Like Picasso in painting, Stravinsky in music, or Stanislavski in theatre, Rudolf Laban (1879–1958) has been a seminal influence in contemporary arts.
This is the first major study of Laban's movement theories and practice, exploring the ideas on mastering movement and giving the reader a practical understanding of balance and harmony in the human body – the core of Laban's thinking. John Hodgson looks at the different phases of Laban's life and writings to show that Laban's thoughts about human movement and its mastery and control are the building blocks for a practical understanding of how the human body can create both beauty and purity through movement.
Introduction: Laban's Influence Part One - The Problems in Understanding Laban I The Fields of Laban's Enquiry 2 The Nature of Laban's Thinking and Writing 3 A Language Barrier 4 The Broken Line Part Two - Laban's Ideas in Context 5 Practical Experiences 6 Theoretical Foundations 7 Colleagues and the Exchange of Ideas Part Three-Laban's Documented Ideas 8 The Context and Content of Laban's Main Works in German 9 The Context and Content of Laban's Main Works in English Part Four- Clarifying Laban's Basic Ideas IO The Universal Pattern - Underlying Beliefs 11 The Human Pattern - Fundamental Theory I2 Social Ideas and Related Practice Part Five - Turning Theory into Practice I3 Preparatory Process -Acquiring Preliminary Skills I4 The Body - Its Fitness and Health I5 The Voice - Its Fitness and Health I6 Education, Experience and Expression I7 Lovemaking and Sex I8 Dance I9 Drama 20 Work, Recreation and Worship 21 Therapy
Biography
John Hodgson was Head of the Faculty of Performing Arts at Bretton Hall, University of Leeds. He taught and studied Laban for over twenty-five years and was one of Britain's leading authorities on drama and movement training.
