Basic Effort Actions

Laban’s notions of movement dynamics gained clarity through his efficiency studies of physical labor in British factories during World War II.  He had identified four motion factors – space, time, weight, and flow – earlier.  Observing working actions, however, led to the identification of eight “basic actions” – Floating/Punching, Gliding/Slashing, Dabbing/Wringing, and Flicking/Pressing.

These contrasting compounds of space, time, and weight qualities capture practical actions and interactions with material objects and serve as the foundation of Laban’s effort theories.

While the eight basic actions are obviously physical, Laban’s concept of effort is more inclusive.  He came to believe that “Effort is the common denominator for the various strivings of body and mind.”

This realization links to the contemporary theory of embodied cognition. Find out more in the next blog.