When we reach states of flow, we are totally immersed in an activity and experience, a sense of selflessness, time-lessness, effortlessness and richness. This results in higher intrinsic motivation, greater creativity and better emotional regulation. Breckenridge-based Flow Performance Lab wants to make flow a part of everyday life. The lab-meets-playground is merging science and spirituality by melding modern and mystical methodologies. What does this mean for you? Tools, techniques and technology — think playful card decks, online courses and in-person events — for training your mind and body to shift states and access flow on demand.

We sat down with Flow Performance Lab facilitators John Peralta and Kat Carter to chat flow state.

“With ever increasing numbers of people struggling with mental and physical disorders, our current state of collective consciousness is desperately in need of a radical reboot,” says Flow Performance lab founder, John Peralta.

Kat Carter: Over many years of cultural conditioning, our inner creator, who is at its core a curious child eager to play with ideas as if they were sand to be sculpted into castles, fades into the background. As the burden of our daily responsibilities and challenges weigh on us, we often find ourselves burnt out, stuck in a rut or addicted to something. Finding what makes us come alive and eager to create is the key to unlocking what psychologists call the “optimal experience” or “flow.”

John Peralta: The concept of a Flow Lab developed in 2020 during COVID. An eclectic group of international nomads met in Costa Rica during lockdown and began dreaming together about how to reliably access and even harness flow states. They wanted to explore both known and unknown ways to get into flow, reduce stress, increase happiness, amplify creativity and possibly achieve self-mastery.

25 people attended the first Flow Performance Lab in Costa Rica and discovered that flow can be harnessed through music, movement, meditation, mindset, medicine and more. Educating people about this optimal state of consciousness and empowering them to experience it for themselves is what the Flow Lab is all about.

JP: Flow describes a very special state of consciousness in which a person is completely focused and absorbed in an activity. People sometimes describe this as being “in the zone.” Think of extreme athletes, musicians, artists and other passionate creators. There are so many incredible ways we can experience flow and even more methods for priming ourselves to get into flow faster and stay there longer. The creator in each of us is simply waiting to be re-connected with and cultivated. This is where the fun begins. By playing and experimenting
with novel activities that intrigue or excite us, we can learn what turns us on and gets us growing again.

KC: Since that first Flow Lab, we have held two more experiences in Costa Rica and almost a dozen events in Colorado. Our goal is to continue to come together and experiment with this awesome altered state of consciousness that we all love so much. We hope to find and connect with more likeminded creators, innovators, movers, explorers and educators to spread the concept of flow and make it accessible for
everyone.

LEARN HOW TO HARNESS YOUR FLOW

Tap into flow for peak performance, creativity and innovation. Flow newbie? Here’s how to get started.

Photos courtesy of Flow Performance Lab.

Flow Formula 101 — An Online Course

The Flow Formula 101 Lab walks you through the science and spirituality behind flow state consciousness. It includes writing exercises and feedback forms to help you find your unique flow formula.

• After completing each module, you will have opportunities to run your own experiments and gather as much data as you can.
• By filling out each Lab Report, you will quickly develop self-awareness and understanding of what flow means to you and how to reliably access it.
• You will be able to begin creating your own flow formula, which will consist of your personal preferences for priming and preparing, as well as unwinding and recovering from flow.

The Experiment — A Card Deck

A Flow Formula card deck for finding flow is currently in prototype production. You can play a digital version of the game at flowlabcolab.com. The digital deck includes quick exercises for both priming and unwinding from flow.

In-Person Experiences

Visit flowlabcolab.com for upcoming Colorado and destination Flow Lab experiences, and join the growing community of professional artists, musicians, athletes, coaches, entrepreneurs, holistic healers, therapists and flow fanatics that are co-creating a collaborative culture.

Listen to Find The Flow Show podcast on Spotify for the latest interviews, tech and flow-state breakthroughs.

Originally published in Summer + Fall 2023 issue of Colorado YOGA + life.

LISA BLAKE
Freelance Writer
lisablakecreative.com