Laban Movement Analysis Effort Actions

Laban Movement Analysis Derived from the practices and theories of Rudolph Laban (1879-1958), a choreographer, dancer, and movement theorist who made many contributions to the dancing world. Laban developed Labanotation, a system of dance notation which, at his time, elevated dance as an art form.

L.M.A. is a system and a language for observing, describing and notating all forms of movement. A movement analyst can use this language to describe and interpret human movement from the gesture of a hand in conversation to the complex action of a skilled athlete. L.M.A. can be used as a tool by dancers, athlete, physical and occupational therapist, and anyone wishing to enhance, refine, and clarify movement. The theory and practice of today’s L.M.A. is based on four main components (BESS): Body Effort Shape Space

Effort SPACE = thinking, attention, WHERE Space can be indirect (all around awareness) or direct (focused and specific). TIME = intuition, decision, WHEN Time can be sustained (leisurely, continuous, lingering) or sudden (unexpected, isolated, surprising). WEIGHT = sensing, intention, WHAT Weight can be light (delicate, sensitive, easy intention) or strong (bold, forceful, determined intention). FLOW = feeling, progression, HOW Flow can be free (going with the flow) or bound (contained and inward).

Effort Actions: Glide- light, direct, sustained Wring-strong, indirect, sustained Press-strong, direct, sustained Float-light, indirect, sustained Dab-light, direct, quick Flick-light, indirect, quick Punch-strong, direct, quick

Identifying Effort Actions in Movement http://youtu.be/weKGlc1KM_E http://youtu.be/XwWLGEynAxg http://youtu.be/z-WtDOZaEJ4