These exercises are inspired by Laban’s 8 efforts which he used to use with dancers.
1. *Body Isolation Exercise:*
- *Objective:* Enhance body awareness and control.
- *Exercise:* Stand with feet shoulder-width apart. Begin by isolating movements in different body parts. For example, move only your shoulders in a circular motion while keeping the rest of your body still. Progress to isolating hips, head, and limbs. This exercise improves overall body coordination.
2. *Facial Expression Exploration:*
- *Objective:* Develop a range of facial expressions for expressive communication.
- *Exercise:* Sit comfortably and observe your reflection in a mirror. Practice a variety of facial expressions such as happiness, surprise, anger, and sadness. Explore subtle nuances in each emotion. Connect specific emotions to Laban's movement qualities, like a sharp, sudden movement for anger or a flowing, continuous motion for happiness.
3. *Spatial Dynamics with Imaginary Objects:*
- *Objective:* Improve spatial awareness and movement quality.
- *Exercise:* Imagine various objects in the space around you (e.g., a heavy ball, a delicate feather). Move through the space, interacting with these imaginary objects. Use Laban's movement efforts (direct/indirect, strong/light, bound/free) to embody the qualities of interacting with each imaginary object. This exercise enhances movement expressiveness.
4. *Levels and Pathways Exploration:*
- *Objective:* Explore different levels and pathways in movement.
- *Exercise:* Start in a neutral standing position. Experiment with levels by moving from high to low (e.g., standing to crouching) and vice versa. Incorporate different pathways, such as straight, curved, zigzag, and spiral. Connect these movements to emotional states, for instance, using a spiraling pathway for a joyful expression.
5. *Rhythmic Breath and Movement Integration:*
- *Objective:* Connect breath with movement to enhance expressiveness.
- *Exercise:* Begin with slow, deep breaths, focusing on the inhale and exhale. Integrate specific movements with each breath cycle, exploring how the quality of movement can be influenced by breath (e.g., expansive movements on the inhale, contracting movements on the exhale). This exercise enhances the connection between breath, emotion, and movement.
Remember to maintain mindfulness and intentionality throughout these exercises, emphasizing the integration of Laban's movement principles to enrich your solo movement practice.
