Vitality Supreme | Page 6

very large extent by the mental attitude that
goes with approaching old age, no doubt does a great deal to quicken
physical decline.
Therefore it would be wise to remember the very grave importance of a
straight, erect spine. Each day of your life should be to a certain extent
a fight for the best that there is in life and a struggle to hold the spine as
nearly erect as possible. If you are sitting in a chair, sit up straight, head
back, chin in. If you are walking or standing, the same rule should
apply. The more nearly you can assume the position which is
sometimes criticized by the sarcastic statement that "He looks as
though he had swallowed a poker," the more nearly you will
approximate the ideal position.
As will be shown in the succeeding chapter, it is not necessary to make
extraordinary efforts to hold the shoulders back or to arch the chest.
The one idea-chin in, down and backward-will accomplish all that is
needed. The chest and shoulders will naturally take care of themselves.
Furthermore, it is well to remember that this attitude in itself has a
tremendous influence upon both the physical and mental organism. The
mind, for instance, is affected to an extraordinary degree by this
position. It quickens the reasoning capacity, helps to clear the brain of
"cobwebs" and unquestionably adds to one's courage. The man who is
afraid hangs his head. He who is void of fear holds his head erect,
"looks the world in the face!" There is no question that if a man without
fear were to assume the position of fear, with hanging head and
shrinking body, he would quickly find himself stirred by the emotions
associated with such a posture. He would soon "get scared!" In fact, the
attitude of the body has so much to do with one's mental and emotional
state that the question of self-confidence or lack of confidence may
often be decided simply by throwing your head up and back and

assuming the general bodily posture that goes with confidence. It not
only expresses confidence: it also develops confidence. There is a great
truth here that psychologists and those who write "character building"
books have not sufficiently understood or emphasized. And when you
feel discouraged, the best way to overcome the sense of depression is to
"brace up" physically. It will help you to "brace up" mentally. Try it.
Then there are the definite physiological results of maintaining an erect
spine. The mechanical arrangement of the spine itself is such that if it is
held erect the important nerves that radiate to all parts of the body from
this central "bureau" are able more perfectly to perform their functions.
Where there is pressure on these nerves there is bound to be imperfect
functioning. The affected organ will work lazily, indifferently. In fact,
the entire science of the osteopaths and chiropractors is based almost
wholly upon the value of spinal stimulation and the remedying of
spinal defects.
There is another way in which an erect carriage has a direct physical
influence, namely, in maintaining the proper position of the vital organs.
When the body is held erect the chest is full, round and somewhat
expanded, affording plenty of room for the heart and lungs. This, in
itself, is conducive to vitality as compared with the flat- chested
attitude. The stomach, liver, spleen, pancreas and intestines all tend to
drop or sag below their normal position when the body bends forward.
In maintaining an erect position all these organs are drawn upward and
held in their natural position, and this means greater vigor and better
functioning on the part of each. This particular consideration is of
special importance in the case of women. It all goes to show the truly
wonderful value of maintaining the spine in a properly erect attitude.
The sitting position usually assumed is far from what it should be in
order to insure health. As a rule, we sit humped forward, with a decided
bend in the spine, ultimately developing splendid examples of what we
call round shoulders. The spine, while sitting, should be held as nearly
straight as possible. The position of the head, to a very large extent,
determines the general posture of the body. As nearly as possible the
chin should be held inward, downward and backward. I will admit that

this position is almost impossible when one is using the ordinary type
of chair.
An extraordinary effort is required to sit properly in the conventional
chair. Furniture of this sort should be made to fit the body in the same
way as our clothing does. The back of a chair should be made to fit the
backs of those who are to occupy the chair. The chair-back should,