Dynamics

The element of dynamics incorporates both the force exerted during movement and the flow of the movement.

Varying the force and flow of a movement results in dynamics.

The dynamics of movement allows performers to better express the purpose of their performance. By changing the degree of energy applied to a movement and the control of the movement through space, a per- former can achieve or portray the purpose of the performance. For example, a dancer can perform a movement using a high degree of energy to generate a strong force that may communicate the idea of assertiveness. Alternatively, they could use light force in their movements to convey the idea of softness or passiveness.

Force

Force refers to the magnitude or intensity of the energy exerted, expended, or released.

Force is active and is realised in movement. The amount of force used affects the quality of any given movement. Force can be explained as a continuum that ranges from strong to gentle, and can be generated internally by the performer or athlete or as a reaction to something external. In dance, hip hop is a style that is characterised by heavy forceful actions, on the other hand, ballet is characterised by lighter and gentler contact with surrounding surfaces.

The use of varying amounts of force in movement can also communicate messages to an audience. A dancer may use strong, high-energy movements during their performance to convey the idea of anger, power or excitement; whereas movements using less force can communicate passiveness, gentleness or that the dancer is floating. Typically, a choreographer will include a range of movements requiring different amounts of energy expenditure throughout the dance to tell a story.

View the Haka performed by the New Zealand All Blacks. How is force used to convey the underlying meaning of the performance?

Flow

Flow is concerned with the movement of the body or an object through space and time.

Within this element there are three aspects that can describe the movement: continuity, body flow and control.

Continuity refers to the way movements follow from one to another when combining movements in a serial skill. These movements can be performed in either an uninterrupted way, where the movement is flowing without stops or starts, or in an interrupted way, where there are stops and starts. When dance movements are sequenced together in an uninterrupted way they are visually appealing to the audience.

Body flow relates to the way the movement flows through the body while moving. For example, an undulating body wave involves successive flow through the body as one body part starts a movement that is passed onto another adjacent part in a sequential way.

Control deals with the way movement is controlled or not controlled and suggests an effort reflecting flow. It can be seen as a continuum from bound to free.

If at any moment during a movement the body can be stopped, controlled or restrained without difficulty, the flow of the movement is said to be bound. The movement may not necessarily stop altogether, but it may be altered or restrained momentarily.

Free flow occurs when the movement flows in an unhindered manner and it is difficult to stop the movement suddenly. The person moving is generally not attending to any cues and moves automatically through the various parts of the movement action. A performer who is extremely skilled may move with free flow as the skills can be executed automatically.

Dynamics activity

Perform movements using variations in force, flow and speed of movement.

For example:

Walking on the moon compared to walking across a busy road dodging traffic
Drifting aimlessly through outer space compared to hang gliding to a predetermined landing area
The movement of a bee compared to a butterfly
A slow jog in the park compared to fleeing from danger

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