10 Ways to Motivate Yourself and Improve Your Flow Art Skills

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    Introduction: What is Flow Art and its Benefits

    Creative flow art can be a great way to express yourself, but it takes practice and dedication to hone your skills. Unfortunately, many of us find ourselves stuck in creative ruts or lacking motivation when it comes to honing our craft. If you’re feeling like this, fear not! There are plenty of ways that you can get back on track and reach your flow art goals. In this article, we’ll explore some helpful tips on how to keep motivated and practice your flow art skills so you can unlock your full potential. So read on for more information about how to stay inspired and grow as an artist!

    Before we dive into the tips, let’s first take a moment to understand what flow art is and why it’s so beneficial. Combining the creative use of props such as buugeng and eight ring with more traditional movement arts like dance or martial arts, Flow Arts offer an innovative way to express yourself. Not only can it be incredibly fun, but it can also help to build strength and coordination, improve focus and concentration, and encourage emotional growth.

    Numerous props are utilized in flow arts, but the most well-known include buugeng, poi, staffs, halfgeng, fans, hula hoops, dragonstaff, and many others. 

    1. Identify Your Creative Goals

    The first step on the journey to honing your flow art skills is to identify a creative goal that you want to achieve. This could be anything from learning a few basic moves or mastering complex sequences to developing an original routine or performing in public. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something you’re passionate about and excited to work towards. Setting a goal will help you to stay focused and motivated as you practice because it’ll give you something to aim for.

    2. Find the Right Practice Environment

    Having the right environment is key to staying motivated when practicing flow art. While some people may prefer a more formal setting like a studio or gym, others may feel more at ease practicing outdoors or in the privacy of their own homes. Figure out what works for you and make sure that your practice space is as inviting and comfortable as possible.

    3. Break Down Complex Moves

    Practicing complex moves can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! A great way to get started is to break down complex moves into smaller, more manageable chunks. This will make them easier to learn and also help you to build up strength and flexibility gradually over time.

    4. Practice with a Friend or Group

    It can be incredibly helpful to practice with a friend or group of people who share the same enthusiasm for flow art as you. Not only are you more likely to stay motivated when practicing with others, but it can also be a lot of fun! Plus, having someone there to give you feedback and help you improve your moves is invaluable.

    Don’t worry if there’s no one else around you to flow with. Thanks to modern technology, you can always join an online flow art community or video chat with a friend to practice together this way.

    5. Take Breaks

    Practicing flow art can be demanding sometimes, both mentally and physically. That’s why it’s important to give your body time to rest and recover when needed. Taking regular breaks can help prevent burnout and ensure that you’re always feeling refreshed and energized when it comes to honing your skills.

    6. Celebrate Your Progress & Achievements

    Finally, don’t forget to celebrate your achievements! Every time you hit a new milestone with your flow art practice or learn a new move, be sure to take the time to acknowledge your accomplishments and reward yourself for your hard work.

    7. Break Your Routine

    Sometimes it’s helpful to break the monotony of a routine. Mix up your practice by trying something new and challenging, such as working with a different prop or taking a break and doing something completely unrelated for a few days. With some creativity and imagination, you can find ways to keep yourself interested and motivated in honing your flow art skills.

    Ultimately, when it comes to honing your flow art skills, the most important thing is to never give up. If you keep working hard and staying motivated, you’ll eventually reach your goals.

    8. Try something new

    One of the best ways to break out of a creative rut is to try something new. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and explore different styles of flow art that you haven’t tried before. This can help you gain insight into different aspects of the art form and open up new possibilities for your own practice.

    9. Utilize Tools Such as Online Tutorials or Workshops

    Sometimes, it can be hard to stay motivated when practicing flow art on your own. Thankfully, there are plenty of online tutorials and workshops out there that can help you advance your skills and learn new moves. Plus, these resources can also give you insight into the history of this beautiful art form and help to inspire your creative journey.

    10. Build discipline and consistency

    Lastly, it’s important to practice consistently and build a sense of discipline. Make sure to set aside time each day to work on your flow art skills and don’t be afraid to challenge yourself by taking on more difficult moves. With dedication, you’ll eventually find yourself progressing in your journey toward mastering the art form.

    Buugeng and halfgeng shiva sculpture - dancers pose with flow props

    Conclusion

    Flow art is an incredibly rewarding practice that can help to bring out our creative side. However, it’s important to remember that learning new skills takes time and dedication. With the right motivation and some helpful tips from this article, you’ll be able to stay on track with your flow art goals and achieve amazing results! By taking breaks when needed, challenging yourself with new techniques or tools, and celebrating each of your achievements along the way – no matter how small – you will soon find yourself mastering all sorts of complex moves in no time at all. So don’t give up on those dreams just yet – keep pushing forward until you reach them!