the extension of the body, expand the chest and torso as
much as possible.

(3) On waking up, take a thought of joy, of courage, of love toward all
mankind, toward the day and its work.

(4) Maintaining all previous conditions, take a full, deep breath.

(5) Set free with the simplest movements every part of the body.

(6) Co-ordinate the parts of the body concerned in every-day work, and
sustain them with primary and normal activities.

(7) Bring all the parts of the body into normal rhythm by alternative
activity of the parts and in other ways.

To have good health we must rejoice, laugh, extend, expand, breathe,
co-ordinate the primary parts of the body, act rhythmically, set free
all the parts of the body and all the primary activities of function.

In short, this book tries to move everyone to study the simplest things,
the simplest actions, the most normal duties of a human being, and to
assert these and to exercise them the very first thing in the morning.

III

WHAT IS AN EXERCISE?

On account of the many misconceptions of the nature of human
development, will it not be well, before beginning our program to
consider seriously--What is training? What are some of its principles?
What can we do with ourselves by obeying nature's laws? Or, if these
questions are too serious, too difficult for a short answer, should we
not, at least, try to realize what is an exercise?

To many persons, any kind of movement, any jerk or chaotic action, is an
exercise. They think that the more effort put forth, the better. Thus
some teachers of voice contend that, to be an exercise, there must be
muscular effort in producing tone. On the contrary, many movements are
injurious; unnecessary effort will defeat some of the most important
exercises.

The exercise must obey the laws of nature. It must fulfill nature's
intentions, stimulate nature's processes, awaken normal, though
slumbering activity.

An exercise is of fundamental importance to all human beings. Man comes
into the world the feeblest of all animals. He has the least power to do
anything for himself, but he comes with possibilities of higher love and
union with his fellow-men. He comes into the world with a greater
possibility of unfolding than any other created being.

Accordingly an exercise is a means of progress, a simple action which a
man must use for his own unfoldment.

An exercise is a conscious step toward an ideal.

Man is given the pr