The Graham Technique

“My technique is based on breathing. I have based everything that I have done on the pulsation of life, which is, to me, the pulsation of breath. Every time you breathe life in or expel it, it is a release or a contraction. It is that basic to your body. You are born with these two movements and you keep both until you die. But you begin to use them consciously so that they are beneficial to the dance dramatically. You must animate that energy within yourself…”

Blood Memory

Characteristics of Graham Technique:

• Movement is weighted and confined
• Energy is contained
• Cupped Hands
• Contraction and release
• "When it breathes in, it is a release and when it breathes out, it is a contraction." 
• Fall and sustain

The Graham technique is the first codified dance form besides ballet.

The Graham technique has influenced all other styles of modern dance with the ideas of breath, emotional/humanistic qualities, body awareness, and contractions