cp 71

Grecian athletic hcroes were aged from ninctecn to twenty-eight. and thcir offcrings were morę bcautiful in poscs and art than in rough sport.

The proof of this can bc found in the statucs of Ancient Grecce. Go to one of America'* wonderful museums and look at the fcw statues from Ancient Greece and think. You will see the chest standing forward promimently. the ribs enclos-ing powerful lungs. the upper abdomen drawn in. causing a hollow right under the ribs and above the abdomen. or belly. the arms are away from the body and thus correct posturę is created and stands bcforc you. There is no sign of the ram-rod spine as taught today. for the body is bent forward most always; the head is not up and chin in. as preachcd by our modern body builders: the stornach is not out. as is always the case now during sports. and if dressed. the statuę s hands would not bc in the pocket. but where naturę intended them to be—away from the body. giving grace and agility to the frame.

Gymnasium in the Open

The gymnasia. or gymnasium. was out in the open— the only fit place for attaining good health. Gymn means nakedness—the Greeks exhibited their bodics in the open air. took bat lis together in the open. cxplained and discusscd literaturę and art. and carricd on philosophical discussions—all in this open gymnasia. Light gymnastics were indulged in for the weak, and heavier movements for the strong. The weak ones would bc shown the road to physical pcrfection by the strong ones. BUT AT NO TIME WAS THE STRONGER ONE TRYING TO BEAT THE WEAK-LING IN ENDURANCE TESTS.—NO MATTER HOW MUCH SOME OF OUR PRESENT EDUCATORS WOULD WANT IT TO APPEAR SO.