What to write now about the topic that has so much been written about, already?!
Named by the psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi in 1975, the concept has been widely referred to across a variety of fields (and is particularly well recognized in occupational therapy), though the concept has been claimed to have existed for thousands of years under other names. (Source: Flow (psychology) – Wikipedia).
Then while browsing through selected news I found Harvard Business Review- from Oct 17th 2022: How can you find joy (or at least peace) during difficult times?. That article brought me to a very interesting application: Joy Generator. One part of it is Find Your Flow (You can see other parts if You open Menu in the upper right corner of the screen).
This session of application actually supports you in making art (drawing), with following explanations (source: Find Your Flow):
Focusing on these little in making art can help unlock a creative mental state that scientists call “flow” — it’s when you’re so absorbed in a task that time, space and any worries seem to disappear. Flow is seen as a positive state of mind, where deep focus, skill and productivity harmonize.
Playing with art is just one easy way to take a short break and create. It doesn’t even matter if you like what you make. The point is the process.
Flow is seen as a positive state of mind, where deep focus, skill and productivity harmonize.
Now, let’s get back to our topic: Dance and Flow.
Dance is one of the oldest flow activities. It’s complex and appeals to people of all ages. Both informal dancing, such as dancing in a club, and specific genres of dance, such as ballet, can create flow experiences. Teenagers who went clubbing reported a sense of connection with the people around them, and they enjoyed the challenge of producing movements that matched the music and the movements of other dancers (Source: Finding Flow Through Yoga, Martial Arts, and Dancing | Shortform Books).
In the chapter Flow in the dancing body: an intersubjective experience, of The Oxford Handbook of Dancing and Wellbeing interesting connection between dancer and spectator is explained, related to flow:
“It is argued, flow enables the researcher/spectator to connect to, act into, and merge with the experience of the dancer, informing both their understanding of the dancer’s wellbeing and their own wellbeing in the moment of observation. Flow thus offers a perspective of wellbeing that enhances the spectator/dancer relationship”.
Although a lot has been written about flow, you can always find something new.
So, now You can try Joy Generator, and put Youself in flow.
And after that, go dance!😊
SOURCES:
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi – Wikipedia
https://www.health.harvard.edu/
How can you find joy (or at least peace) during difficult times? – Harvard Health
https://apps.npr.org/joy-generator/#story=menu&page=0
Finding Flow Through Yoga, Martial Arts, and Dancing | Shortform Books
Flow in the dancing body: an intersubjective experience (openrepository.com)
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