Somatic Work
Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis
Movement has meaning! Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis is a framework and language used for observing, describing, documenting, interpreting and making sense of movement. As human beings, we all have a body language and way of being in the world. LMA is a wonderful way to uncover the hidden language of the body(or not so hidden) and understand it.
LMA is based on the original life long work of Rudolph Laban and is categorized into Body, Effort, Shape and Space. Many others after him have contributed to this framework. Irmgard Bartenieff, being one of the pioneers, was a student of Laban. She extended and developed his system further based on her background as a physical therapist. Her development in the "Body" category is known as Bartenieff Fundamentals.
"BF is an approach to basic body training that deals with patterning connections in the body according to principals of efficient movement functioning within a context which encourages personal expression and full psychophysical involvement". Being that movement is the core of who we are and shapes experiences through pathways in the body, LMA is used successfully in the fields of dance, theatre, rehabilitation, therapy(physical & occupational), athletic training, leadership development and even video game animation.
My Journey
Rising Stars
The Rising Stars program is a dance program for those of all abilities. The only one of its kind, it is part of Owensboro Dance Theatre's Arts Access for All outreach program. Five years ago, Rising Stars began in one school with 12 students. Now it has grown to 116 students weekly in 5 public schools and 5 day facilities. Using Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis and innovative tools, these classes provide the benefit of dance to everyone with measured success. Students have the opportunity to take class twice a week at each location free of charge. There are yearly performance possibilities and an annual summer camp. For more info: www.owensborodancetheatre.org
"As humans, we all want to be fully present, embodied, as we live out lives. We want to communicate who we are and what we stand for in action, so our messages reach to others".
-Peggy Hackney
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Community and social activism is my main focus through the art of movement and I have seen it move mountains. Five years ago, I developed the Rising Stars Program for those with special needs and incorporates dance and Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis. I have found through this program that my students are active participants in the community and the community has an awareness/understanding as well. People are connecting through movement!
The Rising Stars Program uses dance and also helps re-pattern the neuromuscular system for efficient movement functioning. Doing this helps rid the body of old or bad patterns by helping the student move in new ways. Research shows that movement is the inroad to change and connectivity. I have crystalized a teaching technique that works and has results. We all have a unique personal history and movement that embodies it!
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