RAVÉ MEHTA combines music and mindfulness in FLOW - the next show on our 10X10 ART SERIES! In the spirit of FLOW, the show is 50% choreographed and 50% improvised, with original music by Ravé Mehta, composed in part during the show.

Q&A - RAVÉ MEHTA

Ravé Mehta is an award winning-composer, producer, pianist and bestselling author. He’s a self-taught musician and plays multiple instruments, but the piano is his true love. Ravé has been practicing and teaching yoga and meditation for over 15 years and developed techniques on inducing flow states through his music to help nourish the body and mind. Ravé also has a passion for writing and his book, “The Inventor,” is a bestselling graphic novel based on the true story of Nikola Tesla.

1.    How did FLOW the show come to be?

It was quite miraculous, actually. I was recovering from Lyme disease and found myself going to yoga classes six days a week and playing the piano every day. Both of these activities put me in flow and aided in my healing process. One day I asked my friend Kristen to do her dance-like yoga flow on top of my piano while I played. It looked so beautiful. We then performed it for a few events with great feedback. Later that year, I was able to get a performance date at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts to do something (anything!), so we took the piano yoga concept and expanded it into a full cast of yoga inspired performances, which I composed all new music to. About two months later, we were on stage with a sold-out theater. It all happened so organically that the entire process was a state of flow… so smooth and effortless. The luckiest part of all this was that I was able to get the URL, www.flowtheshow.com! 

2.    Tell us more about the show title.

The show title FLOW is a double entendre. On one side of the coin, the show is about yoga. We took many of the different yoga flows—dance, acro-yoga, aerial yoga, etc.—and re-presented them as a performing arts. The other side of the coin, FLOW is a demonstration of what it looks like when one is in a flow state (i.e. in the zone!). When we’re in flow, we become hyper-intuitive and every moment leads to the next, without thought or hesitation. Time slows down and everything feels connected and effortless. When we’re in flow we’re stronger, smarter, faster and we heal quicker. When we’re in flow, we’re essentially super human and that’s when we can exercise our highest potential.

3.    What moves you to create a new project (e.g.: a musical piece, life experience or choreographer)?

My passion is creating projects and expressions that bring together art and science to inspire human potential. FLOW is an example of that, using the science of flow states in a performance setting to inspire curiosity and explore how we all can gracefully tap into our innate superpowers.

4.    Can you comment on the dynamic between music and performer onstage, and how your improvisations unfold in the moment?

FLOW can be experienced individually and also in a group setting. Think about a band performing together, when they’re in flow, the music comes together with such coherence and integrity that the audience gets pulled into their flow state. That’s how our show is designed… I first engage the audience to create a connection so we’re all synchronized energetically. I then sit down and play, feeding off the energy we just created in the room together, while the audience bathes in my music. The performers enter the stage and feel my music, while I observe and feel their movement, creating a real-time feedback loop between us. The performers are also immersing the audience into a state of wonder while the audience is feeding the performers with their curiosity and presence, and they have their real-time feedback loop. Through this series of feedback loops, a group flow dynamic emerges creating a fully connected and integrated experience for everyone.

5.    Pick 5 words—that start with the letter 'F'—that best describe FLOW.

• Freedom – When you’re in flow, you feel a higher sense of freedom; and when you experience higher degrees of freedom, that puts you in flow.
• Feeling – Your body is flooded with dopamine and other feel-good hormones when you’re in flow.
• Fearless – To be in flow, you have to be so full of trust that there’s no room for fear, doubt or judgment.
• Fun – Flow states slow down time and everything feels effortless and in rhythm!
• Feedback – Flow has a real-time feedback loop that helps keep the mind and body in flow.

6.    What are some of the secrets to accessing a state of flow?

You can design your environment and life to induce you into a flow state. For example, here are three flow state drivers:

• Be present – the more present you are, the more focus you create and the less room there is for fear. Yoga breathing techniques are great way to create presence.
• Pursue novelty – try new things, travel to new places, meet new people, anything that introduces novelty into your life will create more flow.
• Manage your challenge-to-skill ratio – the challenge should be slightly more than your skill level. If it’s too high you’ll give up, if it’s too low you’ll get bored.

7.    What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Breathe… when you don’t know what to do, just breathe.

8.    Whom do you define as visionary?

I wrote a graphic novel on one of my favorite visionaries called "The Inventor," which is based on the true story of Nikola Tesla and how he used the power of his mind and imagination to change the world despite the all the hurdles he faced. The graphic novel is really about the journey of the human spirit and illustrates what it takes for anyone to bring their vision into this world... patience, persistence and perseverance.

9.    What do you hope audiences take away from your performances?

I really want the audience to feel connected and be inspired to learn more about how they can tap into their flow more consciously and more often.

10. What songs, artists or styles of music are you currently listening to?

I love listening to movie soundtracks. Hans Zimmer and Richard Gibbs are some of my favorite composers. "The Batman" series and the "Tron" movie soundtracks are some of my favorites also. I also love the music from the Cirque du Soleil shows, which are so cinematic.

Get ready for an original experience with the sole intention of raising your vibration! FLOW the show comes to Walton Arts Center on May 24, and like all our 10x10 Arts Series shows, tickets are just $10.