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A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF LABAN MOVEMENT ANALYSIS

Introduction/General Thoughts
Laban Movement Analysis is a theoretical and experiential system for the observation, description,
prescription, performance, and interpretation of human movement.

―LMA provides a rich overview of the scope of movement possibilities. These basic elements can be
used for generating movement or for describing movement. They provide an inroad to understanding
movement and for developing movement efficiency and expressiveness. Each human being combines
these movement factors in his/her own unique way and organizes them to create phrases and
relationships which reveal personal, artistic, or cultural style.‖ (Peggy Hackney, Making Connections)

―At the heart of LMA is a recognition that movement is a psycho-physical process, an outward
expression of inner intent. ― (Ed Groff, Laban Movement Analysis: Charting the Ineffable Domain of Human
Movement, JOPERD, February 1995.)

Laban Movement Analysis was developed by Rudolf Laban (1879-1958). Laban was a scientist, teacher,
artist, social activist, visionary, and a creator. Combined with Irmgard Bartenieff’s (1890 – 1981)
contributions to the Body category, the LMA/BF work is a living system that continues to evolve.

What can LMA/BF contribute to the field of education?

 An embodied knowledge and experiential learning experience

 ―Whole person‖ education (self as psychological, physical, sociological, spiritual, etc.)
 Understanding of the relationships between Individual/Group/Society
 A perspective for both theory and practice
 A dynamic, evolving body of knowledge—a living system for our changing world
 Transformative experiences
 Using movement in education for a full range of content or subject-matter
 Teaching movement with a larger lens: dance, theater, fitness, health, community recreating
 Learners are active agents in their own empowered learning rather than passive recipients of
received knowledge.

“Men and women develop their power to perceive critically the way they exist in the world with
which and in which they find themselves; they come to see the world not as a static reality but as a
reality in the process of transformation.”

Major Categories: Body, Effort, Shape, Space (with a context that also considers
Phrasing and larger themes.)

Some Major Themes: Bridging Polarities

Inner/Outer Function/Expression Mobility/Stability Exertion/Recuperation

Part/Whole Evocative/Analytical Individual/Group Simple/Complex

©Robin Konie, CLMA, 2011 * www.movementhasmeaning.com

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Shape
Shape is about form and forming. Shape is the bridge between Body and Space.

Basic Shape Forms (aka: Still Forms):

Pin Ball Wall Pyramid (Tetrahedron) Screw (Spiral)

Shape Flow Support: The growing and shrinking of the internal Kinesphere. (Supports the inner
architecture of the body in space). Shape Flow Support is related to Breath which feeds the growing
and shrinking of the torso.

- General: Growing/Shrinking
- Vertical Dimension: Lengthening/Shortening
- Horizontal Dimension: Widening/Narrowing
- Sagittal: Bulging/Hallowing

“Movement goes out into space and creates shapes. But also there is inner space, and breath is an inner shaping
experience. The body shrinks and grows with each breath. Inner breath changes can be supported by sound.
Posture is not built by muscles but by the whole way you breathe.” (Irmgard Bartenieff)

Shape Qualities: Describe ―toward where‖ the body is changing shape. The baseline of Shape Qualities
is Opening/Closing (which is also the most basic thing we can say about Shape). It is process
oriented (a process of ―growing toward‖) whereas Space is destination oriented.

- Vertical Dimension: Rising/Sinking

- Horizontal Dimension: Spreading/Enclosing
- Sagittal Dimension: Advancing/Retreating

Modes of Shape Change: Describes shape change that is either motivated by self or the environment.
The modes of Shape Change are about creating relationship.

Shape Flow Directional Carving

―All about me.‖ Shape change that is environment Shape change that is environment
Shape change that motivated—through bridging or motivated—molds with the
is self motivated. connecting to the environment. Can be environment. It is co-create, adaptive,
Arc-like (generally moved from one 3-dimensional, uses rotary function.
joint in an arc) or Spoke-like (generally Both mover and environment (space,
unfolds from multiple joints in a direct other person, etc) are changed in
line). Carving movement.

©Robin Konie, CLMA, 2011 * www.movementhasmeaning.com

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Effort
Effort can be described as the dynamics, qualitative use of energy, texture, color, emotions,
inner attitude, etc. There is an ongoing (Flow) sense of self (Weight) in relation to the
environment (Space) over time (Time).

Effort is both functional and expressive. Effort is not quantitative—it is qualitative. There is sometimes
an underlying functional Effort (for example: Strength in a weight shift underneath a Light upper
body). Usually, however, we are more concerned with the expressive aspects of Effort.

