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 CONTRACTING Contraction, according to the dictionary,O+ means: "to draw together or nearer, to shorten, narrow." The analysis of contraction on pages 144 and 145 that referred to the arm and leg is applicable to other parts of the body. If a part has several joints rather than one central joint, a contraction results in the part becoming curved rather than angular.
