ABSTRACT
Our spines provide central support for our bodies. Thus, the spine of Fundamentals will be the principles, or fundamental truths, which provide central support for the system. Since these are fundamentals truths, they will be operative whether or not the mover is aware of them. The principles of Irmgard Bartenieff Fundamentals include: total body connectivity; breath support; a ground for being and moving; developmental progression; intent organizing the neuromuscular system; and movement being multifaceted. These principles are interrelated and the point of delineation of one from another may seem fuzzy. This is inherent in dealing with fundamental truths. Laban taught that stability and mobility alternate ceaselessly. Because human beings frequently seem to have trouble finding an easy verticality (what our parents might have thought of as “beautiful posture”), it is important to mention here that Fundamentals’ approach to alignment is dynamic, not static.
