Meditative Movement as a Category of Exercise: Implications for Research

• DOI: 10.1123/jpah.6.2.230
• Publication Date: 2016-08-10T12:00:02Z
• Authors: Linda Larkey; Roger Jahnke; Jennifer Etnier; Julie Gonzalez
• Keywords: Affect; Clearance

Meditative Movement (MM) is proposed as a new category of exercise defined by (a) some form movement or body positioning, (b) focus on breathing, and (c) cleared calm state mind with goal (d) deep states relaxation.Two forms meeting this definition, Qigong Tai Chi, are reviewed to examine health benefits found in the research literature, recap elements that should be assessed MM research, suggest where aspects intersect with, distinguished from, conventional exercise.Relevant dimensions key MM, such frequency, duration, type movement, degree exertion, description achievement relaxed recommended clearly described measured consistently define across studies clarify how may affect outcomes similar, perhaps different, ways than exercise.If these suggested standards used, we will gain better understanding which necessary for achieving targeted outcomes. Over time, studied exercise, progress more efficiently domains physiological psychological benefit.