Page:Japanese Physical Training (Hancock).djvu/87

 Rh —all of whom are trained in jiu-jitsu—have proved abundantly the great value of the resistant exercises with the legs.

It is at this stage that the Japanese student halts, so far as further instruction is concerned, for a considerable time. The exercises that have been suggested so far are considered as being sufficient in scope for the first few months of training. When the learner withdraws for rest to the side of the room, and as soon as his respiration is natural, he is advised to practise the exercise already explained for hardening the lower edge of the hand—not forgetting that the little finger should share in this. After this, if still waiting for the attention of his instructor, he practises those of the resistant hand, wrist, and arm exercises that may be used without an opponent.

It may be noted by the reader that the system of jiu-jitsu does not contain any specific exercises for the waist-line or for the abdomen. In the first place, the use of proper diet helps greatly to keep both abdomen and waist-line at their proper measurements. Nearly all of the exercises give added help. In the very