Benesh

Benesh may refer to Benesh Movement Notation, a system for recording human movement and dance, or to the surname itself. The notation was developed in the United Kingdom during the 1950s by Rudolf Benesh and his wife Joan Benesh. It was created to provide a readable, teachable method for documenting choreography for study, performance preservation, and reconstruction.

Description and method: Benesh Movement Notation uses a pair of five-line staves to represent the body's left and right sides. Symbols placed on and between the staves denote limb positions, joint angles, spinal alignment, and movement directions. Additional marks indicate tempo, phrasing, and dynamics. The notation is read from left to right, chronologically, and is designed to be learned from reference manuals and example scores. It is one of several established dance notation systems, used for recording classical and contemporary works and for training dancers and choreographers.

History and use: BMN emerged in the mid-20th century as part of a broader effort to document dance. A dedicated training and dissemination body, the Benesh Institute of Choreology, promoted the system and supported its adoption by theatres, dance schools, and archives worldwide. Since then, BMN has influenced archival practices and remains in use in various institutions, alongside systems such as Labanotation.

Benesh (surname): The name is rare; notable bearers have included individuals involved in the arts and academia.