Laban's Language of Movement
That's where Laban's efforts come into play. Laban breaks down the way we move using three different areas of analysis: space, weight and time. Space can be either direct or indirect. Weight can be strong or light. Time can be sudden or sustained. When you put these all together, you end up with eight efforts that classify styles of movement, as well as something of the personality of the person making that movement.
Direct, strong, sudden--------punch (thrust)
Indirect, strong, sudden------slash
Direct, strong, sustained-----push
Indirect, strong, sustained---wring
Direct, light, sudden----------dab
Indirect, light, sudden--------flick
Direct, light, sustained-------glide
Indirect, light, sustained-----float
Most of us generally inhabit one or two of these efforts (one when we're happy, another when we're angry :)) at the most. The others are usually not as comfortable for us. But as we start experimenting with these different efforts, we can learn to use all of them. Using the efforts makes it possible for us to create wildly different physical performances, while still remaining true to our own unique and special quality that only we can bring to the table.
That's where Laban's efforts come into play. Laban breaks down the way we move using three different areas of analysis: space, weight and time. Space can be either direct or indirect. Weight can be strong or light. Time can be sudden or sustained. When you put these all together, you end up with eight efforts that classify styles of movement, as well as something of the personality of the person making that movement.
Direct, strong, sudden--------punch (thrust)
Indirect, strong, sudden------slash
Direct, strong, sustained-----push
Indirect, strong, sustained---wring
Direct, light, sudden----------dab
Indirect, light, sudden--------flick
Direct, light, sustained-------glide
Indirect, light, sustained-----float
Most of us generally inhabit one or two of these efforts (one when we're happy, another when we're angry :)) at the most. The others are usually not as comfortable for us. But as we start experimenting with these different efforts, we can learn to use all of them. Using the efforts makes it possible for us to create wildly different physical performances, while still remaining true to our own unique and special quality that only we can bring to the table.