Why did Martha Graham emphasize movement from the pelvis and back?

Martha Graham emphasized movement originating from the pelvis and back as a foundational element of her technique to express the "inner man" and explore the spiritual and emotional essence of human beings. By centering her choreography on the torso and pelvis, she moved away from the decorative, graceful displays of classical ballet to evoke a visceral, intense response in the audience.12

Her signature movements—characterized by spirals, arches, and curves—were rooted in the principle of "contraction and release," which centered on the dancer’s pelvis. These forceful, angular contractions were designed to express intensely felt human emotions, such as passion, frustration, and hidden fears, rather than merely providing aesthetic pleasure. By utilizing the body's core in this way, Graham created a dance vocabulary that could convey the struggle of the human spirit and the complexities of the inner emotional life.132