Certified Movement Analyst (CMA) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which of the following best describes the LMA concept of 'Phrase'?

A fixed sequence of prescribed dance steps
A unit of movement with a beginning, middle, and end (Correct answer)
A single isolated movement of one body part
The overall theme of a choreographic work

Correct answer: A unit of movement with a beginning, middle, and end

A movement phrase is a unit of movement with recognizable initiation, development, and conclusion, analogous to a sentence in language.

Question 2: In Laban's spatial theory, 'deflection' means:

Changing effort quality during movement
Moving away from the kinesphere entirely
A slight deviation from a pure spatial direction toward an adjacent one (Correct answer)
Moving only in one plane

Correct answer: A slight deviation from a pure spatial direction toward an adjacent one

Deflection is a slight swerving from a pure dimensional or diagonal direction toward a neighboring spatial point, creating oblique paths.

Question 3: How should a movement analyst handle conflicts of interest?

Disclose immediately (Correct answer)
Ignore them
Discuss with clients only after services
Prioritize personal benefit

Correct answer: Disclose immediately

Conflicts of interest arise when a professional's personal interests could improperly influence their professional judgment or actions. For a movement analyst, it is an ethical imperative to disclose any potential conflict immediately to the client. This transparency allows the client to make informed decisions about continuing the professional relationship and helps maintain the integrity and trustworthiness of the analyst.

Question 4: What are the six body connectivity patterns recognized in Laban Movement Analysis and Bartenieff Fundamentals?

Breath, Core-Distal, Head-Tail, Upper-Lower, Body-Half, Cross-Lateral (Correct answer)
Breath, Proximal, Medial, Distal, Sequential, Simultaneous
Breath, Radial, Spinal, Lateral, Diagonal, Rotational
Core-Distal, Horizontal, Vertical, Sagittal, Rotational, Spiral

Correct answer: Breath, Core-Distal, Head-Tail, Upper-Lower, Body-Half, Cross-Lateral

The six body connectivity patterns progress developmentally from Breath through Cross-Lateral integration.

Question 5: How does observing body mechanics assist in movement analysis?

Increase exercise speed
Highlight tension and inefficiency (Correct answer)
Record sound patterns
Focus only on artistic expression

Correct answer: Highlight tension and inefficiency

Observing body mechanics allows a movement analyst to identify areas of tension, compensatory movements, and inefficient patterns that may lead to discomfort or injury. By recognizing these issues, the analyst can pinpoint specific areas where movement could be improved for greater ease, efficiency, and overall well-being. This observation is key for developing effective corrective strategies and enhancing functional movement.

Question 6: Which behavior could breach ethical standards?

Securing private records
Respecting client privacy
Reporting data breaches promptly
Sharing client records without permission (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Sharing client records without permission

Sharing client records without explicit permission is a severe breach of confidentiality and ethical standards. Client records contain highly sensitive personal and health information that must be protected. Unauthorized disclosure undermines trust, violates privacy rights, and can lead to significant legal and professional repercussions for the practitioner.

Question 7: Which phase of a movement phrase typically contains the moment of peak exertion or maximum expression?

Preparation
Transition
Recovery
Attack (Afraction) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Attack (Afraction)

The attack or afraction phase is the accent of a movement phrase where maximum effort or expression is reached.

Question 8: In Shape theory, 'growing' Shape Flow is associated with:

Bound flow and condensed effort
Collapsing inward toward the core
Opening, expanding, or reaching outward from the body's center (Correct answer)
Narrowing and shortening of the body

Correct answer: Opening, expanding, or reaching outward from the body's center

Growing Shape Flow is the outward, expansive change in body shape — opening, widening, lengthening, or bulging away from center.

Question 9: In Shape theory, 'retreating' refers to movement that:

Rises upward in the vertical dimension
Encircles or wraps around an object
Opens outward to the side
Moves the body backward in the sagittal plane, away from the environment (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Moves the body backward in the sagittal plane, away from the environment

Retreating is a sagittal Shape quality in which the body or body part moves backward, withdrawing from the forward-facing environment.

Question 10: Which system helps document observations systematically?

Sign language
Musical notation
Motif Writing (Correct answer)
Acting scripts

Correct answer: Motif Writing

Motif Writing is a simplified notation system derived from Labanotation, specifically designed for documenting movement observations in a clear and systematic way. It uses symbols to represent key movement elements, patterns, and relationships, allowing analysts to record and communicate movement sequences and qualities efficiently. This system provides a concise method for capturing and sharing movement data.

Question 11: Which of the following best describes 'Directional Movement' in Shape theory?

Movement that only uses bound flow
Movement within the sagittal plane only
Movement that changes the overall body shape volumetrically
Movement that creates a spoke-like or arc-like line from the body toward the environment (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Movement that creates a spoke-like or arc-like line from the body toward the environment

Directional Movement creates spoke-like (straight) or arc-like lines that reach from the body toward the environment without shaping around it.

Question 12: In BF, 'yield and push' describes which aspect of movement development?

The alternation of strong and light Effort
The breath cycle of inhale and exhale
The developmental process of giving weight into a surface and then pushing away from it to mobilize (Correct answer)
The relationship between bound and free flow

Correct answer: The developmental process of giving weight into a surface and then pushing away from it to mobilize

Yield and push is a developmental movement function: first yielding weight into a surface (establishing connection), then pushing away from it to mobilize the body.

