Holistic movement practices – An emerging category of physical activity for exercise psychology

Exercise psychology has an interest in physical activity behaviour and the psychological dimensions of delivery outcomes. Holistic movement practices (HMPs) can be defined as embedded holistic philosophies well-being. As such, they go beyond what is typically offered exercise contexts to purposefully include mental, emotional, social and/or spiritual components. Traditional Eastern (e.g., Yoga, Tai Chi, Qigong) are examples HMPs, but a range lesser known “Western-born” HMPs 5Rhythms, Biodanza) also exist. have not yet received much structured attention within psychology. To analyse nature discuss their relevance field psychology, with view raising awareness well encouraging supporting future research. We we see commonalities among argue that it useful treat category for only because forms integral purposeful part these practices. provide tentative conceptualization HMP philosophies, brief examples, consider how psychology's subfields participation behaviour, parameters, outcomes, mechanisms applicable study HMPs. Last, briefly explore research issues, including HMPs' multicomponent nature, selected potential mechanisms, methodologies. leisure-based activities landscape many modern societies, deserve by psychologists. Their embeddedness unique opportunities challenges