1. Body, Space, Dynamics, Relationship

2. BODY ASPECT Definition: What is moving Includes elements of shape, types of movement, jumps, gestures

3. Types of shape These are positions of the body 5 basic types: 1. Wide shape 2. Narrow shape 3. Angular shape 4. Twisted shape 5. Curved shape Symmetrical: same/equal on both sides OR Asymmetrical: NOT same/equal on both sides Positive space: filled in space in a shape Negative space: empty space in a shape

4. Shapes Wide Narrow Curved Angular Twisted Symmetrical Asymmetrical

5. Positive & Negative Space Negative Positive Negative

6. Types of movement Locomotor movements travel 8 basic types of locomotor movement Walk Run Skip Hop Jump Gallop/Chassé Leap Slide Non-locomotor movements do NOT travel

7. 5 Types of jumps 1 foot to the same foot (hop) 1 foot to the other foot (leap, run) 2 feet to 2 feet (jump) 1 foot to 2 feet (half of hopscotch) 2 feet to 1 foot (other half of hopscotch)

8. Gestures Rise: elevate slowly Sink: depress slowly Open: abduct; bring body parts away from center Close: adduct; bring body parts in towards center Advance: move forward Retreat: move backward

9. SPACE ASPECT Definition: Where movement is done. Includes elements of: level, direction, pathway

10. Types of Space Personal space: Space directly around your own body; your “bubble”; extends to approximately arms’ length from your body General space: Space out, away from your body; past your fingertips if arms are extended

11. Levels Using levels makes choreography more interesting to perform and watch as well as helping to convey ideas. 3 levels: High: Above shoulders; near ceiling; on tiptoes Medium: Between shoulders & knees; normal standing level or bent down; kneeling Low: Below knees; on floor

12. Levels High Medium Low

13. Directions Using different directions makes choreography more interesting and helps convey ideas. 5 directions: Forward Backward Sideways Up Down

14. Stage Directions Not technically part of Laban’s Aspects, but important for a performer to understand. Upstage: portion of the stage furthest from the audience Downstage: portion of the stage closest to the audience Stage Right: portion of the stage to the dancer’s right (if facing audience) Stage Left: portion of the stage to the dancer’s left (if facing audience) Center Stage: portion of the stage in the middle

15. Stage from above

16. Pathways Pathways are used to make the dance more interesting and, in combination with levels & directions, can help convey ideas/emotions. 3 pathways: Curved Straight Zigzag

17. DYNAMICS ASPECT Definition: How the body moves; qualities of movement Includes elements of weight, time, and space Used to make movement more interesting and make ideas clear

18. Weight qualities Light movements: take very little effort from the muscles; use little power Example: gently lifting the arm as if it is floating Strong movements: take a lot of effort from the muscles; use a lot of power Example: punching or kicking like in kickboxing

19. Time qualities Sudden movements: Are unexpected, jerky, disconnected Examples: a jump, a kick, a punch, a twitch Sustained movements: Are smooth, connected, flowy Examples: port de bras, continually moving the arms in circles

20. Space qualities Direct movements: Take up little space; go directly to the point Examples: walking straight forward, punching the arm straight out Indirect movements: Take up a lot of space; wander around before getting to the point Examples: walking in curvy pathways, rond de jambe

21. Dream State Qualities These are combinations of the individual qualities; no movement is only ONE quality so the Dream States describe what happens when they work together 8 Dream States: Thrust: Strong, Sudden, Direct Slash: Strong, Sudden, Indirect Press: Strong, Sustained, Direct Wring: Strong, Sustained, Indirect Dab: Light, Sudden, Direct Flick: Light, Sudden, Indirect Glide: Light, Sustained, Direct Float: Light, Sustained, Indirect

22. RELATIONSHIP ASPECT Definition: With whom or what the body moves Includes elements of working with partners, groups, and props

23. Working with people Leading/Following: moving in unison, one person leads while others copy his or her movements exactly Mirroring: partners face each other; while one moves, the other “reflects” his/her movements as if looking in a mirror Contrasting: a shape or movement that is completely opposite/different from another; example is square vs. circle or light vs. strong Complementary: a shape or movement that is similar but not exactly the same as another; example is 2 different types of light movements

24. Working with people (cont.) Meeting: Bringing people together; towards each other Parting: Separating; moving people apart Weight support: Completely holding another person’s weight; the person being held is supporting very little/none of his/her own weight Counterbalance: Sharing weight between people; dancers are equally responsible for each others’ weight

25. Working with Props Props: objects that can be used in a dance; must be inanimate Props are used to enhance the dance and may or may not be symbolic Examples: chairs, hats, canes, brooms, stuffed animals, hoops, ribbons, pictures, fabric, etc….