Rudolph Laban for Dummies

Rudolf Laban was a very important person in the world of dance and movement. He was a dancer, choreographer, and movement theorist, which means he studied how the human body moves and dances. He developed a way of analyzing and understanding movement called Laban Movement Analysis (LMA). This can help us understand different ways people move, express themselves, and communicate through their bodies.

So, imagine you are watching a dance performance. There are dancers on stage who are moving their bodies in different ways - jumping, spinning, twirling, and making shapes with their arms and legs. Rudolf Laban's theory helps us appreciate and understand why each dancer moves in a unique and special way. It's like having a special key that unlocks the secrets of movement.

Laban Movement Analysis has different components that help us understand movement in different ways. One component is called Body, which means paying attention to how each part of our body moves and the different shapes it can make. Another component is called Effort, which looks at how we use our energy and the quality of our movements - are they strong or gentle, fast or slow? Then there is Space, which means considering how we move in relation to the space around us. And finally, there is Shape, which focuses on the shapes we create with our bodies as we move.

Think about it like this: imagine someone asking you to draw a picture of a tree. You would have to think about what the tree looks like - its shape, how the branches are positioned, and so on. Similarly, Laban Movement Analysis helps us understand and describe the shape and form of movement, just like you would describe the shape of a tree.

Rudolf Laban was an amazing person who dedicated his life to studying and understanding movement. His work has had a big impact on the world of dance and has helped dancers and choreographers create beautiful performances. So, when we talk about "Rudolf Laban," we are referring to this influential figure who developed Laban Movement Analysis and helped us better understand the power and beauty of movement.