Re: What is Effort, part 1

Re: What is Effort, part 1
Submitted by Susanne Eckel and Michele Minnick - September 22, 2000

Michele:

My feeling and understanding based on all that we learned [in the LIMS Certificate Program] is that although the MOTIVATION for Effort can come from an "inner" need or desire, the IDENTIFICATION of Effort in the scheme of labananalysis comes from the observer, who will make distinctions between Light Weight and Free Flow Effort, for example. As the mover, I can INTEND to work with a certain Effort configuration, but as we all experienced in our exams, we don't always achieve what we set out to do; our inner perceptions of our own movement are not always accurate, according to the definitions of different Effort element, state and drive configurations as we understand them. Then again, as we have also learned from observation and experience, the Observer is not always objective in her perceptions either. No wonder this is a difficult and sometimes confusing issue!

I would love to hear what other people have to say. And please someone do tell us what exactly Laban's idea was about this - did he really articulate it clearly?


Susanne:

I think as well that Effort may exist WITHOUT inner need (???) It seems possible to physically enact an Effortful movement without it coming from any emotional, psychological, "inner" need. - But then, when I try to just "do Light Weight Effort", for example, I realize that it has an effect on my inner state. Perhaps this inner-outer relationship always exists, but it is not always conscious - it could be the result of a particular movement pattern or habit a person has, and not come from an inner INTENTION.


Michele:

I would argue though, that an unconscious inner need is still an inner need, which reflects something about the psychology or emotional life of the person, especially if it is manifested in a noticeable outer way.


Susanne:

Yes, Michele, I agree. Thank you for the conversation.