Active movements are when we have intent behind each part of the movement.
We actually control the entire sequence from our own intent, without using another arm to help a stretch, without using gravity to accelerate or load the movement and without using momentum as either assistance or as load.
Often in exercise, there is assistance through a movement with momentum, gravity or external force.
Practices such as Tai Chi, Qi Gong are almost entirely active movement based.
Often we get caught up in progressing with our run times, our weight lifted or calories burned, but if we solely focus on this, then we miss out on the higher levels of awareness on offer with controlled, or active movements.
When we have control through the entire range of the movement and aren’t assisted, we can have intent through the full range as well. We are able to “tell” our underlying physiology that our activity is not a stressor.
They are slower movements.
Usually it is in active movements that we can integrate the breath, or the intention of the mind. These both can help to deliver a positive message to the physiology, by limiting the response of the sympathetic nervous system (subtle breath and or controlled movement with positive intent)
Active movements could be used in a warmup, a cool down, or as the whole practice itself.
