ABSTRACT
The psycho-physical exercises devised by Michael Chekhov aim to develop the two powers of concentration and imagination in tandem. The body and the psychology are one thing. The body is developed and trained so that it becomes sensitive to the connection. The body must act as a sponge to absorb psychological values or qualities from the movements. These movements are repeatable and can be used during the rehearsal to anchor key moments of the scene within the body. With the body flexible and soft, absorbent and expressive, we find again the pleasure of movement, and the surety of a physical wisdom our thinking could never achieve. The promise of the technique lies in the idea that the most effective and powerful means at our disposal are intangible. They are present only when the concentration is active.
