ABSTRACT
Flexion in the body can occur in different ways, and movements that appear similar may in fact be based on different principles or concepts. 'Flexion' is used here as a general term to cover the different possible forms. In everyday parlance the terms 'flexing' and 'bending' are often interchangeable. In Labanotation, however, the word 'bending' is applied to one of the sub-forms, that which is more specifically called 'folding' or 'curving.' (Note: only examples that are generally met will be presented here; greater detail will be given in the Advanced Labanotation book Body Variations.)
ANALYSIS OF BENDING, FOLDING, CURVING The general term 'bending,' according to the dictionary,* means: "to be moved out of a straight line or away from a given line, to crook, to be curved." When a limb is bent at a joint, its free end moves on a curved path away from the original line of direction and toward the base of the limb, which retains its original direction. When there is one central joint, an angle is produced at that joint between the limb segments. For this form of bending the term 'folding' is used. When there are several joints, as in the spine, bending produces a curve in that part of the body. This action is termed 'curving' or sometimes 'curling' or 'arching', depending on the body part.
