In an ever-changing world, good manners never go out of style. These essential skills and tips will help you all aspects as you grow into womanhood. Good manners are not just a quaint and old-fashioned concept. They’re an essential aspect of every young lady’s path to adulthood. It’s safe to say that today’s young woman is exposed to more opportunities than any generation of women in history, and these essential guidelines created by author Kay West will help parents ensure that their daughters grow up to succeed in any situation. In 50 Things Every Young Lady Should Know, you will learn about: Making conversation with adults Accepting a gift you don't like Dressing appropriately Winning and losing graciously Writing a thank-you note While the formal rules of etiquette are not taught the way they once were, 50 Things Every Young Lady Should Know provides a modern take on the ageless idea that girls should know appropriate and courteous responses to any given situation. This updated guide to traditional standards of behavior proves that manners never go out of style--they’re a crucial skillset that a young girl needs to excel in whatever she chooses to do.

In 1808 Ghent, eighteen-year-old Constance runs away from an arranged marriage to a much older man and by stealing his clothes, sneaking out of the house disguised as a man, and joining Napoleon's army.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1836.

TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE.. 9 PART I - THE VALUE OF HEALTH, AND OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN MAINTAINING IT 15 WHAT A YOUNG WOMAN OUGHT TO KNOW. 15 CHAPTER I: WHAT ARE YOU WORTH?. 15 CHAPTER II: FOOD AND HEALTHY DIET. 24 CHAPTER III: CARE OF BODY.. 34 CHAPTER IV: SLEEP. 44 CHAPTER V: BREATHING.. 54 CHAPTER VI: HINDRANCES TO BREATHING.. 65 CHAPTER VII: ADDED INJURIES FROM TIGHT CLOTHING.. 70 CHAPTER VIII: EXERCISE AND YOGA.. 81 CHAPTER IX: BATHING.. 91 PART II - NEED OF SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE; SOME FORMS OF AVOIDABLE DISEASE, THEIR REMEDY AND PREVENTION. 100 CHAPTER X: CREATIVE POWER.. 100 CHAPTER XI: BUILDING BRAINS. 109 CHAPTER XII: YOU ARE MORE THAN BODY OR MIND.. 115 CHAPTER XIII: SPECIAL PHYSIOLOGY.. 119 CHAPTER XIV: BECOMING A WOMAN.. 130 CHAPTER XV: ARTIFICIALITIES OF CIVILIZED LIFE. 134 CHAPTER XVI: SOME CAUSES OF PAINFUL MENSTRUATION. 137 CHAPTER XVII: "FEMALE DISEASES". 147 CHAPTER XVIII: CARE DURING MENSTRUATION. 157 CHAPTER XIX: SOLITARY VICE. 162 CHAPTER XX: BE GOOD TO YOURSELF. 170 CHAPTER XXI: FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN BOYS AND GIRLS. 179 CHAPTER XXII: FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN GIRLS. 189 CHAPTER XXIII: EXERCISES. 192 CHAPTER XXIV: RECREATIONS. 198 PART III - LOVE; HEREDITY; ENGAGEMENTS. 207 CHAPTER XXV: LOVE. 207 CHAPTER XXVI: RESPONSIBILITY IN MARRIAGE. 216 CHAPTER XXVII: THE LAW OF HEREDITY. 220 CHAPTER XXVIII: HEREDITARY EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, ETC. 227 CHAPTER XXIX.: EFFECTS OF IMMORALITY ON THE RACE. 236 CHAPTER XXX: THE GOSPEL OF HEREDITY. 241 CHAPTER XXXI: REQUISITES OF A HUSBAND. 247 CHAPTER XXXII: ENGAGEMENTS. 254 CHAPTER XXXIII: THE WEDDING. 265 ABOUT THE AUTHOR.. 271 YOGA (Yogasana) 274 HISTORY OF YOGA.. 275 Hatha Yoga. 277 ASANAS. 279 ASANA CATEGORIES. 282 MEDITATIVE ASANAS (3) 283 PADMASANA (MEDITATIVE ASANA 1) 283 VAJRASANA (MEDITATIVE ASANA 2) 290 How to do the Vajrasana pose. 291 How to make the Vajrasana pose more comfortable. 292 Precautions. 292 SWASTIKASANA (MEDITATIVE ASANA 3) 294 STANDING ASANAS (4) 298 TADASANA (STANDING ASANA 1) 298 EKAPADASANA (STANDING ASANA 2) 305 TRIKONASANA (STANDING ASANA 3) 311 What is a Trikonasana?. 311 Benefits of Trikonasana. 311 What are the Steps for Trikonasana?. 312 PADAHASTASANA (STANDING ASANA 4) 315 KNEELING ASANAS (3) 318 USHTRASANA (KNEELING ASANA 1) [Camel Pose] 318 MARJARASANA (KNEELING ASANA 2) 322 What Is Marjariasana or Cat Stretch Pose?. 322 Types of Cat Pose. 322 Health Benefits of Cat Stretch Pose. 323 Step-by-step Guide to Do Cat Stretch Pose. 326 Common Mistakes to Avoid. 327 Easy Modifications for Beginners. 327 Precautions and Contraindications. 327 SHASHANKASANA (KNEELING ASANA 3) 329 What is Shashankasana?. 330 How to Perform Shashankasana Steps?. 332 SITTING ASANAS (6) 333 BHADRASANA (SITTING ASANA 1) [Butterfly Pose] 333 What is Bhadrasana (Butterfly Pose or Gracious Pose)?. 334 SIMHASANA (SITTING ASANA 2) 339 GOWMUKASANA (SITTING ASANA 3) (Gomukasana Cow Pose) 344 How to do Gomukhasana. 344 Beginner’s tip: 345 Benefits of Gomukhasana: 345 Contraindications: 346 VAKRASANA (SITTING ASANA 4) 347 What is Vakrasana?. 347 Top Benefits of Vakrasana. 347 Procedure of Vakrasana. 349 Common Vakrasana Contraindications. 350 Quick Tips for Vakrasana. 351 PARVATASANA (SITTING ASANA 5) [Mountain Pose] 352 PASCHIMOTTANASANA (SITTING ASANA 6) 355 How to do Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward bend) 355 Benefits of Paschimottanasana. 356 PRONE ASANAS (5) 357 BHUJANGASANA (PRONE ASANA 1) [The Cobra Pose] 357 SHALABASANA (PRONE ASANA 2) 365 How to do Shalabhasana. 