were kept alert throughout the hour and a half. If their attention
wavered they tripped or got behind in the exercise, and the mental
action which went into the movement of every muscle made the body alive
with the healthy activity of a well-concentrated, well-directed mind.

Another point which our young friend learned at gymnasium was to direct
her mind only on to the muscles that were needed. Did you ever try to
clench your fist so tight that it could not be opened? If not, try it,
and relax all over your body while you are keeping your fist tight
closed. You will see that the more limp your body becomes the tighter
you can keep your fist clenched. All the force goes in that one
direction. In this way a moderately strong girl can keep a strong man
hard at work for several minutes before he can make any impression on
the closed hand. That illustrates in a simple way the fact that the
most wholesome concentration is that which comes from dropping
everything that interferes--letting the force of mind or body flow only
in the direction in which it is to be used.

Many girls use their brains in the wrong way while on the gymnasium
floor by saying to themselves, "I cannot do that." The brain is so full
of that thought that the impression an open brain would receive has no
chance to enter, and the result is an awkward, nervous, and uncertain
movement. If a girl's brain and muscle were so relaxed that the
impression on the one would cause a correct use and movement of the
other how easy it would be thereafter to apply the proper tension to
the muscle at the proper time without overtaxing the nerves.

Some one has well said that "it is training, not straining, that we
want in our gymnasiums." Only when a girl is trained from this point of
view does she get real training.

This basket-ball player had also been taught how to rest after exercise
in a way which appealed to her especially, because of her interest
which had already been aroused in Kipling's polo pony. She was taught
intelligently that if, after vigorous exercise, when the blood is
coursing rapidly all over the body, you allow yourself to be entirely
open and passive, the blood finds no interruptions in its work and can
carry away the waste matter much more effectually. In that way you get
the full result of the exercise. It is not necessary always to lie down
to have your body passive enough after vigorous exercise to get the
best results. If you sit down afte