Environments that Cultivate Positive Embodiment Through Mindful Movement

While exercise is often thought of as a means to maintain and improve the body, there is potential to revolutionize the exercise experience as one that supports embodiment and mindful physical movement. The first part of this chapter explores how to transform traditional exercise spaces (i.e., fitness centers, weight rooms, competitive sport environments) into places that encourage positive embodiment. Special attention is paid to ways sport leaders can create climates that focus on process, experience, and mindfulness, as well as ways traditional exercise spaces can enhance self-care, size inclusivity, and intuitive exercise. The second part of this chapter provides examples of how nontraditional exercise practices (i.e., dance, Zumba, functional fitness) can serve as innovative means to enable positive embodiment experiences through mindful movement. Last, the utilization of social media as a space to share positive exercise experiences that promote body acceptance and body inclusivity is discussed.