Laban makes the following points in his discussion of the rhythm of effort and recovery.
Effort is the active exercise of any power or faculty. Yet exertion need not be vigorous or laborious (a.k.a. comprised of fighting qualities); it can take a calm and almost strainless form (a.k.a. comprised of indulging qualities).
Recovery is the restoration of health. Recuperation does not imply absence of effort or a simple-minded use of only indulging qualities. As Laban points out, “many actions in sports of a fighting character can serve recovery.”
For Laban, “recovery is to be found in the exercise of rhythmic functions trying to balance one another.” Thus the rhythm of effort and recovery depends upon an ordered alternation of contrasting elements. At the most basic level, this is an ordered alternation of fighting and indulging effort qualities, one that penetrates work and sleep.
Yet between working and sleeping, Laban also interjects phases of consciously playful leisure time activities and unconscious dreaming. Find out how these phases also serve recovery in the next blog.