How I Found My Way to Flow

#dance #dancer #choreographer #flowstate

I’d like to share my own journey - the path that led me to the topic of flow. When I was part of a dance group in my teenage years and early adulthood, I used to compete, and I remember that sometimes my performances were exceptional, while at other times they were a complete disaster — at least that is how I felt. I kept wondering: How is it possible that sometimes I felt like a genius and received wonderful feedback from the audience, while at other moments I could read disappointment on people’s faces because it was not what they expected? And I could feel myself being overwhelmed by stage fright. I was going from one extreme to the other. I also noticed that less formal environments like clubs worked wonders. They had their own special atmosphere and there I could feel more relaxed and connected.

It was probably at the Faculty of Sport Studies that I first heard about the flow state. I became interested in it and slowly began to find answers to my diverse performance experiences. I started to learn about the conditions that support flow and also about what prevents it. I began to connect the dots when I performed.

I remember a moment when I was attending a dance battle. Just before entering the circle, while warming up and connecting with the music and my movement, I felt in tune, fully present, and immersed in what I was doing. It was a very joyful experience. But the moment I shifted my focus from myself to the other dancers, I started to lose that connection. My brain began to evaluate the situation and I started comparing myself to the others. I saw how experienced and skilled they were, and I began to doubt my own abilities. My mind took over and I lost the joy I had felt before.

This is a simple example of how important our focus is and why many performers or teachers protect themselves from the outside world before performing in order to perform at their best. Our mindset is our responsibility, and it is also something we can influence through practice.

When I applied for my Ph.D. program, I decided to study flow as my research topic and spent four years exploring it. It helped me to understand this phenomenon even more and implement some of these ideas into my dance practice.

I now share my experience with the flow state through the classes I run called Find Your Flow. You’re warmly invited to join the upcoming class on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 10:00 to 12:00 at BUBR Studio, Makovského náměstí 2 in Brno. You can learn more in the Dance Classes section under Upcoming Events.

What is your experience of flow? When do you feel the most connected and what does usually prevent you from experiencing it. Share in comments. I am curious to read it :).

With Love,

Jindriska