Certified Movement Analyst (CMA) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: In somatic re-education, 'sensory-motor amnesia' (a term coined by Thomas Hanna) describes:

Reduced skin sensitivity due to scar tissue formation
Chronically contracted muscles that the nervous system has lost the ability to relax voluntarily (Correct answer)
Inability to form new movement memories after stroke
Loss of proprioceptive feedback following peripheral nerve damage

Correct answer: Chronically contracted muscles that the nervous system has lost the ability to relax voluntarily

Hanna's sensory-motor amnesia describes muscles locked in habitual contraction patterns that the person can no longer consciously feel or release, corrected through Hanna Somatics.

Question 2: 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 rhythmic notation system used in Labanotation scores
The relationship between a dancer's movement and musical phrasing

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

Emphasizes emotional expression over function
Only uses Space and Time
Combines all four Effort factors
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 4: In LMA, 'simultaneous movement' means:

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

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 5: In LMA Shape observation, 'Spoke-like' directional movements are best characterized by which description?

Movement that projects outward along a straight line from the body center (Correct answer)
Curved arcs that trace the body's contour
Self-contained shrinking and growing
Three-dimensional carving through space

Correct answer: Movement that projects outward along a straight line from the body center

Spoke-like (Arc-like being the contrasting form) directional movement goes straight out from the center like a spoke of a wheel.

Question 6: What does pattern observation allow in therapy settings?

Prescribe generic exercises
Tailor interventions to tendencies (Correct answer)
Ignore habitual movements
Focus only on physical strength

Correct answer: Tailor interventions to tendencies

In therapy settings, observing and recognizing movement patterns allows a movement analyst to identify an individual's specific habitual movements, compensatory strategies, or areas of restriction. This detailed understanding enables the therapist to tailor interventions precisely to the client's unique tendencies and needs. Personalized interventions are more effective in addressing underlying issues and promoting healthier movement.

Question 7: Why is continued education important for professionals?

For financial gain
To stay current and uphold ethics (Correct answer)
To replace older methods quickly
To compete with colleagues

Correct answer: To stay current and uphold ethics

Continued education is essential for professionals to remain competent and relevant in their evolving fields. It ensures they stay current with the latest research, techniques, and best practices, allowing them to provide the highest quality of service. This ongoing learning also reinforces ethical practice by ensuring professionals apply up-to-date, evidence-based methods responsibly and effectively.

Question 8: What does a 'hold sign' in Labanotation indicate?

The body part remains still in its current position (Correct answer)
A jump or elevation
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 9: In somatic movement education, 'interoception' refers to:

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

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 10: The 'body key' in Labanotation is used to:

Specify which body part performs a movement when it is not the default (Correct answer)
Mark the tempo of the piece
Indicate the floor level
Identify the key signature of the musical accompaniment

Correct answer: Specify which body part performs a movement when it is not the default

Body keys clarify which specific body part performs a movement when the context does not make it clear from the staff column alone.

Question 11: In Body organization, 'breath support' in LMA primarily relates to which developmental pattern?

Cross-lateral
Cellular (Correct answer)
Homologous
Spinal

Correct answer: Cellular

Cellular breath support is the earliest developmental pattern, rooted in the basic cellular pulsation of inhale and exhale.

Question 12: In Laban Movement Analysis, the four Effort motion factors are:

Weight, Space, Time, Flow (Correct answer)
Force, Direction, Rhythm, Shape
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 13: In LMA, 'Shaping' (also called 'Carving') refers to:

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

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

Flow
Space
Weight
Time (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Time

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

Question 15: Which of Rudolf Laban's concepts organizes the harmonic relationships between spatial scales and movement progressions?

Shape Flow
Eukinetics
Choreutics (Correct answer)
Effort graph

Correct answer: Choreutics

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

Question 16: Which Shape quality describes movement that narrows the body by pulling the arms inward horizontally?

Retreating
Enclosing (Correct answer)
Sinking
Rising

Correct answer: Enclosing

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

Question 17: What aspect does 'Space' refer to in LMA?

Environmental navigation and focus (Correct answer)
Pulse rhythm
Emotional expression
Breathing patterns

Correct answer: Environmental navigation and focus

In Laban Movement Analysis, the 'Space' category describes how a mover interacts with and navigates their environment. It encompasses aspects like the pathways taken, the directions of movement, the focus of attention (e.g., direct or indirect), and the relationship of the body to the surrounding space. This category reveals how movement is organized and directed in three-dimensional space, reflecting spatial intent.

Question 18: What is a benefit of somatic movement practices?

Increased workout time
Decreased mindfulness
Higher energy expenditure
Improved posture and reduced tension (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Improved posture and reduced tension

A significant benefit of somatic movement practices is improved posture and reduced tension. By guiding individuals to become more aware of their habitual movement patterns and areas of chronic muscular effort, these practices facilitate the release of unnecessary tension and promote more balanced body organization. This often leads to greater ease in movement, reduced physical discomfort, and a more aligned posture.

