What is flow?

Reflections on the flow state and its applications in a regular movement or creative practice.

Flowing as a state of being

One of my earliest memories of truly losing track of time was when I was around 10 or 12. Paintbrush in hand, head brimming with images and ideas—nothing else existed in those moments. It felt like the world narrowed down to just me, my brush, and the paper in front of me. I’d often retreat to a quiet corner of the house, surrounded by my little arsenal of paints and pencils, happily creating trees, animals, faces—anything that sparked my imagination. Time simply slipped away.

As I grew older and pursued a career in architecture, that same love for sketching took on a new, more structured form. Sketching became part of the job—formal, purposeful, and often bound by rules, deadlines, and expectations. I remember thinking: how did something that once felt so freeing suddenly feel so rigid? What used to be an outlet for creative expression now felt like a task to be completed, a means to an end.

While I worked full-time as an architect, I also taught yoga part-time. It gave me a unique balance—splitting my hours between the field and the mat. My practice became my sanctuary. On the mat, I could explore movement freely, diving into novel shapes and sequences, guided purely by breath and curiosity. I’d often spend one to two hours in this state, completely immersed, without once checking the clock.

But when I eventually shifted careers and embraced being a full-time movement educator, something unexpected happened. My time on the mat began to feel... heavy. Almost obligatory. What was once a natural state of flow now felt pressured—an essential part of keeping my teaching relevant and thoughtful, but not always joyful. That effortless immersion had faded, and I found myself searching for a way to reconnect with it. This was until I discovered the concept of flow and understood the flow state.

Understanding the flow state

In 2023, I enrolled in the Body Ready Method program—and it was there that I was introduced to the concept of flow. This time, it was in the context of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Flow state, as defined by Hungarian psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, is that sweet spot where skill meets challenge, and time seems to disappear. It was exactly the language I needed to understand what I had experienced as a child with my paintbrush, as a young teacher on the mat, and what I was now realizing is a manageable, accessible state.

For the longest time, I believed that true flow was something elusive—something that had to arise spontaneously, almost magically. I assumed it couldn’t be summoned or shaped, that it required perfect alignment of circumstances and mood.

But the more I observed people around me—movers, artists, writers, and masons—I noticed something. These individuals weren’t just waiting for the right moment; they created it. They had practices, structures, and internal awareness that helped them enter that immersive, timeless state.

It was during my training with the Body Ready Method that this understanding deepened. For the first time, flow state was introduced not as a vague, mystical experience, but as something practical and attainable—especially in something as raw and profound as birth. The training reframed flow using the powerful analogy of ICE: Inner work, Communication, and Education.

Inner work speaks to the need to confront and dissolve the fears, doubts, and inhibitions we carry—especially around the deeply personal and transformational experience of pregnancy and birth.

Communication emphasizes the importance of clear, honest conversations with one’s birth team and partner—making space for informed choices, shared intentions, and emotional safety.

Education reminds us that knowledge isn’t just power—it’s empowerment. It’s the blend of innate body wisdom and relevant information that helps someone feel steady, confident, and capable of navigating their birth journey.

This framework showed me that flow isn’t about waiting for everything to align. It’s something we can cultivate—through intention, preparation, and presence.

Putting it into practice

The intention behind this piece is to explore how the idea of flow can be adapted to personal practice—particularly on the mat. Here are a few anchors I return to when I want to tap into flow: breath, pace, rhythm, and intention.

Breath is the ultimate guide—Observing your breath through the movements that you've chosen is a good way to titrate your practice. Breathing while transitioning from one posture to the next and maintaining a steady breath through that transition is a key factor to helping your mind stay focused on the task. To do this begin your practice with an observation of how your breath is in a comfortable position, get acquainted to the intensity and pattern that you are beginning your practice with and know that this doesn't need to set the tone of your practice. As the body warms up, the breath with subtly shift to support your movement matching the demand of the task. Let that be your compass. Tune in to the sound of your breath—it will help draw your awareness inward and bring your focus to the sensations in your body.

Pace is the dial that can be turned up or down—when pacing your practice, as usually prescribed with most exercise regimes, begin with slower paced movements, adding stretches, mobility and static holds to prepare your body. As the practice progresses, notice if the pace supports or disrupts your breath. If it begins to feel rushed or disjointed, slow it down. As you build awareness and ease, you can gradually pick up the tempo. Flow emerges when your pace aligns with your breath, energy, and intention.

Rhythm is the metronome—At the start of your practice, set a tone for the repetitions or transitions you’d like to explore. Rhythm adds structure without rigidity. As your confidence grows, you might shift the rhythm—quicken it, soften it, stretch it—allowing your body to respond intuitively. Following this beat, and adjusting it spontaneously, keeps you present and in flow.

Intention is the foundation—A clear intention helps you stay connected to the purpose behind your practice. Set both short-term and long-term intentions. Daily intentions might vary—mental focus, emotional grounding, or physical ease—while long-term intentions could involve building strength, flexibility, or resilience. These goals provide direction without boxing in your creativity. They help you stay present while giving your practice a sense of continuity and purpose.

Flow is a Privilege, not a Prerequisite

The flow state isn’t a requirement for every creative or purposeful act—it’s not a switch we must flip to produce something meaningful. It’s a privilege to enter that immersive state regularly and stay there long enough to birth something profound. But as living, breathing humans, we naturally ebb and flow. Energy, emotion, and time shift constantly.

It’s important to honour the days when flow doesn’t emerge. On those days, simply showing up is enough. The practice—be it movement, art, caregiving, or work—still holds value, even if it unfolds without the magic of flow.

That said, when we do have the time, space, and energy, we can gently guide ourselves toward that state. Flow doesn’t have to be a happy accident. It can be cultivated. And it begins with awareness and intention.

What follows is a flexible, adaptable framework—a template to help you approach any activity with the potential to enter flow. Whether you’re on the mat, in the studio, at your desk, or in the kitchen, this structure can meet you where you are, and support where you want to go.