Laban's Aspects of Movement:

Body, Space, Dynamics, Relationship

BODY ASPECTDefinition: What is movingIncludes elements of shape, types of

movement, jumps, gestures

Types of shapeThese are positions of the body5 basic types:

1.  Wide shape         2.  Narrow shape3.  Angular shape4.  Twisted shape5.  Curved shape

Symmetrical: same/equal on both sides OR Asymmetrical: NOT same/equal on both sidesPositive space: filled in space in a shapeNegative space: empty space in a shape

Shapes

Wide

Narrow

Curved

Angular

Twisted

Symmetrical Asymmetric

al

Positive & Negative Space

Negative

Negative

Negative

Negative

PositivePositive

Positive Negative

Types of movementLocomotor movements travel

8 basic types of locomotor movement Walk Run Skip Hop Jump Gallop/Chassé Leap Slide

Non-locomotor movements do NOT travel

5 Types of jumps1 foot to the same foot (hop)1 foot to the other foot (leap, run)2 feet to 2 feet (jump)1 foot to 2 feet (half of hopscotch)2 feet to 1 foot (other half of hopscotch)

GesturesRise: elevate slowlySink: depress slowlyOpen: abduct; bring body parts away from

centerClose: adduct; bring body parts in towards

centerAdvance: move forwardRetreat: move backward

SPACE ASPECTDefinition: Where movement is done.Includes elements of: level, direction,

pathway

Types of SpacePersonal space: Space directly around your

own body; your “bubble”; extends to approximately arms’ length from your body

General space: Space out, away from your body; past your fingertips if arms are extended

LevelsUsing levels makes choreography more

interesting to perform and watch as well as helping to convey ideas.

3 levels:High: Above shoulders; near ceiling; on tiptoesMedium: Between shoulders & knees; normal

standing level or bent down; kneelingLow: Below knees; on floor

LevelsHigh

Medium

Low

DirectionsUsing different directions makes

choreography more interesting and helps convey ideas.

5 directions:ForwardBackwardSidewaysUp Down

Stage DirectionsNot technically part of Laban’s Aspects, but

important for a performer to understand.Upstage: portion of the stage furthest from the

audienceDownstage: portion of the stage closest to the

audienceStage Right: portion of the stage to the dancer’s

right (if facing audience)Stage Left: portion of the stage to the dancer’s

left (if facing audience)Center Stage: portion of the stage in the middle

Stage from above

PathwaysPathways are used to make the dance more

interesting and, in combination with levels & directions, can help convey ideas/emotions.

3 pathways:CurvedStraightZigzag

DYNAMICS ASPECTDefinition: How the body moves; qualities of

movementIncludes elements of weight, time, and spaceUsed to make movement more interesting

and make ideas clear

Weight qualitiesLight movements: take very little effort from

the muscles; use little powerExample: gently lifting the arm as if it is

floatingStrong movements: take a lot of effort from

the muscles; use a lot of powerExample: punching or kicking like in

kickboxing

Time qualitiesSudden movements: Are unexpected, jerky,

disconnectedExamples: a jump, a kick, a punch, a twitch

Sustained movements: Are smooth, connected, flowyExamples: port de bras, continually moving

the arms in circles

Space qualitiesDirect movements: Take up little space; go

directly to the pointExamples: walking straight forward, punching

the arm straight outIndirect movements: Take up a lot of space;

wander around before getting to the pointExamples: walking in curvy pathways, rond de

jambe

Dream State QualitiesThese are combinations of the individual qualities; no

movement is only ONE quality so the Dream States describe what happens when they work together

8 Dream States:Thrust: Strong, Sudden, DirectSlash: Strong, Sudden, IndirectPress: Strong, Sustained, DirectWring: Strong, Sustained, IndirectDab: Light, Sudden, DirectFlick: Light, Sudden, IndirectGlide: Light, Sustained, DirectFloat: Light, Sustained, Indirect

RELATIONSHIP ASPECTDefinition: With whom or what the body

movesIncludes elements of working with partners,

groups, and props

Working with peopleLeading/Following: moving in unison, one person

leads while others copy his or her movements exactly

Mirroring: partners face each other; while one moves, the other “reflects” his/her movements as if looking in a mirror

Contrasting: a shape or movement that is completely opposite/different from another; example is square vs. circle or light vs. strong

Complementary: a shape or movement that is similar but not exactly the same as another; example is 2 different types of light movements

Working with people (cont.)Meeting: Bringing people together; towards

each otherParting: Separating; moving people apartWeight support: Completely holding another

person’s weight; the person being held is supporting very little/none of his/her own weight

Counterbalance: Sharing weight between people; dancers are equally responsible for each others’ weight

Working with PropsProps: objects that can be used in a dance;

must be inanimateProps are used to enhance the dance and

may or may not be symbolicExamples: chairs, hats, canes, brooms,

stuffed animals, hoops, ribbons, pictures, fabric, etc….