3 day introductory training LBMS (Laban Bartenieff Movement System) February 2026

If you'd like to learn more about the Laban Bartenieff Movement System, refresh or deepen your basic knowledge, or are considering taking the EMOVE Institute 's Certificate in LBMS, then this training is definitely for you!

In this short, three-day introductory training, you'll gain a better understanding of your own movement style and be able to use concepts from the system to move more expressively. You'll notice how the LBMS trains your observation skills and helps you expand your movement vocabulary.

The Laban Bartenieff Movement System (LBMS) is a comprehensive system that allows us to observe, describe, and understand the patterns of human movement. LBMS helps you improve your observation, articulation, and choreography skills. It enhances the performance quality of dancers, actors, and other performers and forms a solid foundation for improvisation. You'll also learn to use clear language to discuss movement. The practical experiences are theoretically grounded, but we'll primarily experiment and improvise in movement. We'll start each day by landing comfortably in our bodies and, using the Bartenieff Fundamentals and the Body component of the system, strengthening our connection with ourselves and our bodies. From there, we'll explore all the other components.

LBMS offers an embodied theoretical framework describing the four basic components of movement (and their interrelationships): Body, Effort, Shape, and Space. This rich system allows for the development of a comprehensive movement vocabulary, optimization of movement efficiency, refinement of movement competencies and skills, and enhancement of communication and expressiveness. From this framework and with these movement parameters, one can create, analyze, document, and integrate movement in all its complexity.

"Movement is what is common to all human activities" Rudolf von Laban

This training offers an introduction to the Laban Bartenieff Movement System (LMBS), developed by Rudolf von Laban (1879-1958) and Irmgard Bartenieff (1900-1981), along with their many students and successors. This experiential and theoretical approach to movement focuses on understanding and experiencing the fundamental elements of all our movements. With this system of analysis, Von Laban made a significant contribution to the dance world at the beginning of the last century. Today, however, this system is also applied in other disciplines, such as visual arts, theater, dance therapy, music, sports, anthropology, cultural studies, and more.

This training consists of 20 lessons and is intended for dance therapists, actors, dancers, dance teachers, theater teachers, physiotherapists, musicians,... and anyone interested in movement!

This training is required for admission to the Laban Bartenieff Movement System program at the EMOVE Institute. For more information, please contact Marieke or visit the website .

Accreditation is being requested for the Register of Occupational Therapy.

Language for this training: English or Dutch (depending on participants)

Participant experiences:

This introduction has made me even more aware of my body in space. It's also about how important it is to be able to move my body from different angles. Highly recommended for anyone who works with their body or is curious about how to connect more deeply with it. Marieke's knowledge and expertise, along with her infectiously enthusiastic guidance, made these days a joy.

The training has given me a lot of insight into how my movement reflects my perspective on life. I notice that I'm now more aware of my movements in the present moment and how they change with, among other things, my feelings, the space within myself and around me.

"What a blessing! Thank you, Marieke, for allowing me to experience this new perspective on movement! The training is a tremendous enrichment."

"The introductory training exceeded my expectations. The training had a good balance of practice, theory and discussions. I really liked how the examples from daily life and professional contexts shed light on the various ways the system can support us. I also learned a lot about myself – not just about my movement patterns but about my personality as well. Marieke created a safe environment, which enabled us to open up to each other and form a real group."

Practical information:

Where

On the edge of Maastricht next to the Maas, in a beautiful dance studio of the dance company Sally, in the AINSI building: Lage Kanaaldijk 112-113 6212 NA MAASTRICHT

Times

Thursday: 9.30am to 5.30pm

Friday: 9.30am to 5.30pm

Saturday: 9.30am to 4.30pm

Costs

Take advantage of an early bird discount of €30 until December 19th! Use code LBMSjan2026 on the registration form.

€360 (This amount is exempt from VAT)

Included in the price are:

- Digital handouts about the content

- Coffee and tea, biscuits, etc.

Overnight stays are not included. You can book a hotel/B&B/campsite nearby yourself.

Registration

After completing the registration form, you'll receive an invoice by email. You'll also receive practical information by email. Please note: these emails sometimes end up in your spam folder.