The focus of this thesis was to study how participants experience flow favorable activity as method of sociocultural animation. Another main focus was to examine what kind of experiences participants have about the effects of the activity in question. In addition to that, the purpose was to examine how participants experience their present life. The study was carried out in co-operation with an association in southern Finland.

The theoretical basis of this thesis consists of theories of flow and sociocultural animation. Furthermore, the theoretical background shows how flow experience can be used as a method of sociocultural animation. The study took place in a civil society, therefore civil society as a concept was defined as well.

Dance was chosen for flow favorable activity. Dance, like any creative activity, is suitable method considering both flow theory and sociocultural animation. Information for this qualitative study were collected from the participants of a dance course using an unstructured questionnaire. The data were then analyzed using a method suitable for the study of experience.

The results indicated that the participants experienced flow during dance classes. Participants’ experiences of their life at present varied. If a participant's free time was active, it was regarded as positive. If, however, a participant’s free time was passive, it was considered a negative thing. The results showed that the participants had experiences suggesting that the dance classes had an inspiring effect on their lives.

The main conclusions were that the activity in question gave the participants experiences of flow, which lead to experiences of positive changes in their lives. Above all, flow favorable activity as a method of sociocultural animation could be most beneficial for people who are passive and in danger of becoming marginalized.