Question 13: When a supervisee CMA disagrees with a supervisor's ethical judgment about a client case, the appropriate action is to:

Raise the concern respectfully with the supervisor and, if unresolved, consult the organization's ethics resources or a third party (Correct answer)
Immediately report the supervisor to a licensing board without further discussion
Take unilateral action to override the supervisor's decision
Comply silently with the supervisor's decision regardless of personal ethical concern

Correct answer: Raise the concern respectfully with the supervisor and, if unresolved, consult the organization's ethics resources or a third party

Ethical disagreements in supervision should first be addressed directly and respectfully, with escalation to formal channels only when direct dialogue fails.

Question 14: In somatic movement education, 'interoception' refers to:

The kinesthetic sense of another person's movement quality
The movement of attention outward to the environment
The perception of the body's internal physiological state (Correct answer)
The mapping of external space during locomotion

Correct answer: The perception of the body's internal physiological state

Interoception is the sense of the body's internal state — including organ sensations, heart rate, hunger, and visceral feelings — increasingly recognized as central to somatic practices.

Question 15: What is emphasized during somatic education sessions?

Self-exploration and inner awareness (Correct answer)
Speed running
Powerlifting
External performance evaluation

Correct answer: Self-exploration and inner awareness

During somatic education sessions, the primary emphasis is on self-exploration and cultivating inner awareness. Participants are guided to pay close attention to their internal bodily sensations, movements, and feelings, rather than focusing on external performance metrics or comparisons. This internal focus empowers individuals to discover and modify their own movement patterns, fostering greater comfort, efficiency, and self-understanding.

Question 16: What is a critical component of client confidentiality?

Only sharing with authorized personnel (Correct answer)
Sharing on social media
Posting anonymously
Recording without permission

Correct answer: Only sharing with authorized personnel

Client confidentiality is a cornerstone of ethical practice, protecting sensitive personal and professional information shared during movement analysis. A critical component is ensuring that client data, session details, and any private communications are only disclosed to individuals explicitly authorized to access them. This strict control safeguards client privacy, builds trust, and complies with professional and legal obligations.

Question 17: In Laban Movement Analysis, the four Effort motion factors are:

Force, Direction, Rhythm, Shape
Weight, Space, Time, Flow (Correct answer)
Gravity, Symmetry, Tempo, Breath
Strength, Speed, Tension, Pathway

Correct answer: Weight, Space, Time, Flow

The four Effort motion factors are Weight (strong/light), Space (direct/indirect), Time (sudden/sustained), and Flow (bound/free).

Question 18: The 'Passion Drive' in Effort theory omits which motion factor?

Weight
Space (Correct answer)
Flow
Time

Correct answer: Space

The Passion Drive combines Weight, Time, and Flow while omitting Space, giving it an intense, emotionally driven quality without spatial focus.

Question 19: The 'Action Drive' in Effort theory is unique because it:

Emphasizes emotional expression over function
Combines all four Effort factors
Only uses Space and Time
Omits Flow, making it the most functionally action-oriented drive (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Omits Flow, making it the most functionally action-oriented drive

The Action Drive omits Flow and combines Weight, Space, and Time, producing the eight basic effort actions used for functional task completion.

Question 20: How should ethical complaints be handled?

Discuss on social media
Follow official grievance procedures (Correct answer)
Blame the client
Ignore them

Correct answer: Follow official grievance procedures

Handling ethical complaints appropriately is crucial for maintaining professional accountability and trust within any field. Instead of ignoring or improperly discussing them, professionals must follow established official grievance procedures. This ensures a fair, impartial, and structured process for investigating and resolving complaints, protecting both the client and the professional's integrity.

Question 21: Which body position best maintains good alignment?

Forward-leaning stance
Slouched posture
Exaggerated arch in back
Neutral spine and relaxed shoulders (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Neutral spine and relaxed shoulders

Maintaining a neutral spine, where the natural curves of the back are preserved, along with relaxed shoulders, is crucial for good body alignment. This position minimizes stress on joints and muscles, promotes efficient movement, and reduces the risk of injury. It allows the body to function optimally without unnecessary tension or compression, supporting overall musculoskeletal health.

Question 22: Which developmental movement pattern involves the body folding and unfolding around a transverse axis?

Contralateral
Spinal (Correct answer)
Homologous
Homolateral

Correct answer: Spinal

Spinal patterning involves the body flexing and extending around its longitudinal or transverse axes, like a worm or snake undulating.

Question 23: Which combination of Effort qualities produces the 'basic action' called 'punch'?

Strong, Direct, Sudden (Correct answer)
Light, Direct, Sustained
Strong, Indirect, Sudden
Light, Indirect, Sustained

Correct answer: Strong, Direct, Sudden

Punch is one of Laban's eight basic effort actions, combining Strong Weight, Direct Space, and Sudden Time.

Question 24: Which category of LMA analyzes movement dynamics like flow and weight?

Effort (Correct answer)
Shape
Body
Space

Correct answer: Effort

The Effort category in Laban Movement Analysis specifically addresses the dynamic qualities of movement, focusing on the inner intention and expressive aspects of *how* a movement is performed. It includes factors such as Weight (strong/light), Flow (bound/free), Time (sudden/sustained), and Space (direct/indirect). These factors describe the qualitative characteristics of movement dynamics, revealing the mover's inner attitude.

