Spoiler alert: “Finding Flow-The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life” by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is a book that I love.
If you're not familiar, his work is theorized on “flow”—being a mental state of complete absorption, focus and optimal engagement in an activity. Sounds pretty divine to me. So much so, that I would consider my own work to center around this goal.
And while the premise of Csikszentmihalyi’s book is geared toward individual immersion in a task that puts you “in the zone”, I believe bodywork can elicit a dual-expression of this state for both giver and receiver. When collaboration occurs during a bodywork session through non-verbal feedback your body is giving, ideally I am able to tune-in and we are each fully able to engross ourselves in the work. That’s when the magic can happen and positive tissue transformations begin to transpire.
A dual-flow state during bodywork is primarily a product of trust on your end and concentrated awareness on my end. This dance allows for our metaphorical “flow” to manifest. During sessions, your body is constantly gathering information on the pressure or techniques being received, and when your body feels “heard”, tissue resistance lessens and fluidity of movement increases. This is where you begin your journey into flow. Simultaneously this is also when I enter flow, by being fully immersed into what your body is telling me.
Bodywork is a skillful navigation at times to continuously sustain flow without disruption. If the pressure increases too quickly in an area or is too much for your body to respond to positively, the flow is suspended, and from there we must begin again to try and re-enter the “zone”. What allows this state to be regained is the implicit understanding by both of us that your body’s sense of “felt safety” and comfort are of the utmost importance at all times. Flow cannot be forced, but it can be reclaimed and maintained through purposeful and mindful interactions during your time on the table.
The “flow state” (like everything else in life) can be fleeting. But the times that we are able to achieve it center and balance us. Bodywork that is grounded in the possibility of achieving a dual state of flow substantially increases the likelihood of healing and healthful change. So while I might have taken liberties with Csikszentmihalyi’s theory on flow, I think he would gladly be a receiver;)
