Page:Massage & exercises combined (second version).djvu/66

 upward over the right breast and across the upper chest to the left side and ceases under the left armpit. At the same time, the trunk which has been bent slightly forward, while the hands were stroking across the lower chest and abdomen, is raised and bent slightly backward. In thus stroking inward and upward over the chest, the hands and fingers are held in the same way as when they were on the sides of the body. When moving over the breasts the left forearm is of course crossed over the right (Fig. 5 H), but when reaching the middle of the chest the hands cross, the left hand being directly above the right (Fig. 5 I), and from there they continue stroking transversely over the chest to their respective sides under the armpit (Fig. 5 J).

The hands are now released and brought as far up on the back as possible. The backs of the clenched hands are placed on each side of the back, in such a way, that the knuckles at the base of the finger of each hand are close to and opposite each other on each side of the spinal column (Fig. 5 K). Stroke thus from there with the backs of both hands simultaneously downward on each side of the lower back and buttocks, the knuckles following the spine on each side of same (Fig. 5 L).

This exercise done five times will take about half a minute.

If unable to place the hands behind the ankles without bending the knees, the latter may be bent slightly or the leg stroked at a distance from the ankle possible to reach without bending the knees.

When the hands are stroking and pressing over the legs, let the raising movement of the trunk pull the out-stretched arms up as far as the motion permits.

Combined with Deep Breathing

If done very slowly, deep breathing may be practiced with this exercise in the following way: