Laban/Bartenieff Movement Studies: Contemporary Applications

Learn to observe, teach, and analyze human movement.

The second edition of Laban/Bartenieff Movement Studies: Contemporary Applications offers a framework for understanding movement as it influences our perceptions of ourselves and others. Readers will be guided through the framework so that they learn what movement analysis is, how it works, and how they can use it in their daily lives.

Now updated to include the following:

• Expanded coverage of the foundations of Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis (L/BMA) theory and taxonomy
• New contributed essays from experts in the dance field and beyond
• Further explanation of initiation
• Addition of space harmony
• New appendix providing a brief overview of motif

An essential resource for L/BMA, this text provides a wealth of information about the many applications of movement analysis: developing a fuller range of movement and expression in the moving body, developing choreography, coaching and teaching movement, observing and describing how movement is meaningful, and more.

Organized into three parts, Laban/Bartenieff Movement Studies, Second Edition, takes readers through the history and guiding concepts of L/BMA in part I. In part II, readers explore the four categories of the L/BMA framework--body, effort, shape, and space--as well as phrasing. This section provides an understanding of the elements of movement and focuses on why each element is useful. Part III integrates what was learned in parts I and II into a comprehensive picture of human movement and applies it to daily life in meaningful ways, including new application essays from certified Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysts.

With Laban/Bartenieff Movement Studies, Second Edition, readers will learn to perceive human movement with greater nuance and specificity through observation and interpretation.

Colleen Wahl received her Certified Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analyst (CLMA) certification in 2006 through Integrated Movement Studies (IMS). She is now the director of IMS and has taught many graduate and undergraduate courses in Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis, including at State University of New York at Brockport, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and most recently at Alfred University, where she is a professor of dance.

Wahl holds a master’s degree in fine arts in dance from State University of New York at Brockport, a master’s degree in liberal studies from State University of New York Empire State College, and a bachelor’s degree in dance and arts education from William Smith College. In addition to her certification through IMS, she holds the Master Somatic Movement Educator credential from the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (ISMETA), where she serves on the Leadership Council. Wahl cohosts the podcast Embodied People with Sarah Donohue and also teaches boxing at Alfred University.