Cuidado de si e subjetividade: prática do Aikidô e saúde mental

Abstract

In common sense and in the media, martial arts are presented as resources for physical and mental development. Although there is already scientific evidence on the relationship between martial arts and health, there is little production specifically addressing aikido, especially in Brazil. This research aimed to know the experiences of aikido practitioners in Rio Grande do Sul with this art and how they perceive its effects on their mental health. A qualitative research was carried out through interviews with 14 aikido practitioners from three cities in Rio Grande do Sul. Data analysis resulted in the construction of two thematic axes. The first, entitled "Bravery with serenity: self-care and mental health in aikido", discusses the general approach of martial arts, and aikido in particular, to the practice of asceticism, highlighting the predominantly positive repercussions perceived by practitioners on their mental health and its relationships. In the second axis, “Mastery and responsibility: power and resistance relations based on aikido”, the dialogic context of aikido as discourse and practice is discussed, indicating that its unique effects for mental health are built from established relationships. The findings indicated that the practice of aikido presents itself as a practice of self-care based on the potential and limits of dialogical relationships within the practice groups. Also, its own doctrinal precepts refer to the integrative logic in health care, without dissociation from social, mental and physical aspects.