Question 19: The LMA Shape Mode 'Directional' movement is best described as:

Flowing through general space in free pathways
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
Carving and molding three-dimensional volume in space

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

Flow
Time
Weight
Space (Correct answer)

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 21: In observing Shape Flow, which quality pair describes the self-referential growing and shrinking of the body shape?

Advancing and Retreating
Rising and Sinking
Spreading and Enclosing
Growing and Shrinking (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Growing and Shrinking

Shape Flow Growing and Shrinking describes the body's self-referential volumetric change, related to breath and comfort-discomfort.

Question 22: In Labanotation, the center vertical line of the staff represents:

The forward direction
The floor level
The body's center (spinal axis) (Correct answer)
The breath rhythm

Correct answer: The body's center (spinal axis)

The center line of the Labanotation staff represents the central axis of the body, with columns on each side representing body parts symmetrically.

Question 23: Somatic movement education differs from traditional physical rehabilitation primarily in that it:

Centers the client's subjective sensory experience as the primary agent of change (Correct answer)
Focuses exclusively on isolated muscle strengthening
Requires medical diagnosis before initiating any movement work
Uses evidence-based protocols and measurable outcomes exclusively

Correct answer: Centers the client's subjective sensory experience as the primary agent of change

Somatic education differs from rehabilitation in centering the learner's own internal sensory awareness as the mechanism of change, rather than externally correcting or strengthening the body.

Question 24: What is emphasized during somatic education sessions?

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

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 25: Which of the following Bartenieff Fundamentals exercises directly trains the 'Head–Tail' connectivity pattern?

Spinal push-up or spinal undulation (Correct answer)
Lateral Shift
Pelvic Forward Shift
Arm Circle

Correct answer: Spinal push-up or spinal undulation

Spinal undulations and related exercises develop Head–Tail connectivity by sequencing movement through the entire spine from sacrum to cranium.

Question 26: In assessing developmental movement, a CMA notes a child's inability to use carving/shaping. This suggests a deficit in:

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

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 27: What is a basic tool used for movement observation?

Medical diagnosis chart
Laban Movement Analysis (Correct answer)
Music theory sheet
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 28: The three dimensions of Shape Flow are:

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

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 29: The concept of 'Effort rhythm' in LMA refers to:

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

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 30: The 'Spell Drive' in Effort theory combines:

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

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

High/Low, Wide/Narrow, Far/Near, Strong/Light
Rising/Sinking, Spreading/Enclosing, Advancing/Retreating, Growing/Condensing (Correct answer)
Float/Punch, Glide/Slash, Wring/Dab, Press/Flick
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 32: An 'Effort drive' in LMA combines how many Effort motion factors?

Four
Two
Three (Correct answer)
One

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 33: Which movement initiation source originates at the tips of the limbs and travels inward toward the body's center?

Central initiation
Proximal initiation
Middle initiation
Distal initiation (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Distal initiation

Distal initiation begins at the extremities—hands, feet, or head—and ripples inward toward the body's core.

Question 34: In LMA Body analysis, 'Spatial Intent' refers to:

The directional orientation that organizes a body part's movement path (Correct answer)
The shape made by the whole body in space
The rhythm of breathing in relation to movement
The effort quality of spatial attention

Correct answer: The directional orientation that organizes a body part's movement path

Spatial Intent describes how the mover's intention directs a body part toward a specific location or direction in space.

Question 35: Which of the following is NOT one of Laban's eight basic effort actions?

Wring
Slide
Flick
Bounce (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Bounce

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

Question 36: The icosahedron is important in Laban's Space Harmony because it:

Defines emotional states of movers
Provides the geometric framework for the kinesphere's spatial points (Correct answer)
Measures the effort of locomotion
Categorizes breath patterns

Correct answer: Provides the geometric framework for the kinesphere's spatial points

The icosahedron's 12 vertices map key spatial points within the kinesphere, forming the geometric basis for Laban's spatial scales.

Question 37: A CMA observes a surgeon making small, controlled, precise incisions. Which Effort quality is most evident?

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

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

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

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 39: The Head-Tail body connectivity pattern primarily emphasizes which aspect of movement organization?

The relationship between the upper and lower body halves at the waist
The relationship between the arms and the legs
Cross-body coordination between right and left sides
Connection along the spinal axis from cranium to coccyx (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Connection along the spinal axis from cranium to coccyx

Head-Tail connectivity involves awareness and active use of the spinal/axial connection from the cranium to the coccyx.

Question 40: How does the Body category of LMA differ from the Effort category?