Question 25: In choreology, what does 'kinesphere' refer to?

The floor pattern of a dance
The emotional quality of movement
The rhythm of locomotion
The space immediately surrounding the body within reach (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The space immediately surrounding the body within reach

The kinesphere is the personal space bubble immediately surrounding the body—the reach space available without changing the base of support.

Question 26: Which of Rudolf Laban's concepts organizes the harmonic relationships between spatial scales and movement progressions?

Effort graph
Eukinetics
Shape Flow
Choreutics (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Choreutics

Choreutics (Space Harmony) is Laban's study of the spatial forms and harmonious relationships of movement scales and paths.

Question 27: What does the Effort category in LMA describe?

Anatomical structure
Body postures
Dynamic qualities like weight and flow (Correct answer)
Emotional states

Correct answer: Dynamic qualities like weight and flow

In Laban Movement Analysis, the Effort category focuses on the dynamic qualities of movement, describing *how* a movement is performed rather than what part of the body moves or where it moves. It encompasses four factors: Weight (strong/light), Space (direct/indirect), Time (sudden/sustained), and Flow (bound/free). These factors reveal the inner intention and expressive qualities of movement.

Question 28: Irmgard Bartenieff integrated Laban's movement theory with which other discipline to develop Bartenieff Fundamentals?

Yoga and Ayurveda
Sports science and biomechanics
Physical therapy and neurodevelopmental principles (Correct answer)
Ballet technique and Pilates

Correct answer: Physical therapy and neurodevelopmental principles

Bartenieff combined Laban's movement analysis with her training and practice in physical therapy and neurodevelopmental approaches.

Question 29: In Bartenieff Fundamentals practice, maintaining professional boundaries with clients most critically involves:

Requiring clients to wear specific clothing to depersonalize the session
Limiting sessions to 30 minutes to reduce intimacy
Ensuring physical touch is only used with explicit client consent and clear therapeutic purpose (Correct answer)
Avoiding all discussion of emotional responses to movement work

Correct answer: Ensuring physical touch is only used with explicit client consent and clear therapeutic purpose

Because Bartenieff Fundamentals involves physical touch, obtaining explicit consent and maintaining clear therapeutic intent is essential for ethical practice.

Question 30: Which of the following is an example of a 'sagittal' movement in LMA Space Harmony?

Lifting and lowering the shoulders
Reaching forward and pulling back (Correct answer)
Rotating the torso left and right
Swinging the arms side to side

Correct answer: Reaching forward and pulling back

Sagittal movements travel forward and backward along the anterior–posterior axis of the body.

Question 31: A CMA observing a group class notices that one participant's movement transitions lack sequential flow through body segments. Which Bartenieff pattern is likely underdeveloped?

Homologous patterning
Sequential body connectivity (Correct answer)
Spatial intent
Effort phrasing

Correct answer: Sequential body connectivity

Sequential connectivity involves movement rippling through successive body segments in an ordered chain, enabling fluid transitions.

Question 32: In educational settings, a CMA instructor who has a dual relationship with a student (e.g., also their therapist) should:

Ask the student to choose which relationship to maintain
Keep both roles separate by never discussing movement in the therapeutic context
Maintain both relationships as long as they remain transparent
Disclose the dual relationship to the school and manage or terminate one relationship to avoid conflict of interest (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Disclose the dual relationship to the school and manage or terminate one relationship to avoid conflict of interest

Dual relationships create conflicts of interest that can compromise professional judgment; disclosure and management or resolution are ethically required.

Question 33: Which Shape quality describes movement that narrows the body by pulling the arms inward horizontally?

Retreating
Sinking
Enclosing (Correct answer)
Rising

Correct answer: Enclosing

Enclosing is the horizontal shape quality of gathering or narrowing the body inward, like wrapping arms around oneself.

Question 34: Which of the following is NOT one of Laban's eight basic effort actions?

Flick
Bounce (Correct answer)
Wring
Slide

Correct answer: Bounce

The eight basic effort actions are: punch, slash, press, wring, dab, flick, glide, and float — bounce is not among them.

Question 35: The LMA Shape Mode 'Directional' movement is best described as:

Flowing through general space in free pathways
Carving and molding three-dimensional volume in space
Spoke-like or arc-like movement that aims toward or away from a destination (Correct answer)
Growing and shrinking in relation to one's own breathing

Correct answer: Spoke-like or arc-like movement that aims toward or away from a destination

Directional Shape Mode is goal-oriented movement that travels toward or away from a destination in spoke-like (straight) or arc-like (curved) paths.

Question 36: In assessing developmental movement, a CMA notes a child's inability to use carving/shaping. This suggests a deficit in:

Spatial awareness and environmental relationship-building (Correct answer)
Personal body rhythm and breath
Linear reach and retract skills
Effort variation

Correct answer: Spatial awareness and environmental relationship-building

Carving/Shaping is the mode through which movers relate volumetrically to the environment; its absence suggests difficulty forming three-dimensional relationships with space and people.

Question 37: The term 'hollowing' in Shape Flow refers to:

Drawing the front surface of the body inward, away from the environment (Correct answer)
Widening the arms to the side
Lengthening the spine upward
Expanding the front of the body outward

Correct answer: Drawing the front surface of the body inward, away from the environment

Hollowing is the backward/inward movement of the front body surface, creating a concave front — the opposite of bulging.

