As Pilates teachers, we continually seek innovative ways to enrich our practice and offer our clients diverse movement experiences. Our latest collaboration with the Keep Fit Association focuses on blending Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) with chair-based Pilates, creating a unique programme that enhances body awareness, expression, and functional movement.
Historical Intersections: Pilates and Laban
While there is no concrete evidence that Joseph Pilates and Rudolf Laban directly collaborated, their philosophies share remarkable parallels. Both emphasised the integration of mind and body, fluidity in movement, and the importance of control and precision.
Pilates developed his method, originally termed Contrology, focusing on core strength and stability. Concurrently, Laban, an Austro-Hungarian dance artist and movement theorist, formulated LMA, a comprehensive system for observing, describing, and notating all forms of movement.
Laban's Influence in the UK
Laban’s impact on movement education in the UK is profound. After relocating to England in 1937, he collaborated with Lisa Ullmann to establish the Art of Movement Studio in Manchester in 1946, which later evolved into the Laban Centre for Movement and Dance.
Their efforts were pivotal in integrating dance and movement into educational curricula, promoting the concept of "dance for all." Laban's methodologies have since become integral to dance education, influencing how movement is taught in schools across the UK.
Our Chair-Based Programme: Merging Pilates with Laban’s Principles
Our new programme aims to fuse the core principles of Pilates with the expressive qualities of LMA, all within the accessible framework of chair-based exercises. This approach allows individuals of varying mobility levels to explore movement in a supportive environment.
Key components of the programme include:
✅ Spatial Awareness – Encouraging participants to understand and utilise space, enhancing proprioception and movement efficiency.
✅ Effort Qualities – Exploring different dynamics such as weight, time, space, and flow to add expressiveness and adaptability to movements.
✅ Shape and Form – Focusing on how the body changes shape during movement, promoting fluid transitions and holistic engagement.
Embracing Creativity with Integrity
As practitioners, it’s essential to recognise when we are venturing beyond traditional Pilates. Having a solid foundation in the original method empowers us to explore and integrate other modalities, whether Laban, Feldenkrais, or yoga, responsibly.
This creative exploration should always be grounded in intention, integrity, and a passion for helping individuals move better, feel better, and live better.
Join Us in This Innovative Journey
We invite you to explore this harmonious blend of Pilates and Laban Movement Analysis. By incorporating these principles into your teaching, you can offer a richer, more nuanced movement experience that caters to a broader range of individuals.
Let’s continue to innovate and inspire, honouring the legacy of these pioneering movement educators while forging new paths in holistic fitness.
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