The Mastery of Movement

by Rudolf Laban, Lisa Ullmann (Editor)

The Mastery of Movement is a landmark exploration of human motion by Rudolf Laban, one of the most influential figures in the study of movement and performance. Drawing from his work in dance, theatre, and industrial efficiency, Laban presents a comprehensive system for understanding and analyzing physical expression. This book introduces key concepts such as Effort, Space Harmony, and Shape—foundations of what later became known as Laban Movement Analysis (LMA). Through detailed observations and practical insights, Laban demonstrates how movement communicates emotion, intention, and identity, making it a powerful tool in artistic and therapeutic settings. Widely used in the training of dancers, actors, movement therapists, and educators, The Mastery of Movement offers a universal framework for interpreting the dynamics of the human body in motion. Both theoretical and experiential, this classic text continues to inspire professionals across the performing arts, education, and body-based disciplines.

Genres: Nonfiction, Theatre

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Taylor Ellwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an intriguing book which explores how people move and what stories they tell with their movement. While it's primary focus is on the disciplines of dance and theater, I believe any person can learn a lot about movement from this book and come away with an appreciation for how they move. Reading and trying out the suggestions in the book has helped me appreciate the miracle of movement and how to become present with your movement in your life. There's also some interesting ideas about how movement applies to one's awareness of time and space that can be very useful to explore in relationship to how you navigate space and time in your daily life.

[Kenya Stéphanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro al que hay que dedicarle muchas horas y mucho de llevar a cabo todo lo que te enseña.
La manera de comprender el movimiento como lenguaje es sublime, es hasta poético cómo es capaz de transcribir un movimiento en el papel y crear una simbología en base al Espacio, Tiempo, Peso y Fluir de cada uno de ellos.
Es un libro al que volveré mil veces, tremendamente práctico y pleno para todo actor, bailarín y cualquiera que domine el escenario.

🫶🏽

[paola · Rating 5 out of 5]

“O dançarino moderno reivindica o direito de criar invenções pessoais na dança, com base em sequências de evoluções não convencionais de seu corpo. Desta forma, espera realizar uma espécie de invocação mágica ou encantamento dos poderes da vida. Estes poderes ou forças não têm nomes em nosso vocabulário contemporâneo, mas todos os conhecemos quando o encontramos na forma de incontáveis Ímpetos interiores, atitudes, emoções e crenças. O homem atual oculta a experiência desses poderes. Provavelmente, ele sente vergonha ou mesmo medo de tais forças porque não podem ser intelectualmente explicadas.” girl that is IT

[Brendan Behan, MFA · Rating 1 out of 5]

One crucially important matter about this text remains to be noted by reviewers, which is the racism that threads through The Mastery of Movement and that arguably undergirds the foundation of Laban's intellectual enterprise and conception of movement. Starting in chapter four, "The Significance of Movement", race and racist distinctions come to the fore as a defining feature of Laban's analysis of movement typologies.

My full review of The Mastery of Movement is posted on my dance research site.

[Ari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is good for some one who is familiar with the practice of Laban's movement efforts and is looking to further that knowledge for analytical purposes.