A Self-Help Series of Postures for Special Conditions

Vital Exercises with Natural Breath Expression

The following exercises^* (figures 15 through 23) use motion to integrate the Life Energy with the action, so the inside and the outside muscles both benefit in the effort. Five minutes of practice will convince anyone of their value.

RELAX THE SHOULDERS AND FEEL IT BETWEEN THE BLADES AS A MOVEMENT. A fine exercise for the muscles of the shoulders, the abdomen, the thighs and the back. Useful in digestive disturbance, constipation, kidney inactivity and general sluggishness. Breathe out completely on going down (fig. 16) and breathe in on the rising (fig. 15). It is helpful to the brachial plexus by releasing the shoulders and neck tension. Let the head relax naturally forward.

* The rest of the exercises in this chapter were published in Dr. Stone's Evolutionary Energy Charts in 1960 and were specifically designated by Dr. Stone as a supplement to those published in his pamphlet Easy Stretching Postures. These exercises and those shown in Chapter 23 are an example of how he unceasingly continued to refine and develop his exercise practices for decades.