Question 38: In LMA, 'condensing' refers to:

Moving toward the active, fighting end of an Effort factor (Correct answer)
Reducing the size of movement
Combining two planes simultaneously
Using bound flow exclusively

Correct answer: Moving toward the active, fighting end of an Effort factor

Condensing means moving toward the active or 'fighting' pole of an Effort factor, such as being strong, direct, sudden, or bound.

Question 39: When observing movement patterns over time, what does 'Phrase' refer to in Laban Movement Analysis?

The rhythmic count of musical beats
The effort quality dominant in a sequence
The spatial pathway traced by a limb
A unit of movement with a beginning, middle, and end (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A unit of movement with a beginning, middle, and end

A movement phrase is a meaningful unit of movement that has an arc-like structure: preparation, main action, and recovery.

Question 40: Which action reflects professionalism in client interactions?

Overstepping boundaries
Making personal judgments
Maintaining clear boundaries and respect (Correct answer)
Ignoring client preferences

Correct answer: Maintaining clear boundaries and respect

Professionalism in client interactions is demonstrated by consistently maintaining clear boundaries and showing profound respect. This involves separating personal feelings from professional duties, avoiding dual relationships, and ensuring all communication and actions are appropriate and client-focused. Such conduct builds trust, fosters a safe environment, and ensures the effectiveness of the professional relationship.

Question 41: In Shape theory, 'condensing' Shape Flow refers to:

Moving in the horizontal plane
Using strong effort qualities
Growing outward in all dimensions
Shortening, narrowing, and hollowing — shrinking the body inward (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Shortening, narrowing, and hollowing — shrinking the body inward

Condensing Shape Flow is the inward, shrinking quality — the body narrows, shortens, and hollows, reducing its three-dimensional volume.

Question 42: A CMA applies Flow effort analysis to categorize a client's movement as predominantly 'Bound' and shares this in an interdisciplinary team meeting. The ethical risk in this scenario is:

The Flow category is not recognized by most interdisciplinary teams
Sharing effort analysis in team meetings always violates HIPAA
Team members without LMA training may misinterpret 'Bound' as a negative diagnostic label rather than a neutral movement descriptor (Correct answer)
Using the word 'Bound' which may be trademarked by the Laban Guild

Correct answer: Team members without LMA training may misinterpret 'Bound' as a negative diagnostic label rather than a neutral movement descriptor

LMA terminology can be easily misunderstood by non-practitioners, requiring CMAs to contextualize and translate movement descriptors carefully in interdisciplinary settings.

Question 43: What is a basic tool used for movement observation?

Music theory sheet
Laban Movement Analysis (Correct answer)
Medical diagnosis chart
Dance choreography notes

Correct answer: Laban Movement Analysis

Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) is a widely recognized and comprehensive system specifically designed for observing, describing, and interpreting human movement. It provides a structured framework with categories like Body, Effort, Shape, and Space, enabling analysts to systematically break down and understand the complexities of movement. LMA is a foundational tool for movement analysts across various disciplines.

Question 44: Which phrasing type follows the natural inhale-exhale cycle, creating organic, continuous movement without sharp accents?

Swing phrasing
Impulsive phrasing
Metered phrasing
Breath rhythm phrasing (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Breath rhythm phrasing

Breath rhythm phrasing mirrors the body's most fundamental respiratory cycle, producing continuous, organically flowing movement.

Question 45: Which term describes the LMA observation that movement qualities occur in pairs of opposing polarities?

Motion factors duality
Polarities principle (Correct answer)
Effort gradation
Monochromy

Correct answer: Polarities principle

Each Effort motion factor exists on a continuum between two polar opposites (e.g., Light vs. Strong, Sudden vs. Sustained).

Question 46: Which of the following movements would most exemplify 'carving' or 'shaping'?

Breathing in deeply
Performing a straight-armed punch
Hugging another person, wrapping the arms volumetrically around them (Correct answer)
Pointing a finger at a light switch

Correct answer: Hugging another person, wrapping the arms volumetrically around them

Hugging exemplifies carving/shaping because the arms and body mold three-dimensionally around another person in the environment.

Question 47: 'Bound' Flow in Effort analysis describes movement that is:

Directed toward a specific point in space
Freely streaming without restraint
Controlled, held, or restrained in its release (Correct answer)
Rapid and explosive

Correct answer: Controlled, held, or restrained in its release

Bound Flow is characterized by restraint, control, and resistance to flow, giving movement a held, cautious, or precise quality.

Question 48: What does 'central' spatial pathway mean in Space Harmony?

Movement in the horizontal plane only
Movement that stays in one spot
Movement along the kinesphere's outer edge
Movement that passes through or near the body's center (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Movement that passes through or near the body's center

Central pathways move through or near the center of the body, often crossing the midline or passing close to the core.

Question 49: The BF principle of 'dynamic alignment' means:

The ongoing, active process of organizing the body efficiently during movement (Correct answer)
Static standing in correct posture
Lining up body parts in a vertical plumb line
Holding the spine rigid during exercise

Correct answer: The ongoing, active process of organizing the body efficiently during movement

Dynamic alignment is not a static position but an ongoing process of actively organizing the body for efficient, integrated movement.

