Flow : an investigative study into contemporary dancers’ experiences of flow states within the choreographic and rehearsal processes

Abstract

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s concept of flow proposes that when certain conditions are met, individuals are able to find genuine satisfaction and enjoyment within an activity. This ‘flow’ occurs when body and mind become one; it is a time in which an individual is described as being ‘in the zone’ and living through optimal experience. Several studies have been carried out on flow experiences relating to sports, education, work and other activities. However, unfortunately, few studies have researched flow experiences within dance. Therefore, in order to study and argue flow states in dance, this dissertation relates to previous research carried out on flow in other activities. In doing so, it aims to investigate such a notion by searching for characteristics which hinder and facilitate the achievement of flow in dance. This is carried out by focusing its investigative study on flow achievement during the choreographic process of contemporary dance. Eleven professional dancers within Malta’s national dance company, ZfinMalta, were observed and questioned using structured and semi-structured questionnaires during consecutive rehearsals. This dissertation aims to guide dancers, researchers, psychologists and other readers to reflect on the understanding of flow in professional dance from a psychological perspective.