Being In Flow

Abbi and I after Poetry With Purpose 2024 (themed poetry events) at Diamondz studio

Being In FlowHello again, good to have you here for another #DiamondzDialogue (check us out on all the socials for past, present and future blogs!)This time around, we are delving into the state of ‘flow.’ What is flow? The ease of resistance against conversational barriers. Translation? The ability to have a chat with someone who just gets it. Whether it’s a certain situation, occupation, hobby or brain type, the power of connecting is incredible. Flow is as consistent as it is fleeting, both are invaluable. It can be a moment of connection through a shared recognition of a TV show reference overheard in a crowded space and suddenly, there is a unity that might not have existed had it not been for that. Flow can be 2 neurodivergent people (such as Abbi and myself) infodumping on their favourite hyperfocus without a need to justify a word of it. When respect is given for individuality, passion is contagious and I believe we should spread it every chance we get. Now, Flow is also a piece that students of Diamondz and myself collaborated on, originally for showcase event Unify Through Creativity or UTC and evolved into a piece for the dance competition True Motion in Lincoln (which can be read about in more detail in our other blogs; Dancing Our Way to Unity: An Insight into Diamondz Inferno- How a Community Dance Show Brings People Together But flow in the sense of wider collaboration between students, Abbi and myself was apparent in how the work was created and therefore expressed, eventually, to the public. In fact, we created flow from absolutely nothing. What do I mean by this? If you listen to the piece we made (HERE), focus on the words. “Hey, hey, hey, hey, how are you?” You wouldn’t start a conversation saying hey 4 times unless, maybe, you were trying to get someone’s attention and whilst I think it succeeds in garnering attention, the process behind matching words to the physical language of dance was deeply intriguing for myself and others, exploring how it’s even achieved. Breaking down the syllables of words empowered various ‘soundtracks’ to move around. We settled on what we had but trust me, there were SO many options which could, in a way, steer the artistic direction! Breaking each set of words up by the/, think about the examples below and try to hear the faster, choppier phrasing compared to the slower pace: “Hey! Hi! Hey! Hi! How are you, hey hey!”“Hey, hello, how are you today/How are you today, hey hey!” I think combining my lyrics to their movements is a first in the area and I’m so proud we realised this vision and when it came to the performances, it really did Flow. It’s probably out of a lot of people’s comfort zones to make rhythm out of speech but Abbi delivered, the team of students absolutely dived in and smashed it….and I was there. Self-deprecating humour aside, I am fascinated by the flow of dance, poetry and human conversations alike as all serve as a platform for connection. Because human connection and empowerment are forms of True Motion…. QUESTION TIME: Have you ever been in flow/flow state? Until next month…check out these blogs in the meantime! BLOG | Diamondz Dance Join the conversation with your thoughts and feelings on our socials with #DiamondzDialogue