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kinesphere

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What is a Kinesphere?

A kinesphere refers to the three-dimensional space around the body within which a person can move their limbs without adjusting their base of support. It's essentially the space that a person can reach or move into while maintaining their balance and stability. This concept is used in dance, physical therapy, and other movement practices to help individuals understand and explore their range of motion.

For our use a kinesphere your personal space, that becomes tangible, when you fill it in with your body movement
the term introduces by Rudolf von Laban

  • architect, paiter, choreographer and dencer
  • who created movement analysis – a method for movement observation and description, used in DMT
From Rudolf von Laban's perspective

From Rudolf von Laban's perspective, the concept of the kinesphere is a fundamental component of his movement analysis framework. Laban developed movement analysis as a comprehensive method for observing, describing, and understanding human movement. Within this framework, the kinesphere plays a crucial role in analyzing spatial dynamics and body organization.

Laban identified four main components of movement: body, effort, shape, and space. The kinesphere falls under the spatial component, which encompasses the space around the body and how it is utilized during movement. In Laban's movement analysis, the kinesphere is not simply a static boundary but a dynamic and malleable space that individuals can shape and manipulate through movement. Laban referred to the kinesphere as the "inner sphere," emphasizing its centrality to understanding movement dynamics.

  • Here's how Laban's perspective would expand on the concept of the kinesphere:
    1. Inner Sphere Concept: Laban conceptualized the kinesphere as an "inner sphere" surrounding the body, representing the space that an individual can actively and consciously inhabit through movement.
    2. Levels of Expansion: Laban described different levels of expansion within the kinesphere, ranging from personal space close to the body to far-reaching spatial extensions. These levels of expansion corresponded to different movement qualities and intentions.
    3. Effort and Shape Dynamics: Within Laban's framework, the kinesphere interacts closely with the components of effort and shape. Movement qualities such as weight, time, flow, and space are expressed within the kinesphere, influencing the shape and dynamics of movement.
    4. Spatial Awareness: Laban emphasized the importance of developing spatial awareness within the kinesphere to enhance movement efficiency, expressiveness, and communication. Practitioners of Laban's movement analysis engage in exercises and explorations to deepen their understanding of the kinesphere and its relationship to movement dynamics.
    5. Application in Dance and Movement Practices: Laban's concepts of the kinesphere are applied in various fields, including dance, theater, physical therapy, and somatic practices. Dancers use kinesphere awareness to expand their movement vocabulary, improve spatial awareness, and create expressive choreography.
    6. Observation and Description: Movement analysts use the concept of the kinesphere as a lens for observing and describing movement. By analyzing how individuals navigate and inhabit their kinesphere, practitioners gain insights into movement patterns, preferences, and qualities.
    Overall, from Laban's perspective, the kinesphere is not only a physical space but a dynamic and expressive realm that reflects the intricacies of human movement and intention. Understanding and harnessing the kinesphere is essential for practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding of movement and its potential for expression and communication.