the right,--and, to keep the
balance true, the head again tips to the left a little. Now rise slowly
and freely from that to standing on both feet, with body and head
erect; then drop on the right foot with the body to left, and head to
right. Here again, as in the motions with the spine, there is a great
difference in the way they are practised. Their main object is to help
the muscles to an independent individual co-ordination, and there
should be a new sense of ease and freedom every time we practise it.
Hold the chest up, and push yourself erect with the ball of your free
foot. The more the weight is thought into the feet the freer the
muscles are for action, provided the chest is well raised. The forward
and back spinal motion should be taken standing also; and there is a
gentle circular motion of the entire body which proves the freedom of
all the muscles for natural movement, and is most restful in its result.

The study for free movement in the arms and legs should of course be
separate. The law that every part moves from something prior to it, is
illustrated exquisitely in the motion of the fingers from the wrist.
Here also the individuality of the muscles in their perfect
co-ordination is pleasantly illustrated. To gain ease of movement in
the fore arm, its motive power must seem to be in the upper arm; the
motive power for the entire arm must seem to be centred in the
shoulder. When through various exercises a natural co-ordination of the
muscles is gained, the arm can be moved in curves from the shoulder,
which remind one of a graceful snake; and the balance is so true that
the motion seems hardly more than a thought in the amount of effort it
takes. Great care should be given to freeing the hands and fingers.
Because the hand is in such constant communication with the brain, the
tension of the entire body often seems to be reflected there. Sometimes
it is even necessary to train the hand to some extent in the earliest
lessons.

Exercises for movement in the legs are to free the joints, so that
motions may follow one another as in the arm,--the foot from the ankle;
the lower leg from the upper leg; the upper leg from the hip; and,
as--in the arm, the free action of the joints in the leg comes as we
seem to centre the motive power in the hip. There is then the same
grace and ease of movement which we gain in the arm, simply because the
muscles have their natural equilibrium.

Thus the motive power of the