Question 50: The concept of 'breath support' in Bartenieff Fundamentals refers to:

The use of audible exhales as a deliberate performance element
How the breath cycle initiates and organizes the quality and expression of movement (Correct answer)
Respiratory therapy applications for movement rehabilitation clients
Techniques for controlling breathing rate during aerobic exercise

Correct answer: How the breath cycle initiates and organizes the quality and expression of movement

Breath support in BF addresses how the natural breath cycle underpins movement initiation, organization, and expressive quality.

Question 51: Which somatic discipline uses guided imagery?

CrossFit
Running drills
Ideokinesis (Correct answer)
Kickboxing

Correct answer: Ideokinesis

Ideokinesis is a somatic discipline that specifically utilizes guided imagery and mental visualization to improve movement patterns, posture, and body alignment. Practitioners imagine specific anatomical movements or sensations, which can subtly influence muscle tone and coordination without direct physical effort. This method leverages the mind-body connection to re-educate the nervous system for more efficient and graceful movement.

Question 52: Free Flow in Effort analysis is associated with movement that:

Cannot easily be stopped once initiated (Correct answer)
Requires deliberate muscular effort to continue
Uses strong weight throughout
Stays bound to one location

Correct answer: Cannot easily be stopped once initiated

Free Flow is characterized by an unrestrained, ongoing quality — the movement has momentum that makes it difficult to stop abruptly.

Question 53: A movement described as 'sudden' refers to which Effort motion factor?

Space
Weight
Time (Correct answer)
Flow

Correct answer: Time

Suddenness is the condensed, urgent quality of the Time Effort factor, contrasting with the lingering quality of sustained.

Question 54: Which Effort motion factor relates to the mover's inner attitude toward space and spatial attention?

Flow
Weight
Space (Correct answer)
Time

Correct answer: Space

The Space Effort factor reflects the mover's inner attitude toward space — whether their attention is channeled directly or meanders indirectly.

Question 55: In LMA, 'simultaneous movement' means:

Bilateral symmetry maintained throughout a phrase
Two movers performing the same movement in unison
All involved body parts act together at the same instant (Correct answer)
Movement that occurs in exact metric time

Correct answer: All involved body parts act together at the same instant

Simultaneous movement occurs when all involved body parts move at the same instant rather than passing successively through each part.

Question 56: In observing Effort, a CMA would identify 'indirect' Space Effort in a mover who:

Uses strong physical force
Moves in a straight line toward a target
Sustains movement over a long time
Meanders, taking a roundabout path and attending to many things at once (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Meanders, taking a roundabout path and attending to many things at once

Indirect Space Effort is seen when a mover's attention is flexible and multi-focused, leading to roundabout, flexible paths rather than straight lines.

Question 57: In Labanotation, the column immediately to the right of the center line typically records movement for:

The right leg (Correct answer)
The right arm
The head
The left leg

Correct answer: The right leg

The column immediately to the right of the center line records the right leg's movement, mirroring the body's layout on the staff.

Question 58: Why is spatial awareness important in movement observation?

To interpret movement in space (Correct answer)
To set furniture layouts
To design spaces
To determine personality traits

Correct answer: To interpret movement in space

Spatial awareness is crucial for a movement analyst to understand how an individual interacts with and navigates their environment. It involves observing the pathways, directions, and dimensions of movement, as well as the relationship of the body to the surrounding space. This helps interpret the intent and impact of movements within a given context, providing a holistic view of spatial engagement.

Question 59: Which LMA category addresses HOW movement is performed in terms of its qualitative dynamics?

Body
Space
Shape
Effort (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Effort

Effort describes the qualitative, inner dynamic qualities of movement across the four motion factors: Weight, Space, Time, and Flow.

Question 60: Labanotation is a system for:

Scoring music for dance accompaniment
Recording human movement in written symbols (Correct answer)
Documenting stage lighting designs
Categorizing personality types by movement

Correct answer: Recording human movement in written symbols

Labanotation is a comprehensive written notation system for recording human movement, developed by Rudolf Laban.

Question 61: An 'Effort drive' in LMA combines how many Effort motion factors?

One
Four
Three (Correct answer)
Two

Correct answer: Three

An Effort drive is a combination of three of the four motion factors, each time omitting one factor which characterizes the drive type.

Question 62: Which Effort state combines Strong Weight and Direct Space qualities?

Awake State (Correct answer)
Near State
Dream State
Remote State

Correct answer: Awake State

The Awake State combines the sensing and thinking motion factors—Weight and Space—in an alert, engaged quality.

Question 63: Which scale in Space Harmony moves through the six points of the dimensional cross?

Diagonal scale
Dimensional scale (Correct answer)
A-scale
B-scale

Correct answer: Dimensional scale

The Dimensional scale moves through the six cardinal points of the three-dimensional cross: high, deep, right, left, forward, and backward.

Question 64: The three dimensions of Shape Flow are:

Up/Down, Side/Side, Forward/Back (Correct answer)
Bound/Free, High/Low, Wide/Narrow
Strong/Light, Direct/Indirect, Sudden/Sustained
Ascending, Descending, Rotating

Correct answer: Up/Down, Side/Side, Forward/Back

Shape Flow changes occur along three dimensions: lengthening/shortening (up/down), widening/narrowing (side/side), and bulging/hollowing (forward/back).

Question 65: The Shape quality of 'spreading' relates to which spatial dimension?

Up/Down (lengthening)
Rotational (twisting)
Forward/Back (bulging)
Side/Side (widening) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Side/Side (widening)

Spreading is the widening or opening sideways — a Shape Flow change in the side-to-side or width dimension of the body.

