Anger and other perceived emotions through the use of oriental practices in artistic-expressive motor tasks

Abstract

Two objectives were set: a) know how the emotion of anger fundamentally evolves and other feelings and emotions that the students experienced in Body Expression class after including oriental practices typical of martial arts; b) point out physical practices and strategies used in the intervention that can reduce the emotion of anger. Seventy university students who are studying Body Expression in the Degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences participated in the study. An intervention of eight sessions was implemented, for eight weeks. Information was collected through focus groups and teache'rs diary. The analysis produced three categories/themes: emotions, physical activities, and anger reduction strategies. After the intervention, the students experienced more positive than negative emotions, although the negative ones predominated before the beginning of the sessions. Music, slow movements, silence, breath work, and meditation are pointed out as valid strategies for reducing anger.