Laban Movement Analysis
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Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) is a system and language for observing, describing and notating all forms of movement. Devised by Rudolf Laban LMA draws on his theories of effort and shape to describe, interpret and document human movement. Used as a tool by dancers, athletes, physical and occupational therapists it is one of the most widely used systems of Human movement analysis.
extended by the work of Irmgard Bartenieff the system is known also as Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis or Laban Movement Studies and comprises of:
- Bartenieff Fundamentals
- Laban Movement Analysis
- Anatomy and Kinesiology
- Labanotation
qualified practitioners are known as Certified Movement Analysts or CMA's.
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Laban Movement Analysis
LMA was developed after Laban's death by his students LMA has four main categories:
Body
- Initiation of movement from specific body parts.
- Connection of different body parts to each other.
- Sequencing of movement between parts of the body.
Effort
- Space: Direct / Indirect
- Weight: Strong / Light
- Time: Sudden / Sustained
- Flow: Bound / Free
Shape
- Shapeflow: growing and shrinking, folding and unfolding
- Direction: Spoke-like and Arc-like
- Shaping: molding, carving, and adapting
Space
Moving in connection with the environment with spatial patterns, pathways, and lines of spatial tension (Space Harmony). Takes the form of set scales of movement within geometric forms. These scales can be practiced in order to refine the range of movement and reveal individual movement preferences.
Bartenieff Fundamentals
Bartenieff Fundamentals are an extension of LMA originally developed by Irmgard Bartenieff who trained with Laban before becoming a physiotherapist. A set of concepts, principles and exercises that apply Laban’s movement theory to the physical / kinesiological functioning of the human body they include:
- Dynamic Alignment
- Breath Support
- Core Support
- Rotary Factor
- Initiation and Sequencing
- Spatial Intent
- Centre of Weight/Weight Transference
- Effort Intent
- Developmental Patterning and its Support for Level Change
Related articles
External Links
- Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies (http://www.limsonline.org/)
- Integrated Movement Studies (http://www.imsmovement.com/) (Laban/Bartenieff)