2. The standing positions. (a) Description,— For ordinary address, reading, oratory, or debate there are three main positions-the normal position, the advanced position, and the retired position. THE NORMAL POSITION Place the feet side by side, with the heels slightly apart, and the toes pointing outward, making an angle of about 60°. Place the weight entirely on the ball of one foot, and let the leg that bears the weight slant outward. The other foot should lightly touch the floor, and the knee should be relaxed. Raise the chest, push upward with the crown of the head, and relax the arms at the sides. רם. This position is used frequently in calm, unimpassioned discourse. ADVANCED POSITION Advance one foot, and place Position. the weight on the ball of that FIG. 8.-Normal This position is used in direct address, vanced Position. earnestness, or sympathy. FIG. 9.--Ad RETIRED POSITION Transfer the weight to the retired foot. The retired foot will pivot slightly during this transfer, making with the toes of the other foot an angle of about 70°. Raise the chest, push upward with the crown of the head, and relax the arms at the sides. This position expresses repose, or reflection, or will, or determination. GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR STANDING The weight of the body should be on one foot. The hip of the leg that bears the weight should be curved outward a little, and the line the head takes should be in harmony with the slant of the limbs. When the response of the head is perfect, a double curve is thus formed. The body should be erect over the strong foot, the chest high, the head easily poised, with the chin drawn in slightly. The hips and abdomen should be well back, and the shoulders and arms relaxed. FIG. 10.- Retired Position. (b) The counts,— Transfer weight to left foot (90°), 2, 3, 4, Raise chest, 2, 3, 4, Relax chest, 2, 3, 4, Transition to right foot, 2, 3, 4, Raise chest, 2, 3, 4, Relax chest, 2, 3, 4, Advance left foot (45°), 2, 3, 4, Forward, 2, 3, 4, Raise chest, 2, 3, 4, Relax chest, 2, 3, 4, Advance right foot (45°), 2, 3, 4, Forward, 2, 3, 4, Raise chest, 2, 3, 4, Relax chest, 2, 3, 4, Backward to left foot, 2, 3, 4, Raise chest, 2, 3, 4, Relax chest, 2, 3, 4, Glide right foot back, 2, 3, 4, Relax chest, 2, 3, 4. 3. Oblique transition and bow. (a) Description, The weight is already on the right foot. Advance the left foot at the angle of about 45°, and make the transition obliquely forward and backward, bowing the body slightly in the backward movement. Then make the transition again to the left foot. Advance the right foot at 45°, and make the transition backward and forward as before, returning to an erect position over the right foot at the close. (b) The counts, Advance left foot, 2, 3, 4, Forward, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4, Backward and bow, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4, Erect (over left foot), 2, 3, 4, Advance right foot, 2, 3, 4, Forward, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4, 4. Oblique transition and kneeling. (a) Description, Advance the left foot. Move the body forward to the left foot during counts 1, 2, 3, 4, and during the next counts 1, 2, 3, 4, slowly kneel, bending the left knee, and touching the right knee to the floor. Kneel during four counts. Rise slowly over the left foot. Advance right foot. forward and kneel on the left knee. over the right foot. (b) The counts, Advance left foot, 2, 3, 4, Forward, 2, 3, 4, Kneel, 2, 3, 4, Hold, 2, 3, 4, Rise, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4, Advance right foot, 2, 3, 4, Forward, 2, 3, 4, Kneel, 2, 3, 4, Hold, 2, 3, 4, Rise, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4. 5. Exercise for walking. (a) Description, Move the body The weight is already on the right foot. As walking is but a series of transitions, all that has been learned from transition exercises should be applied here. Imagine each foot to swing forward in its own line, not disturbing the poise of the head or shoulders. Swing the left foot forward about twice the length of the foot, the foot being turned slightly outward-30° from the direct line in front -and touch the ball of the foot to the floor at the first count. Then transfer the weight to the left foot. Swing the right leg forward, and touch the ball of the right foot to the floor. Then transfer the weight to the right foot. Take ten steps forward, counting four to each step. This exercise should be practised until the walk of the individual is easy, graceful, and dignified. (b) The counts,— Weight on right foot, 2, 3, 4, Left, 2, 3, 4, Right, 2, 3, 4, Left, 2, 3, 4, Right, 2, 3, 4, etc. 6. Poising of the head. (a) Description,— There are three movements in this exercise: FIRST MOVEMENT Poise the head from the erect position toward the right chest, letting the right cheek lead. This is the attitude of affection. Move the head backward in the same line toward the back of the left shoulder, the cheek being turned upward. This is the attitude of adoration. Take the erect position, the attitude of life, and repeat this poising exercise for the opposite side. SECOND MOVEMENT Push the head back at the crown toward the right shoulder, letting the crown of the head lead. This is the attitude of defiance or will. Poise the head forward in the same line to the left chest, until the chin almost touches the chest. This is the attitude of mentality. It may express reflection or sorrow. Poise the head to an erect position, and repeat the exercise for the opposite side. THIRD MOVEMENT Poise the head backward toward the right shoulder, letting the chin lead. This is the attitude of pertness or dis |