. The use of such strength in the combined massage exercises will thus result in benefit for the body in the form of massage, and this will greatly assist in re-establishing the vitality that might have been lost by excessive strenuous exercises.
It should not be construed that these arguments are intended as advice to refrain from outdoor exercises and sports. Anyone and everyone should practice and participate in any sports suitable to their temperament, time and purse, but care should be taken not to overtax the strength or vitality.
SPECIAL BENEFIT TO WOMEN FROM THE USE OF THESE EXERCISES
The combined massage exercises are extremely beneficial to women and girls of all ages.
Women suffer more from constipation than men. This may be due to the use of corsets, which at times prevent the respiratory muscles from being put into full play, or hinder the blood from circulating freely and often cause flabbiness or even atrophy to the abdominal and pectoral muscles. It is therefore often the original and chief cause of disorders in the digestive and abdominal organs.
It is especially important that women, looking forward to motherhood, should possess strong and healthy abdominal organs and muscles. These will cause a quick and natural delivery of the child; and children born under such conditions are not likely to suffer deforming injuries, as for instance, the tearing of a nerve leading to an arm (brachial paralysis), etc., which often occurs when artificial means have to be used at their birth.
Pregnancy is, however, not feared so much either for the inconvenience of carrying the infant or its delivery, but chiefly because of the current idea that a woman may lose her girlish appearance or not feel as young as before; this has often happened to many. If from early youth a woman has exercised and trained her abdominal muscles, the state of pregnancy will be less disagreeable. She would also look forward to this state with more hope and delight, if she could be made to realize that by care, massage and exercises of the abdominal muscles, after having recovered from her accouchement, she could regain her former figure and appearance.
The combined massage exercises, Nos. 10, 3, 7 and 5 are most beneficial for the abdominal organs and muscles. The massage movements in Nos. 10 and 3 are especially beneficial, for pelvic exudations; they cause a quicker and more complete removal of same.
If girls of thirteen years of age or younger would begin to practice the combined massage exercises and the breathing exercises for fifteen or twenty minutes each day, irregularities in periodical exudations could be prevented in most cases; the chest would be firmer and it would do much to allow the change into womanhood to proceed without any injury to the nerves or general health.