Page:Tensing Exercises.djvu/79

Rh See Figs. 52 and 53.

Lie flat upon the back. Fold the arms easily across the chest. Rise to a sitting posture without allowing the heels to lift from the floor or the knees to rise. Lower the body as slowly as you rise. Keep the legs flat upon the floor.

If your abdominal muscles are not sufficiently strong, at first, to do this without a jerk or without lifting the legs, place the feet under the dresser, couch or some other object until the muscular contraction is sufficient of itself to raise and lower the body slowly.

As this movement has an interval of rest at the end of the sitting and lying posture, I would suggest that you inhale before each movement and exhale at the close, i.e., inhale before rising, exhale after rising; inhale before returning, exhale after returning.

Seven times, up and down.