366 Benefits of the Shalabhasana. 366 DHANURASANA (PRONE ASANA 3) [BOW POSE] 368 Dhanurasana – etymology. 368 Prerequisites for Dhanurasana. 369 How to do Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) 369 Benefits of Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) 370 Contraindications of Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) 370 NAUKASANA (PRONE ASANA 4) 372 How to do Naukasana. 372 Benefits of the Naukasana. 373 MAKARASANA (PRONE ASANA 5) [Crocodile Pose] 376 Crocodile Pose In Yoga (Makrasana) 376 Crocodile pose Steps (First Variation) 377 Crocodile Pose Steps (Second Variation) 377 Crocodile Pose Benefits. 378 Contraindication. 379 SIX SUPINE ASANAS (5) 380 PAVANMUKTASANA (SUPINE ASANA 1) 380 SETHUBHANDASANA (SUPINE ASANA 2) [Bridge Pose] 385 Sanskrit 385 Cautions & Contraindications. 386 How to do Bridge Pose. 386 Beginner tips. 387 Teaching Bridge Pose. 388 MATSYASANA (SUPINE ASANA 3) [The Fish Pose] 390 What is Matsyasana Yoga (Fish Pose)?. 390 UTHITAPADAHASTASANA (SUPINE ASANA 4) [Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose] 394 Meaning. 394 Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana Practice Guide. 395 How to Do Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana. 396 Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana Benefits. 398 HALASANA (SUPINE ASANA 5) [The Plough/Plow Pose] 400 What is Halasana?. 400 What are the benefits of Halasana?. 400 How to perform Halasana. 401 Precautions and common mistakes. 403 SHAVASANA (SUPINE ASANA 6) [The Corpse Pose] 404 How to do Savasana (Corpse Pose) 404 Benefits of Savasana. 405 Contraindications. 405 TWO INVERTED ASANA (2) 406 SARVANGASANA (INVERTED ASANA 1) 406 How to do Sarvangasana.. 406 Benefits of Sarvangasana.. 407 Contraindications. 408 SIRASASANA (INVERTED ASANA 2) [HEAD STAND POSE] 409 Steps of Sirsasana. 409 Preparatory poses associated with Sirsasana. 411 Follow up poses. 411 Performing Tips. 412 The science of Sirsasana. 412 Benefits of Sirsasana. 412 Precautions and contraindications associated with Sirsasana. 413 SURYA NAMASKAR.. 415 PRANAYAMA.. 429 What exactly is pranayama?. 431 What are the benefits according to science?. 433 1. Decreases stress. 434 2. Improves sleep quality. 434 3. Increases mindfulness. 434 4. Reduces high blood pressure. 434 5. Improves lung function. 434 6. Enhances cognitive performance. 434 7. Reduces cigarette cravings. 434 Summary. 434 PREFACE Understanding Self-Worth One of the most important things a young lady must know is her inherent self-worth. Society often imposes unrealistic standards of beauty, success, and behavior on women, but it's crucial to recognize that self-worth does not come from external validation. A young woman must learn to appreciate her uniqueness, talents, and inner qualities rather than comparing herself to others. Confidence in who she is, and not what others expect her to be, is essential for navigating life’s challenges. Emotional Intelligence and Mental Health Emotional intelligence—understanding and managing emotions—is key to a young woman’s personal and professional life. Recognizing her feelings, handling stress, and empathizing with others will improve relationships and decision-making. Equally important is knowing when to seek help for mental health issues like anxiety or depression. A young lady must understand that prioritizing her mental health is not a sign of weakness, but an act of self-care that leads to long-term well-being. The Importance of Financial Independence Achieving financial independence is a vital skill for any young woman. Understanding basic financial literacy—how to budget, save, invest, and manage credit—is crucial to her empowerment and autonomy. Financial independence ensures that she can make decisions for her life based on her desires, goals, and values, rather than relying on others for financial support. A young lady should know how to build her financial security, as it gives her the freedom to pursue her dreams without limitations. Healthy Relationships Building healthy relationships, whether they are friendships, romantic partnerships, or family connections, is crucial for a young woman’s emotional well-being. A young lady must learn to set boundaries, communicate effectively, and recognize the signs of a healthy versus toxic relationship. Respect, trust, and equality should be the foundation of all her relationships. Knowing when to walk away from toxic or abusive situations is a sign of strength, and no one should tolerate disrespect or mistreatment. The Value of Education and Lifelong Learning Education is a powerful tool that opens doors to personal and professional opportunities. A young lady should know the importance of continuous learning, not only in formal education but also through personal development. Whether it's pursuing higher education, developing new skills, or staying curious about the world, lifelong learning equips her to adapt to changing circumstances and seize opportunities. Education builds confidence, independence, and opens up pathways to success.