Page:Massage & exercises combined (second version).djvu/125

 ANOTHER SYSTEM

PRACTICING THE MOVEMENTS OF THE BODY WITHOUT THE MASSAGE

The movements or exercises of the arms, legs and the body in the combined massage exercises may also be done without the massage.

Thus, when dressed, the arms, legs and trunk may perform the same movements as when massaging, but without the hands touching the clothes. Done in this way, the hands should move at a distance of about two inches from the clothes and be firmly clenched while exercising, thus contracting and concentrating on the muscles of the arms and also as far as possible concentrating the mind on those other parts of the body put into play by an exercise.

In this way another concentration system, similar if not better than the Indian exercises, is obtained. Of course, this is not nearly as efficient as when done without clothes and with the addition of the massage. It might be desirable to try them in that way at a time when exercise is needed, and there is no time, or convenience for the removal of clothes.

Deep breathing can also with great benefit be combined to some of these exercises in the same way as explained under the detailed description of the massage exercises.