Graham Technique
Also known as: Martha Graham technique
History & Cultural Context
Developed by Martha Graham from the founding of her company in 1926, Graham technique organizes movement around the opposition of contraction and release and the principle that movement originates in the torso and breath rather than the feet. Its grounded, angular, emotionally charged vocabulary had a revolutionary effect on modern dance and remains a hallmark training method of contemporary concert dance.
Cultural Significance
Graham's company is among the oldest in the United States and trained generations of dancers and choreographers.
Characteristic Movement & Technique
Contraction and release through the pelvis and spine; spiral; floorwork; movement driven from breath and torso.
Signature Figures
- Martha Graham
- Louis Horst
Notable Codifiers
- Martha Graham
Track Your Graham Technique Progress
Practice Graham Technique figures between lessons with Figure Focus — step-by-step breakdowns, floor diagrams, and progress tracking. Free to use.
Sources & Further Reading
Cultural & Historical Context
Graham Technique emerged from United States during the 1926s—present day. Understanding the cultural roots, musical traditions, and social circumstances of this era enriches appreciation for the dance's characteristics and significance.
Formative Influences
Codifiers & Standardizers:
Martha Graham
Signature Movement Vocabulary:
Martha Graham, Louis Horst
Primary Source Documents
The Library of Dance contains public-domain primary sources for dance history. Copyrighted modern syllabi are indexed with purchase links to their respective copyright owners. Search by dance name or codifier to discover primary source documents.
Last reviewed: June 2026 — This dance profile synthesizes historical research, cultural documentation, and contemporary practice knowledge to provide authoritative context.
Related Dances
More in Contemporary Dance
Cunningham Technique
Merce Cunningham's postmodern technique emphasizing clarity of spine and legs, multidirectional use of space, chance procedures, and the independence of dance from music.
Limón Technique
José Limón's technique, extending Doris Humphrey's 'fall and recovery,' centered on weight, gravity, breath, and the momentum of falling, rebounding, and suspension.
Release Technique
A family of postmodern training approaches that minimize unnecessary muscular effort, using breath, imagery, and skeletal alignment to move efficiently and fluidly; often paired with contact improvisation.
Forsythe Improvisation Technologies
William Forsythe's contemporary-ballet approach from the 1980s, extending and deconstructing classical line through work on lines, angles, points, and the full range of motion.