There is a state of mind in which practice ceases to feel like effort and becomes an experience of complete presence. Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi called this flow, or the flow state: a moment in which our attention is so deeply absorbed in an activity that our sense of time disappears, the inner dialogue falls silent, and the feeling of being a separate “self” begins to fade. Action unfolds naturally, without hesitation, as though the body, mind, and breath were speaking a single language.
Although this concept was described by contemporary psychology, it resonates remarkably with the teachings of Patanjali. In the Yoga Sutras, we find two essential pillars in the practitioner’s development: abhyasa and vairagya.
Abhyasa is consistent, disciplined, and committed practice. It is the daily return to the mat, the willingness to remain present even when the mind wants to escape, and the courage to continue refining every breath and every movement.
Vairagya is non-attachment. It means practising without anxiety about the outcome, without the need to perform the perfect posture, and without competing against ourselves or anyone else. It is allowing the practice to be an end in itself.
When these two principles come together, something extraordinary happens. The discipline of abhyasa provides stability. The non-attachment of vairagya removes the tension created by expectation. Between these two poles, a space of freedom emerges, where the mind finds a rare balance: the challenge is great enough to awaken our attention, but not so great that it creates fear or anxiety. It is precisely within this balance that the flow state can flourish.
During an Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga practice, many of us have experienced moments like these. The breath guides the movement, the movement follows the breath, and for a few moments, we stop thinking about the practice and simply practise. The clock loses its importance. Our concerns begin to fade. The ego grows quieter. There is only the present moment.
Perhaps this is one of yoga’s greatest jewels: not merely developing a strong or flexible body, but cultivating a mind capable of remaining fully present in the here and now.
And this capacity is not confined to the mat. The more frequently we experience this state of presence, the more capable we become of bringing it into our daily lives. We learn to observe before reacting. We develop greater clarity when facing challenges, greater emotional balance when dealing with frustration, and greater freedom from the impulses of the ego.
The body becomes a laboratory for self-knowledge. The breath becomes an anchor. Our attention is no longer held captive by distractions and instead becomes a conscious tool.
Perhaps this is one of the most valuable gifts of the practice: discovering that true flow does not occur only during a sequence of asanas. It can become a way of living, working, loving, teaching, and facing the difficulties of existence.
When we practise with abhyasa and vairagya, we are not merely trying to perform a posture more skilfully. Little by little, we learn to live with greater presence, greater serenity, and greater freedom. And perhaps that is the true jewel of the flow state.
