Subtitle: "Toward an embodied cognition framework for mind-body research," by Osypiuk et al. in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, May 1, 2018. The abstract:
"Dynamic and static body postures are a defining characteristic of
mind-body practices such as Tai Chi and Qigong (TCQ). A growing body of
evidence supports the hypothesis that TCQ may be beneficial for
psychological health, including management and prevention of depression
and anxiety. Although a variety of causal factors have been identified
as potential mediators of such health benefits, physical posture,
despite its visible prominence, has been largely overlooked. We
hypothesize that body posture while standing and/or moving may be a key
therapeutic element mediating the influence of TCQ on psychological
health. In the present paper, we summarize existing experimental and
observational evidence that suggests a bi-directional relationship
between body posture and mental states. Drawing from embodied cognitive
science, we provide a theoretical framework for further investigation
into this interrelationship. We discuss the challenges involved in such
an investigation and propose suggestions for future studies. Despite
theoretical and practical challenges, we propose that the role of
posture in mind-body exercises such as TCQ should be considered in
future research."
"Importantly, they also emphasize this balanced state of postural tone is not solely due to “unconscious postural engineering rules or principles of biomechanical alignment,” but also is shaped by a rich “suite of dynamic, interoceptively rich, intentional qualities."
ReplyDelete"Thus, at the core of TCQ training is a dialectical (or ecological) co-creation of body postures and mental states, whereby physical shapes facilitate mental qualities and mental states inform physical shapes."
ReplyDelete"We begin by providing an evolutionary framework for understanding the interdependence of posture and emotion. We call attention to the role of body language in the communication and perception of emotion and how it may have shaped the complex biology underlying links between posture and psychological states. We then provide examples from both experimental and observational research demonstrating how feedback from both the body and facial expressions influences emotion and cognition, and conversely, how affect influences physical posture and movement."
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