Anna Paskevska on Zen, Flow, and Being in the Dance
I have been interested in the concept on flow for quite some time and have been researching it extensively for the past year. Flow has been discussed under a variety of names, including peak experience, optimal experience, flow, and the zone. It also has been explored through the concept of the Zen state and other meditative practices.
This past week I came across an article that Anna Paskevska - a ballet instructor and author who passed away in 2007 - wrote a number of years ago. In Zen, Flow, and Being in the Dance, she compares flow research with the experience and study of Zen. Paskevska’s article is the best serious (and accessible) treatment I have seen on flow in dance. After writing several articles on the topic, I appreciate the way she alludes to the same principles and yet offers a different perspective. Definitely a worthwhile read.
You can use the link below to find the article. This page also links to another interesting article Paskevska wrote, Toward Understanding How Ballet Training Impacts the Establishment of Synaptic Connections in the Brain. Although the article references ballet, it is applicable to all dances and sports and offers insight into the development of technique and muscle memory. Enjoy!
Click here to read the article.
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