Motion Factors: Flow, Weight, Time, Space. Each Motion Factor is a continuum between the polarities
which are Effort Elements/Qualities.

FACTOR ELEMENT (Indulging) ELEMENT(Condensing) Motif Symbol

(Only the Factor is
shown here)
FLOW, as a Factor is about Free Flow: Outpouring, Bound Flow: Contained,
continuity, ongoingness, letting the inside out and controlled, keeping the inside
progression, emotions, the outside in, in and the outside out, can be
involvement. uncontrollable, can’t be stopped at any moment, rigid,
stopped, open hearted, boundaries, clarity, etc.
fluid, etc.
WEIGHT, as a Factor is Light (Active Weight): Strong (Active Weight):
about sensing, intention, Delicate, fragile, Power, ―standing one’s
feeling my own weight, overcoming one’s weight, ground,‖ immovable, etc.
―me‖ oriented (me, myself, buoyant, lifted up, etc.
my physicality), presence,
relationship to
earth/gravity.
Limp (Passive Weight): Heavy (Passive Weight):
Giving up my weight. Complete collapse.
Weight Sensing (can be on the Light or Strong end):
Between active and passive weight. You relax and release
into your weight to sense it. Generally uses a lot of Flow.
TIME, as a Factor is about Sustained: Lingering, Sudden or Quick: Urgent,
intuition, decision making, drawing out the moment, instantaneous, staccato, quick,
related to the moment, now luxuriate, languidly, hurried, condenses the
vs. not now, knowing the adagio, prolonging, moment, spark-like, now,
right moment to act, leisurely, ―not yet, not now, NOW!
reinvesting in the moment. now,‖ etc.
SPACE, as a Factor is Indirect: Multi-focused, Direct: Channeled, honing
about thinking, attention, over-lapping, roundabout, in, riveted, linear, laser-like,
intellect and ideas, scanning, taking it all in, single-focused, pin pointed,
perception—using my expansive, seeing all the ―this is it,‖ ―this is the way.‖
senses, environment/other possibilities, etc.
related, external.

Effort can be a single Element or configurations of 2 (States), 3 (Drives), or 4 (full Effort) Factors.

©Robin Konie, CLMA, 2011 * www.movementhasmeaning.com

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Body

Bartenieff Fundamentals:

“Bartenieff Fundamentals is an approach to basic body training that deals with patterning
connections in the body according to principles of efficient movement functioning within a context
which encourages personal expression and full psychophysical involvement.” (Peggy Hackney,
Making Connections)

Goal: A lively interplay between inner connectivity and out expressivity.

Irmgard Bartenieff (1890 – 1981): What is truly fundamental in human movement?

1. Change 2. Relationship 3. Patterning Body Connections

Patterns of Total Body Connectivity

Pattern Functional Concepts Images /Expressive Possibilities

Breath Cellular and lung respiration, ease in Ocean waves, Feeling ―at one‖ with one’s
movement, support in full body shaping self, empathy, soft, fluid, oneness, taking
(Shape Flow Support), Grounding, care of self, ―good enough as I am,‖ etc.
Mobility, Stability, Rhythm, etc.
Core-Distal Core Support, Connecting all limbs to Star or jelly fish, Nourishing core, core
core, Clarity in limbs, Connecting from beliefs, extension of self into world,
core out to space, whole body relationship of me to other, supported to
connectivity, Sets up Kinetic Chains, etc. my very edges, etc.
Head-Tail Dynamic Alignment, spinal articulation, Playful, not rigid, flexible, exploring
level changes, posture, Vertical possibilities, lively sense of self, snake or
Throughness, etc. fish-like, etc.

Upper-Lower Weight propulsion, Yield & Push to Hard work, endurance, relationship
Reach & Pull, Grounding, access to between earth and heaven, getting
space, locomotion in lower, connecting behind one’s weight, achieving goals,
to the world with upper, Humeral- interacting with the world, etc.
Scapular Rhythm, Femoral-Pelvic
Rhythm, etc.
Body-Half Homolateral movement, brain Lizard/camel like, Either or, ―one the one
development, mobility/stability, hand,‖ Sensing the supporting side of
strengthens spine, supports turns and mobility, robotic, zombie-like,
barrel rolls, ect. militaristic, simple, clarifying, etc.
Cross-Lateral Makes 3D, rotary movement possible, Salsa or Latin dancing, Carving through
spirals, diagonals through torso, most the space, radiating into Diagonals,
complex of all the patterns, etc. spiraling down, full movement potential
realized, triumphant, etc.
Development is not a linear process but occurs in overlapping waves with each stage containing
elements of all the others. Because each previous stage underlies and supports each successive stage,
any incomplete development or skipping of any stage leads to perceptual/movement problems. By
returning to these basic patterns, we can re-pattern our responses and establish more efficient nervous
pathways to support our movement.
©Robin Konie, CLMA, 2011 * www.movementhasmeaning.com
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Imrgard’s Basic 6: Femoral Flexion (originally called ―Thigh Lift‖), Sagittal Pelvic Shift, Lateral Pelvic
Shift, Body-Half, Diagonal Knee Reach (originally called ―Knee Drop‖), and Arm Circles

