ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with the study of tension flow rhythms, its historical background, and the contributions of other researchers. When Rudolf Laban's colleague, Warren Lamb, suggested that the movement tracings Janet Kestenberg Amighi was creating reflected rhythmic patterns of muscle tension change, Kestenberg was intrigued. Tension flow rhythms are created by patterned changes in muscle tension, or alternations between two basic elements of movement, free flow and bound flow. Very simple repetitive rhythms used in jumping, tapping a foot, or chewing can be relatively easily observed, kinesthetically experienced, and recognized in tension flow lines of notation. In tension flow writing, a trained observer kinesthetically attunes to a person being observed and translates that kinesthetic identification into the hand and writing implement to paper or computer tablet screen. Caregivers who use a bottle can foster attunement by adopting a nursing position while they feed the baby, offering concordant tension flow rhythms.
