Getting in Shape

Known for their beautiful dancing and entertaining, geishas are a symbol associated with a visit to Japan. Their costumes are fabulous, but getting in and carrying it around takes more work than you would think. A geisha really needs to be in shape!
 
Rushing from a dance performance to get ready for a dinner party in only a half hour, once arriving at a changing area, a geisha may only have about 10 minutes left to prepare for the evening event. Her makeup and hair may already be done, but the process of dressing is a workout. After wrapping layers upon layers of colorful kimonos and cords around their tiny bodies (sometimes less than five feet tall!), a final sash called an obi is tied by a dresser in the back.
 
This tight ensemble would be extremely uncomfortable for most women, but the geishas find a way to flow and move freely, fooling those watching from thinking they are experiencing discomfort. Ready to run out the door, a geisha’s final get-up could weigh anywhere from 13 to 15 pounds!
 
Perhaps this will be the next workout craze—geisha dressing? [Reuters]