Laban movement analysis

It is based on the original work of Rudolf Laban, which was developed and extended by Lisa Ullmann, Irmgard Bartenieff, Warren Lamb and others.

It is used by dancers, actors,[1] musicians and athletes; by health professionals such as physical and occupational therapists and psychotherapists;[2] and in anthropology, business consulting and leadership development.

Originally, these categories were very basic and Laban himself referred mostly to Eukinetics - which is his effort studies - and Choreutics - which is Spatial Harmony theory.

His student Irmgard Bartenieff later further elaborated these categories in four - Body, Effort, Shape and Space - and this system, known as BESS is commonly taught today.

Several subcategories of body are: Effort, or what Laban sometimes described as dynamics, is a system for understanding the more subtle characteristics about movement with respect to inner intention.

The difference between punching someone in anger and reaching for a glass is slight in terms of body organization – both rely on extension of the arm.

The eight combinations are descriptively named Float, Punch (Thrust), Glide, Slash, Dab, Wring, Flick, and Press.

The states are known as: Full effort, where all 4 motion factors are equally expressed, is usually considered to be a rare and usually momentary occurrence.

Laban described a complex system of geometry based on crystalline forms, Platonic solids, and the structure of the human body.