Question 66: What term describes learning new motor patterns in somatic practice?

Flexibility conditioning
Neuromuscular re-education (Correct answer)
Speed training
Cognitive repetition

Correct answer: Neuromuscular re-education

The term 'neuromuscular re-education' accurately describes the process in somatic practices where individuals learn to establish new, more efficient motor patterns and improve the communication between their brain and muscles. Through mindful movement and sensory awareness, these practices help to reorganize the nervous system's control over the musculoskeletal system. This leads to improved coordination, balance, and a reduction in pain by retraining the body's movement habits.

Question 67: In LMA Shape theory, 'Shape Flow' describes:

The effort quality of a movement phrase
The relationship between two movers
The three-dimensional changing of the body's shape in relation to itself (Correct answer)
The spatial pathway traced by the feet

Correct answer: The three-dimensional changing of the body's shape in relation to itself

Shape Flow describes the body growing and shrinking three-dimensionally in relation to its own center, independent of the environment.

Question 68: The Effort action 'float' combines which three qualities?

Light, Indirect, Sustained (Correct answer)
Strong, Indirect, Sustained
Strong, Direct, Sudden
Light, Direct, Sustained

Correct answer: Light, Indirect, Sustained

Float combines Light Weight, Indirect Space, and Sustained Time, creating a buoyant, dreamy, and wandering quality.

Question 69: The concept of 'Effort rhythm' in LMA refers to:

The patterned sequence and variation of Effort qualities over time (Correct answer)
The spatial pattern traced by the feet
Musical tempo applied to movement
The number of times an action repeats

Correct answer: The patterned sequence and variation of Effort qualities over time

Effort rhythm describes how Effort qualities flow, change, and pattern themselves across time in a mover's ongoing movement sequence.

Question 70: The Space Harmony concept of 'transverse' planes refers to movements that:

Move strictly along the vertical axis
Cut across the body from side to side horizontally
Follow the sagittal midline of the body
Combine two dimensions in a tilted diagonal plane (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Combine two dimensions in a tilted diagonal plane

Transverse movements combine two dimensions at once, creating tilted, oblique planes that rotate around the body's center.

Question 71: In LMA, the four Shape qualities associated with planes are:

Rising/Sinking, Spreading/Enclosing, Advancing/Retreating, Growing/Condensing (Correct answer)
Float/Punch, Glide/Slash, Wring/Dab, Press/Flick
High/Low, Wide/Narrow, Far/Near, Strong/Light
Peripheral/Central, Straight/Curved, Fast/Slow, Open/Closed

Correct answer: Rising/Sinking, Spreading/Enclosing, Advancing/Retreating, Growing/Condensing

The four pairs of planar Shape qualities are Rising/Sinking (vertical), Spreading/Enclosing (horizontal), and Advancing/Retreating (sagittal), plus Growing/Condensing overall.

Question 72: A child repeatedly organizes movement around upper-lower body split, using both arms together and both legs together. Which Body connectivity pattern is dominant?

Homolateral
Contralateral
Core-distal
Homologous (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Homologous

Homologous connectivity involves upper and lower halves of the body moving as unified units, as in jumping or pushing with both hands.

Question 73: Which statement best describes the relationship between Shape and Effort in LMA?

Shape is only relevant to dance and Effort only to therapy
Effort always precedes Shape in any movement phrase
Shape and Effort are always observed simultaneously and never independently
Shape relates to the body's form changes while Effort relates to the dynamic qualities of movement (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Shape relates to the body's form changes while Effort relates to the dynamic qualities of movement

Shape describes how the body's form changes in space, while Effort describes the inner dynamic qualities — they are distinct but interrelated LMA categories.

Question 74: In LMA, which Effort quality describes movement that proceeds along a clear, predetermined path in space?

Direct (Correct answer)
Indirect
Strong
Sustained

Correct answer: Direct

Direct Space Effort means movement follows a single, focused line or trajectory in space.

Question 75: The 'Spell Drive' in Effort theory combines:

Space, Time, Flow (omits Weight) (Correct answer)
Space, Weight, Flow (omits Time)
Space, Weight, Time (omits Flow)
Weight, Time, Flow (omits Space)

Correct answer: Space, Time, Flow (omits Weight)

The Spell Drive combines Space, Time, and Flow while omitting Weight, creating a hypnotic, dream-like, otherworldly quality.

Question 76: A CMA is approached to analyze movement footage from a deceased individual. The ethical considerations include:

No ethical considerations apply since the subject is deceased
Respecting the legacy and potential impact on surviving family members, and seeking appropriate permissions (Correct answer)
Limiting analysis only to Weight effort to minimize interpretive overreach
Publishing the analysis immediately to contribute to historical movement research

Correct answer: Respecting the legacy and potential impact on surviving family members, and seeking appropriate permissions

Ethical responsibilities extend to deceased individuals' legacies and the potential impact of analysis on surviving family members and communities.

Question 77: In LMA, 'Shaping' (also called 'Carving') refers to:

The effort qualities used in movement
Controlling breath during movement
Three-dimensional volumetric shaping of the body in relationship with the environment (Correct answer)
Moving along the sagittal axis only

Correct answer: Three-dimensional volumetric shaping of the body in relationship with the environment

Shaping or Carving is the three-dimensional, sculptural forming of the body around objects, people, or space in the environment.

