Irmgard Bartenieff once observed that Laban’s effort theory and notation enabled his colleagues and students “to study and work with some extremely elusive phenomena in tangible ways.” Dynamic kinetic energies – which Laban called “efforts” – are certainly elusive, changing and disappearing even as they occur.
That is why those who study movement need to invest in an effort bank in two ways.
First, movement experience with the effort elements and compounds is essential. This should be enriched through reflection on the “felt sense” of the states and drives and the images and contexts they bring to mind.
Secondly, finding clear and obvious examples of states and drives also adds to one’s effort treasury.
Invest in your effort bank. Join MoveScape Center’s next exploration of the dynamosphere, “The Transformation Drives,” beginning in July.