Other General Body Questions to Ask: Where does the movement initiate? How does movement travel
through my body? Where does it come out through my body? Where do I send it in space? What is
held, active, leading, initiating, etc? How is the body connected?

Body Part Sequencing: Describes how movement spreads through the body.

-Simultaneous: All active body parts move at once.

-Successive: Adjacent body parts move one after the other.
-Sequential: Non-adjacent body parts move one after the other.

Space
“A definite movement with a definite trace form is always connected with inner happening such as
feelings, reflections, determinations of the will, and other emotional impulses.” -Rudolf Laban,
Choreutics

General Space terms: trace forms, level zones, reach space, Kinesphere, pathways, personal space,
interpersonal space, general space, Approach to Kinesphere.

Kinesphere: The 3-Dimensional volume of space that I can access with my body without shifting
my weight to change my stance. (Psychological Kinesphere: The space I can ―attend‖ to.)

Approach to Kinesphere: How is my Kinesphere revealed through spatial tension:

Central: Organizes energy and Peripheral: Organizes energy and Transverse: Organizes energy
reveals the Kinesphere by reveals the Kinesphere by revealing and reveals the Kinesphere by
radiating out from and coming the edge of the Kinesphere and cutting or sweeping through
back into center. maintaining a sense of distance the Kinesphere between the
between the center and edge. center and the edge.

Spatial Matrix and Cross of Axis

Spatial Pull: An invisible line of inherent power (potential energy) which can be revealed in movement.
(Crystalline forms, such as the Icosahedron, provide a road map for the spatial pulls.)

Directions: Rays that radiate out from center into space.

Dimension: Each Dimension has 2 Directions. Each Direction has one spatial pull.

- The three cardinal Dimensions are Vertical, Sagittal, and Horizontal. The connecting point of
these three Dimensions creates the Cross of Axis. (Dimensional movement occurs through the
center or by using a Central Approach to Kinesphere).

©Robin Konie, CLMA, 2011 * www.movementhasmeaning.com

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Planes: Contains 2 Dimensions to reveal a flat surface area that can be dissected through a Diameter:
each Diameter has 2 Directions. Each Direction has 2 unequal spatial pulls. (Peripheral Approach to
Kinesphere is evident while moving from the edge of one Dimension to another.)

- The three cardinal Planes are Vertical, Sagittal, and Horizontal. We discussing this in
relationship to the Icosahedron, these planes take on rectangular form, meaning that in the
Vertical Plane there is more Up/Down then there is Left/Right. Thus, the Directions reveals
through the Diameters each contain 2 unequal spatial pulls.

Vertical Sagittal Horizontal

Dimensions

Planes

Diagonal: Has two Directions. Each Direction has 3 equal spatial pulls (as revealed by the Cube).

Transverse Spiraling: A change in 3 unequal spatial pulls.

*To commit into one direction fully bring mobility. To control mobility, use counter tension in opposite
direction.

Phrasing
Phrases: Perceivable units of movement which are in some sense meaningful. They begin and end while
containing a through line. (Peggy Hackney, Making Connections)

 (preparation/intent)  Initiation Main Action (Exertion)  Follow Through (transition)

What we ―read‖ as a phrase or phrasing comes from all aspects of BESS. The ―felt-sense‖ of what
contributes to our personal meaning-making about the concept of phrasing from the perceived:

1. Body Phrasing: Initiations – follow through, simultaneous/successive/sequential, etc.

2. Effort Phrasing: ―blow-by-blow‖ specific Effort configurations, generalized phrases (such as
Indulging to Condensing), etc.
3. Shape Phrasing: Specific modes and qualities, general openings/closing, etc.
4. Space Phrasing: Volute, Steeple, Size of Kinesphere, Planes, etc.
5. Action Phrasing: Sequence of actions

“To study phrasing is to study the dynamics of pattern. The interplay between movement elements
and sequence is the foundation of the tension and excitement of phrasing.” –Judy Lebrie

Phrasing has meaning and often reflects personal values. Dealing with phrasing in its fullness is
complex.

©Robin Konie, CLMA, 2011 * www.movementhasmeaning.com