Irmgard Bartenieff

Who is Irmgard Bartenieff?

Irmgard Bartenieff generated a new vision of possibilities for human movement and movement training. This vision was forged from her various careers as a dancer, choreographer, student of Rudolf Laban, physical therapist, research pioneer in cross-cultural dance analysis and prime mover in the fields of dance therapy. Bartenieff developed her movement exercises and methodology Bartenieff Fundamentals out of her experience as a physical therapist, utilizing Laban’s concepts of dynamism, three-­dimensional movement and mobilization in rehabilitating polio patients in the 1940s.

Bartenieff incorporated Laban's spatial concepts into the mechanical anatomical activity of physical therapy, in order to enhance maximal functioning. In physical therapy, that meant thinking in terms of movement in space, rather than by strengthening muscle groups alone. The introduction of spatial concepts required an awareness of intent on the part of the patient as well, that activated the patient's will and thus connected the patient's independent participation to his or her own recovery. "There is no such thing as pure “physical therapy” or pure “mental” therapy. They are continuously interrelated."

Bartenieff’s presentation of herself was quiet and, according to herself, she didn’t feel comfortable marketing her skills and knowledge. Not until June 1981, a few months before she died, did her name appear in the institute’s title: Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies, a change initiated by the Board of Directors in her honor.