Question 78: In Bartenieff Fundamentals, the 'Body Half' pattern develops the mover's ability to:

Connect breath to distal movement
Articulate one side of the body independently from the other (Correct answer)
Move the upper and lower body simultaneously
Coordinate eye and head movement with spinal sequences

Correct answer: Articulate one side of the body independently from the other

The Body Half developmental pattern establishes left–right differentiation by activating one side of the body at a time.

Question 79: The 'Motif Notation' (or Motif Writing) differs from full Labanotation in that it:

Records only spatial pathways
Is used exclusively for notation of sport
Captures movement themes and intentions without prescribing full anatomical detail (Correct answer)
Only records Effort qualities

Correct answer: Captures movement themes and intentions without prescribing full anatomical detail

Motif Notation captures the essential movement themes, qualities, and intentions using fewer symbols, allowing more interpretive freedom than full Labanotation.

Question 80: A 'spoke-like' directional movement in Shape theory creates:

A rotational pathway
A straight line from the body toward a point in the environment (Correct answer)
A three-dimensional volumetric enclosure
A curved arc through space

Correct answer: A straight line from the body toward a point in the environment

Spoke-like directional movement creates a straight linear reach, like a spoke on a wheel radiating from the hub to the rim.

Question 81: The term 'phrasing' in LMA refers to:

How verbal language or narration accompanies a mover
The way movements are organized into meaningful sequences with discernible beginnings and endings (Correct answer)
The relationship between a dancer's movement and musical phrasing
The rhythmic notation system used in Labanotation scores

Correct answer: The way movements are organized into meaningful sequences with discernible beginnings and endings

Phrasing in LMA describes how individual movements are organized into coherent units with identifiable structure, analogous to sentences in language.

Question 82: The principle of 'breath support' in Bartenieff Fundamentals refers to:

Breathing only through the nose
The use of the breath cycle to initiate and support movement (Correct answer)
Counting breaths per minute
Holding the breath during exertion

Correct answer: The use of the breath cycle to initiate and support movement

Breath support in BF uses the natural inhale-exhale cycle as the foundation for movement initiation, organization, and release.

Question 83: Which of the following describes 'head-tail' connectivity in developmental movement?

The connection between the skull and the coccyx through the full spine (Correct answer)
Upper-lower body differentiation
The connection between breath and effort
The relationship between the hands and feet

Correct answer: The connection between the skull and the coccyx through the full spine

Head-tail connectivity links the entire spine from the cranium (head) to the coccyx (tail), supporting spinal integration and sequencing.

Question 84: In LMA, 'proximal initiation' means a movement begins at:

The cranium or coccyx endpoints of the spine
The midpoint of a limb such as the elbow or knee
The fingertips, toes, or top of the head
The joint closest to the trunk where the limb attaches (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The joint closest to the trunk where the limb attaches

Proximal initiation begins at the joint nearest the body's core—shoulder or hip—and travels outward toward the distal end.

Question 85: In Bartenieff Fundamentals, 'upper-lower' connectivity refers to:

Breath flow from upper lungs to lower lungs
Effort use in the upper extremities only
The relationship between the head and feet
The differentiated yet coordinated functioning of the upper and lower halves of the body (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The differentiated yet coordinated functioning of the upper and lower halves of the body

Upper-lower connectivity addresses the differentiation and integration of the body above and below the pelvic girdle, supporting complex locomotion and reach.

Question 86: In the context of somatic practices, 'embodiment' is best understood as:

The physical fitness level of the practitioner
Living as and through the body with full subjective awareness, rather than treating the body as an object (Correct answer)
The memorization of codified movement sequences in the body
Achieving anatomically correct alignment in static posture

Correct answer: Living as and through the body with full subjective awareness, rather than treating the body as an object

Embodiment in somatic discourse refers to the experiential, first-person, subjective inhabiting of the body as a living subject — contrasted with treating the body as an external object to be corrected.

Question 87: What does a 'hold sign' in Labanotation indicate?

A jump or elevation
The body part remains still in its current position (Correct answer)
Breath support is required
An increase in Effort intensity

Correct answer: The body part remains still in its current position

A hold sign in Labanotation indicates that the body part maintains its current position without moving for the duration indicated.

Question 88: The concept of 'inhibition' in the Alexander Technique means:

Restricting range of motion to avoid injury
Inhibiting the stretch reflex through passive stretching
Suppressing emotional expression during movement
Pausing to prevent habitual reactive responses before acting (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Pausing to prevent habitual reactive responses before acting

In AT, inhibition is the conscious pause between stimulus and response that allows the practitioner to choose a new, non-habitual action rather than reacting automatically.

Question 89: A CMA is hired to analyze the movement style of a public figure using only publicly available video footage. Which ethical consideration is MOST relevant?

The analysis should only focus on Space effort to remain neutral
Public figures have no expectation of professional ethical consideration
The practitioner should consider whether the analysis could harm the individual's reputation (Correct answer)
The practitioner must obtain a government permit before proceeding

Correct answer: The practitioner should consider whether the analysis could harm the individual's reputation

Even when using public footage, CMAs must consider the potential harm their published analyses could cause to individuals.

Question 90: Why is movement observation important in analysis?

