ction which is conditional to all proper action of the limbs.
Contraction of the torso while working upon the limbs may draw vitality
from the vital organs.

Gymnasts, as a class, die early because they are always performing
feats. Other dangers are found in the gymnasium, such as practicing
exercises perfunctorily, using quick jerks and too heavy and labored
movements which affect only the heavy muscles. The absence of rhythm and
co-ordination, the presence of too antagonistic movements, the desire to
make a show, too much work upon the superficial muscles are also
frequent faults.

Another reason for the beginning of the day's exercise with joy is the
fact that the positive emotions affect a man in the centre of his body.
They are all expressed by sympathy and right expansion of the torso.
This is not only central in expression, it is also central in training.

The muscles affecting the more central organs should in every exercise
in some sense cause co-ordinate actions in various parts. The expansive
action of the chest is one of the chief exercises because it not only
frees the vital organs but co-ordinates the normal actions of a man in
standing and walking.

Observe that harmony demands that all parts be equally exercised, but
unity demands that we begin our exercises at the center. The organic
centrality of the whole body is of first importance.

We should not only feel expansion of the chest in all exercises, but we
should begin with exercises for the torso rather than with exercises
for the limbs. We want to reach the deepest vital organs as a part of
all exercises.

Sometimes a man goes into a gymnasium and works for the muscles of the
arm, for example, while the muscles of his chest and around his stomach
and diaphragm are weak. In this case the central muscles may grow
weaker. Exercises, not properly centred, will decrease harmony.

I have found many people with lack of support of the voice and weakness
of the diaphragm and the muscles relating to the retention of breath,
but I have found very strong muscles in the arms, while the muscles in
the center of the body were surprisingly weak.

In following "external measurements" too much attention is often given
to the muscles of the limbs that can be measured. It is easy to discover
the fact that the lower limbs have more muscular development than the
arms, but this is of little consequence compared with the weakness of
internal and hidden muscles like