Movement Patterns, Expression, and Meaning

movement theoryMovement occurs in patterns, and these patterns are both expressive and meaningful.  In 2017, MoveScape Center’s Red Thread offerings focus on the patterned aspects of movement behavior – in everyday activity, in effort, and in space.

Everyday patterns.  The Red Thread journey begins with the Tetra seminar, “Introduction to Movement Pattern Analysis.”  Based on the work of Warren Lamb, this three-day course, scheduled for mid-March in the Denver area, demonstrates how movement patterns reveal individual decision-making processes.   Participants learn how to observe and interpret movement patterns.  Moreover, by having their own profiles made by the instructor, participants emerge with deepened self-knowledge that can be used productively for career development and more effective collaboration with others.

Effort patterns. The Red Thread program continues with the Octa seminar, “Mastering Rudolf Laban’s Mastery of Movement.”  Mastery of Movement is Laban’s most accessible and complete exposition of the movement elements of body and effort. During this six-week correspondence course, offered in April and May, participants read selected parts of Laban’s treatise on movement for the stage.  Each week a set of study questions and movement explorations are provided. When the assignment has been completed, participants receive additional comments designed to elaborate on Laban’s stated aim, that “every sentence is written as an incentive to personal mobility.”

The Red Thread journey culminates in the Ico workshop, “Exploring the Dynamosphere.”  This three-day movement workshop, scheduled for mid-July in the Denver area, provides rich expressive experiences and new perspectives on Rudolf Laban’s effort patterns.   Workshop material includes effort phrasing, effort states and drives, effort modulation, and effort knots.

Space patterns.  In late summer and through the autumn, MoveScape Center will be offering correspondence courses and movement workshops exploring the many spatial patterns of movement that Laban discerned and designed. But this is the subject for future blogs!