Editing Laban movement analysis (section)

===Effort===
[[File:Laban-Effort-graph-labeled.jpg|right|thumb|Laban effort graph with effort elements labeled]]
'''Effort''', or what Laban sometimes described as dynamics, is a system for understanding the more subtle characteristics about movement with respect to inner intention. The difference between punching someone in anger and reaching for a glass is slight in terms of body organization – both rely on extension of the arm. The attention to the strength of the movement, the control of the movement and the timing of the movement are very different.

Effort has four subcategories (effort factors), each of which has two opposite polarities (Effort elements).<ref>Laban, Rudolf, and Lawrence, F. C. Effort. (1947). London: MacDonald and Evans.</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Effort Factor !! Effort element <small>(''Fighting'' polarity)</small> !! Effort element <small>(''Indulging'' polarity)</small>
|-
| Space ||     Direct || Indirect (flexible)
|-
| Weight ||    Strong ||      Light
|-
| Time ||  Sudden (quick) ||     Sustained
|-
| Flow ||      Bound ||      Free
|}

Laban named the combination of the first three categories (Space, Weight, and Time) the Effort Actions, or Action Drive. The eight combinations are descriptively named Float, Punch (Thrust), Glide, Slash, Dab, Wring, Flick, and Press. The Action Efforts have been used extensively in some acting schools, including ALRA, Manchester School of Theatre, LIPA and [[London College of Music]]  to train in the ability to change quickly between physical manifestations of emotion.

Flow, on the other hand, is responsible for the continuousness or ongoingness of motions. Without any Flow Effort, movement must be contained in a single initiation and action, which is why there are specific names for the Flow-less Action configurations of Effort. In general it is very difficult to remove Flow from much movement, and so a full analysis of Effort will typically need to go beyond the Effort Actions.

====Combinations of Efforts====

While the individual motion factors of Space, Time, Weight and Flow may be observed, usually they will appear in combinations.
Combinations of 3 Motion Factors are known as drives. The drives are:
* The Action Drive - where Weight, Space and Time are present but Flow is missing
* The Passion Drive - where Weight, Time and Flow are present but Space is missing
* The Spell Drive - where Weight, Space and Flow are present but Time is missing
* The Vision Drive - where Space, Time and Flow are present but Weight is missing

Alongside the drives, combinations of two efforts are known as states. The states are known as:
* Awake - combining Space and Time
* Dreamlike - combining Weight and Flow
* Distant - combining Space and Flow
* Near/Rhythm - combining Time and Weight
* Stabile - combining Space and Weight
* Labile/Mobile - combining Time and Flow

Full effort, where all 4 motion factors are equally expressed, is usually considered to be a rare and usually momentary occurrence.

The states and drives are often discussed as having distinct psychological characteristics.