Professional Linage and Influences

Laban was influenced from the many folk dances around Europe when he travel across the continent with his family. To name a few the folk dances of Yugoslavia, Turkey, Germany, and ballroom of Vienna. His early studies in dance began in Paris and he also studied at the prestigious Dartington Hall and later became a ballet master. He also was influenced by his education in all the different fields he studied. This seems to be the reason for his precise way of codifying the analyzation of movement. One of the biggest events that happened in his life was the rise of Hitler. His large group choreography for the 1936 Olympics was taken from him by both Hitler and Goebels. When he was able to flee the country he began to work almost exclusively with Lisa Ullmann. She became the person who taught his classes due to his illness. He continued to share his knowledge through his writing so that it could be passed down for generations.