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Laban Movement Analysis

Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) is a framework which allows theory and practice to describe and analyse human movement. Functional and expressive aspects of movement are observed and notated within practical settings. As a framework it extends across many sectors and disciplines in developing skills for research, teaching, creative activities, psychotherapy and communication.

LMA is relevant for people working in a variety of areas where physical functionality and expressivity is the primary element of the task at hand:

  • the sports coach increasing the speed of his runner
  • the theatre director generating a different performance of Macduff and Macbeth fighting to their death;
  • the professional actor developing new approaches to his character’s role
  • the dancer understanding principles of space and body for training and choreography
  • the CEO recruiting members of his management teams
  • the researcher exploring communication systems in therapy
  • the actor in training understanding his physicality and how that comes across to an audience
  • the masseur understanding how to better use his physical strength in working with patients
  • the therapist being more aware, both diagnostically and therapeutically, of what is going on with a patient

Wherever human movement capacity is a significant element in structuring the activity, exploring the meaning of the non-verbal communication or illuminating the individual working style, LMA can articulate exactly what is needed as well as inspire creative possibilities for the practitioner.