What is it to be in flow?
Flow is when our minds are fully immersed in an activity. A sense of complete focus, engagement, and pleasure. We have all felt this sense, perhaps when performing well at our job, playing a favorite sport, or feeling fully present while interacting with a loved one. The ingredients for finding flow include undivided attention, intrinsic reward, and the perfect balance between challenge and ease.
What does this mean when it comes to yoga and movement?
If you have ever participated in a Vinyasa style class, Vinyasa means flow- flowing between different postures, synchronizing this movement with breath. However, how often is it that you truly felt like you were “in flow”, with your attention fully in that moment? Or do you notice your attention elsewhere… anticipating what is next? Looking at the screen or the instructor? Comparing yourself to others, or judging yourself in some way?
Participating in yoga classes is a truly invaluable practice that can benefit everybody- an excellent method for learning the foundational postures and how to navigate between them without injury. However, merely following someone else’s teachings would be selling ourselves short. Each of our bodies/nervous systems have unique needs to be addressed. By taking time on the ground to explore what has been learned and add to it with creative variations, we can induce neuroplasticity and learning
This will help us get the greatest benefit out of our movement practice. Finding flow in our movement will stimulate our intrinsic reward system, which will keep us coming back for more! With the intention of being patient and kind to yourself, you will begin to unlock the inner wisdom of what your body needs.
Here are some ideas for finding a "flow". The instructions are left vague on purpose in order for you to learn your own way:
1. Lie on your back and hug your knees into your chest. Roll like a ball, and try to find a way to come up to sitting.
2. Find the easiest possible way to transition from lying on your back to lying on your front, and vice versa.
3. Pick two of your favorite yoga poses- then, find a way to transition between the two of them, even if it involves many steps in between. Continue to transition back and forth between the two, seeing if you can find the easiest possible way. (E.g. Child’s pose to down dog)
4. Take five minutes the next time you are in the kitchen cooking or cleaning, and try to notice your “flow” of movements. Is one activity moving fluidly to the next? Are you staying mindful and present in what you are doing? Try to create a sense of flow and presence during this task. Music might help!
Written by Jacob Tyson, DPT - Physical Therapist, RYT-200- Yoga Instructor and The Wellness Station Team