This exercise causes great extension of the muscles. The muscles from the heel all up the back of the legs and even of the arms are affected. Then in getting back the muscles of all the body receive a similar extension.
This action is very helpful for the development of erectness of the body. It also causes alternation of the muscles and has a good effect upon the health.
29. EXTENSION OF MUSCLES AT THE SIDE
Standing erect carry the hip out over the right foot, surrendering the whole body to the left side. Allow the weight to be carried out over the left foot, the left hip being widely extended.
This exercise tends to get freedom for muscles at the side and the hip so that the hip upon which the person stands will naturally sway out to the side, and the free hip will be surrendered, bringing the body very naturally into its spiral curves.
30. CO-ORDINATION IN STANDING
Standing erect, expand the chest in opposition to the balls of the feet, and allow the body slowly to be lifted seemingly from the summit of the chest upward. Allow it to return very slowly and steadily and to sink to the heels. Repeat many times.
This exercise should also be practiced upon each foot separately. It establishes right co-ordinations of the body in standing and helps in establishing accordant poise. All the muscles in the body which tend to bring the summit of the chest and the balls of the feet into right co-ordination are brought into sympathetic activity. It is really an important exercise for the development of a correct bearing and posture of the body.
In going upward, be sure that the chest reaches upward and that the body is lifted by a species of levitation.
Keep the body as straight as possible from the heel to the centre of the neck, preserving a sympathetic expansion of the chest at all times.