To imitate movements
To limit movement choices
To create dance routines
To identify patterns and functionality (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To identify patterns and functionality

Movement observation is fundamental for a Certified Movement Analyst because it allows them to systematically perceive and interpret how individuals move. By carefully watching, analysts can identify recurring patterns, understand the underlying functionality of movements, and assess their efficiency or potential for dysfunction. This detailed insight forms the basis for effective analysis and intervention strategies.

Question 91: A CMA observes a surgeon making small, controlled, precise incisions. Which Effort quality is most evident?

Bound Flow (Correct answer)
Sustained Time
Free Flow
Indirect Space

Correct answer: Bound Flow

Bound Flow is most evident in surgery because the movements are highly controlled, restrained, and could be stopped at any moment.

Question 92: A CMA using BF principles with a client who lacks core connectivity would most likely address:

Spatial scale practice before body work
The integration of the core with the rest of the body through fundamental movement repatterning (Correct answer)
Only peripheral limb strengthening
Effort variation exercises exclusively

Correct answer: The integration of the core with the rest of the body through fundamental movement repatterning

BF principles address core connectivity through fundamental movement repatterning, linking the body's center to its extremities for integrated movement.

Question 93: In Effort theory, 'indulging' in a motion factor means:

Moving toward the yielding or passive end of the factor's continuum (Correct answer)
Using maximum force in that factor
Avoiding the factor entirely
Combining two motion factors simultaneously

Correct answer: Moving toward the yielding or passive end of the factor's continuum

Indulging means yielding to or going with the passive pole of an Effort factor, such as being light, indirect, sustained, or free.

Question 94: What is the purpose of 'phrasing marks' in Labanotation?

To group movements together as a unified phrase or sequence (Correct answer)
To mark dynamic accents only
To show the spatial level change
To indicate rest between movements

Correct answer: To group movements together as a unified phrase or sequence

Phrasing marks bracket or connect a series of symbols to indicate that they belong together as a single movement phrase.

Question 95: Which Effort factor is most associated with the mover's relationship to gravity and physical force?

Flow
Weight (Correct answer)
Time
Space

Correct answer: Weight

The Weight Effort factor relates to the mover's inner attitude toward gravity and physical impact, ranging from strong to light.

Question 96: In Bartenieff Fundamentals, the 'pelvic lateral shift' exercise primarily trains:

Weight shift and weight-bearing connectivity through the pelvis and hip joints (Correct answer)
Rotational momentum in the arms
Effort dynamics in the lower extremities
Breath support and vocal tone

Correct answer: Weight shift and weight-bearing connectivity through the pelvis and hip joints

The pelvic lateral shift trains weight shift, lateral connectivity, and the relationship between the pelvis, hip joints, and support in locomotion.

Question 97: A CMA observing a dancer whose movement constantly shifts spatial pathways and explores multiple directions simultaneously would likely note which Space Effort quality?

Sustained
Direct
Indirect (Flexible) (Correct answer)
Bound

Correct answer: Indirect (Flexible)

Indirect (Flexible) Space Effort reflects a multi-focused, meandering attention to space rather than a single channeled direction.

Question 98: When an LMA analyst observes body connectivity patterns in a mover, the primary focus is on:

How body parts coordinate, support, or inhibit one another in movement organization (Correct answer)
Which specific muscles are recruited in each movement
The aesthetic quality and artistic merit of the movement sequences
Whether movements conform to standard developmental milestone timelines

Correct answer: How body parts coordinate, support, or inhibit one another in movement organization

LMA body connectivity analysis examines the relational and organizational patterns between body parts, noting coordination, support, restriction, or disconnection.

Question 99: Body-Half (homolateral) connectivity pattern emphasizes the relationship between:

The axial spine from head to tailbone
The arm and leg on the same side of the body (Correct answer)
The upper and lower halves of the body at the waist
Opposite limbs such as right arm and left leg

Correct answer: The arm and leg on the same side of the body

Body-Half connectivity involves ipsilateral coordination—right arm with right leg or left arm with left leg working together.

Question 100: Shape Flow Support refers to:

The way Shape Flow changes underlie and support Effort expression (Correct answer)
The memorization of spatial scales
The floor or surface the body rests on
A technique for supporting injured movers

Correct answer: The way Shape Flow changes underlie and support Effort expression

Shape Flow Support describes how the body's growing/shrinking three-dimensional changes serve as a substrate that supports and facilitates Effort expression.

Question 101: A CMA observes a client whose movement lacks volumetric shaping and relies entirely on spoke-like directionals. A likely implication is:

Highly advanced spatial intelligence
Limited ability to form adaptive, enveloping relationships with people or objects (Correct answer)
Excellent three-dimensional relationship with the environment
Over-reliance on bound flow

Correct answer: Limited ability to form adaptive, enveloping relationships with people or objects

Without volumetric shaping, the mover cannot adapt their body three-dimensionally around others or objects, limiting nuanced environmental interaction.

Question 102: Which Shape mode is most self-referential and least related to the external environment?

Directional Spoke-like
Directional Arc-like
Carving / Shaping
Shape Flow (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Shape Flow

Shape Flow is the most self-referential mode — the body grows and shrinks in relation to its own center rather than in relationship with the environment.

Certified Movement Analyst (CMA)

The CMA certification, awarded by the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies (LIMS), assesses professional competency in Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) across four core domains: Body, Effort, Shape, and Space. Candidates must demonstrate both theoretical knowledge and applied movement observation skills.

100

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120 min

Time Limit

70%

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