Laban defined bodily motion as the “flow of weight in time and space.” These four motion factors provide the basic landmarks in the kinesphere.
Each motion factor is colored by the mover’s intention, resulting in contrasting qualities of movement.
Flow, the effort to control movement, can result in binding, the effort to restrain and stop a movement, or freeing, the effort to relax control and let the movement go.
Weight, the effort to apply the right amount of pressure, can result in a strong movement in which forcefulness prevails, or a light motion, in which a delicate touch is used.
Time, the effort to pace movement, can result in speeding up or slowing down an action.
Space, the effort to aim and orient movement, results in either a direct action with a straight trajectory and precise focus, or an indirect movement with a meandering path taking in many foci.
These motion factors combine to produce effort drives. Find out more in the next blog.