Organizer #1: Elements of Movement
(from Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Education Curriculum Branch,1995)
The Elements of Movement can be defined as follows:
Body: The "what" of movement. The body produces action, gesture, and shape.
1. whole/partial body action
- using the whole body (e.g., whole body stretch)
- using isolated parts of the body (e.g., gesture)
2. type of movement
- on-the-spot (e.g., curl, stretch, spin); traveling
- basic (e.g., walk, jump, slide, roll)
- combined (e.g., skip-hop, waltz-run/triplet, grapevine)
3. dimension
- small, large, narrow, wide
4. weight transfer
5. balance
- on-balance, off-balance; supported, unsupported
6. shape
- angular, curved, twisted; symmetrical, asymmetrical
Space: The "where" of movement. Movement may take place in one, two, or three dimensions.
1. direction
- forward, backward, sideways, diagonal, up, down
- pathway (e.g., zigzag, curved, spiral, circle, straight)
- focus (e.g., direction body is facing, direction eyes are focusing)
2. level
- high, medium, low (e.g., on floor, kneeling, elevated)
3. plane
4. personal space/general space
- how little, how much; around body, within available space
Time: The "when" of movement. The speed, meters, and rhythms of movement are established over time.
1. tempo
- slow, fast; accelerating, decelerating
2. meter
- uneven, even, simple, complex; pulse, breath
3. rhythm
Dynamics: The "how" of movement. The dynamics of movement give it expressive qualities -- the intended qualities of emphasis, weight, and flow of movement.
1. energy
- strong, light; tension, relaxation
2. flow
- sustained, suspended; lyrical, staccato
Relationship: The "with whom" of movement. Relationship refers to the way partners, groups, body parts, and so on move in relation to one another.
1. grouping
- apart, connected; solo, duet, ensemble; formations
- side-by-side, supported, near/far
2. relationship between/among dancers
3. interactions
- leading, following, mirroring; unison/contrast
- meeting/parting; action/reaction