Meditation, yoga, tai-chi-chuan, pilates, Indian dance... A few years ago, these activities came into fashion and, contrary to what many people predicted, they are here to stay. Modern man is characterized by a life full of intense tasks, which prevents them from taking time for themselves. Added to this, diseases and disorders that can arise as a consequence of this busy lifestyle, such as intense stress, panic disorder, migraine, asthma, depression, among others. In this sense, the promise of a type of physical activity that would work both the body and the mind showed perfect so that this man could practice physical activity taking care of his body and his head.
Alternative bodily practices have different origins, especially the Near and Far East: India, China and Japan are some of the countries that developed these techniques that we use today. All alternative body practices have one thing in common: breath control. It is understood that it is through breathing control that man is able to reach meditative states of consciousness. Anyone who has experienced Pilates, yoga or any type of meditation, knows that the key to a complete practice is to unite the body movements with slow and orderly breathing rhythms. This is such a fundamental element that the anthropologist Marcel Mauss, in his article “The techniques of the body” assumes the possibility that these bodily practices, from other cultures, would allow man to change his state of consciousness, which he calls “getting in touch with God". In his words:
"In my opinion, at the bottom of all our mystical states there are body techniques that were not studied by us, and which have been perfectly studied by China and India since very remotes. I think there are necessarily biological ways of getting into 'communication with God'. And although the breathing technique is the key in India and China, I think it is much more widespread in general.”
Although with very ancient roots, these techniques have gained the modern lifestyle of Western society. In fact, famous people not only adhered to these practices, but also helped to spread them. A striking example is the singer Madonna who has more than once declared her adherence to Pilates and yoga.
As already mentioned, these practices are here to stay. So much so that some university courses in Physical Education included alternative body practices in their curriculum, as is the case of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. With regard to elementary and secondary education, these practices should also be worked on in Education classes Physics, according to the guidelines of the Ministry of Education and Culture, through the Curriculum Parameters Nationals.
The problem that arises in relation to this type of body practice is the professionals' lack of preparation. If, on the one hand, universities have been adhering to this type of activity, on the other, the inclusion of these subjects in the curriculum university is still too recent for the supply of qualified professionals to respond significantly to the demand that exists in the society today. Therefore, the teachers who are currently working in schools, either prepared themselves for this content individually – looking for private courses – or they are not prepared. Therefore, although these practices are a great content for school Physical Education, it is very little worked on. Who knows, that could still change one day.
By Paula Rondinelli
Brazil School Collaborator
Graduated in Physical Education from the São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP
Master in Motricity Sciences from the São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP
Doctoral Student in Integration of Latin America at the University of São Paulo - USP
PE - Brazil School
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/educacao-fisica/praticas-corporais-alternativas-trabalhando-corpo-.htm
