FOR a while it seemed like all jokes and hilarity. But as actress Makeda Solomon began to talk about the importance of self-expression, the session began to take form.

“That’s right, let it out,” she said as Randy McTyson, a student of the Montego Bay Community College who is reading for an associate degree in the Humanities, began to attack the punching bag in earnest.

As Makeda’s calm voice punctuated the punches, Tyson’s features morphed into a pained expression and he appeared to be getting really angry.

“Whap!”

The punching bag which was being held firmly in place by Tyson’s colleague, flew out of his hand. Everyone fell silent as it landed on the floor with a loud thud.

“And that,” said Solomon, as she walked towards the angry youth, ” is what this is all about”.

Minutes later the tension left the room and Tyson was back to joking with friends Thaddeus Watson, Jourdain Perrier and Chad Powell.

The four were part of a group selected by Solomon to demonstrate components of a 10-week intensive psychodrama and threatical course which will be on offer at the new Zen-Si Arts Academy in Fairview, Montego Bay starting next week.

“It’s an outlet valve that allows us to deal with emotional challenges in a safe, structured environment. It’s an opportunity to role play and to dissect and examine your personality to better understand yourself with a view to change,” she said.

The new studio, which is headed by Yoga instructor, Siobhan Archibald, will bring together a number of professionals who will offer instruction in several disciplines including various forms of Yoga, the Martial Arts, Gymnastics, Belly Dancing, Ballroom Dancing, Tap Dancing, Karate, Kung-Fu and Salsa.