Body applies only to trained performers while Effort applies to all movers
Body is observed externally while Effort is assessed only through self-report
Body focuses on spatial pathways while Effort focuses on timing alone
Body addresses which body parts move and how they are organized; Effort describes movement qualities and dynamics (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Body addresses which body parts move and how they are organized; Effort describes movement qualities and dynamics

The Body category concerns which parts are active and their organizational connectivity, while Effort describes the dynamic qualities—Weight, Space, Time, and Flow—of movement.

Question 41: What does good body mechanics help prevent?

Emotional stress
Muscle growth only
Fatigue
Strain, injury, and inefficiency (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Strain, injury, and inefficiency

Good body mechanics involve using the body in the most efficient and safe way possible during any activity. By maintaining proper posture, alignment, and movement patterns, individuals can significantly reduce the risk of muscle strain, joint injury, and chronic pain. It also enhances overall movement efficiency, conserving energy and improving performance in daily tasks and physical activities.

Question 42: Which Shape mode is most self-referential and least related to the external environment?

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

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.

Question 43: How does observing body mechanics assist in movement analysis?

Record sound patterns
Increase exercise speed
Highlight tension and inefficiency (Correct answer)
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 44: A CMA observer notices a dancer whose trunk consistently narrows and closes toward the midline during transitions. Which Shape category best describes this recurring pattern?

Carving — hollowing
Shape Flow — closing (Correct answer)
Shaping — enclosing
Directional movement — across

Correct answer: Shape Flow — closing

Shape Flow describes self-referential body shape changes such as narrowing/widening or closing/opening relative to the body's own midline.

Question 45: Free Flow in Effort analysis is associated with movement that:

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

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

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

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

The alternation of strong and light Effort
The developmental process of giving weight into a surface and then pushing away from it to mobilize (Correct answer)
The breath cycle of inhale and exhale
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 48: In Shape theory, 'retreating' refers to movement that:

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

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 49: Which aspect of Laban Movement Analysis specifically addresses HOW the mover relates to inner impulse and outer expressivity?

Effort (Correct answer)
Body
Space
Shape

Correct answer: Effort

Effort addresses the qualitative dynamics of movement — the inner attitudes that color how a movement is performed.

Question 50: In the Trager Approach, the quality practitioners cultivate internally before and during a session is called:

Mindfulness
Presence
Hook-up (Correct answer)
Grounding

Correct answer: Hook-up

Milton Trager called the meditative, receptive internal state of the practitioner 'hook-up' — a felt connection to a larger field of energy that informs the quality of touch and movement.

Question 51: 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)
Over-reliance on bound flow
Excellent three-dimensional relationship with the environment

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

Weight
Time
Space (Correct answer)
Flow

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 53: The term 'hollowing' in Shape Flow refers to:

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

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 54: In Shape theory, 'growing' Shape Flow is associated with:

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

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 55: A CMA observing a negotiation meeting notes that one participant's gestures frequently cross the body midline into the opposite half-space. Which spatial pattern is being described?

Contralateral cross-lateral reaching into opposite half-space (Correct answer)
Sagittal advancing gesture
Homolateral same-side movement
Vertical plane side-by-side reaching

Correct answer: Contralateral cross-lateral reaching into opposite half-space

Contralateral or cross-lateral movement crosses the body midline, connecting opposite halves and often signaling engagement and integration.

Question 56: In LMA, 'condensing' refers to:

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

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 57: 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 58: Shape Flow Support refers to:

The floor or surface the body rests on
The way Shape Flow changes underlie and support Effort expression (Correct answer)
The memorization of spatial scales
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 59: The LMA Effort quality 'Free Flow' is best described as movement that is:

Bound and controlled, with ongoing readiness to stop
Ongoing and difficult to stop midway (Correct answer)
Quick and percussive in its timing
Heavy and grounded in its weight quality

Correct answer: Ongoing and difficult to stop midway

Free Flow is the indulging Flow quality—movement that continues with ease and is hard to arrest once initiated.

Question 60: Which of the following best describes 'Directional Movement' in Shape theory?

Movement that only uses bound flow
Movement that changes the overall body shape volumetrically
Movement within the sagittal plane only
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 61: The concept of 'breath support' in Bartenieff Fundamentals refers to:

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

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 62: In Laban Movement Analysis, the concept of 'effort observation' raises ethical concerns primarily because:

Space Harmony calculations are proprietary and copyrighted
Movement observations can be misused to make psychological inferences beyond what the data supports (Correct answer)
Effort qualities are too complex to observe accurately
Clients are legally permitted to refuse all effort assessments

Correct answer: Movement observations can be misused to make psychological inferences beyond what the data supports

Effort observation describes how movement is done but should not be overextended into unwarranted psychological diagnoses or character judgments.

Question 63: In Bartenieff Fundamentals, 'inner-outer' connectivity relates to:

Movement going from the kinesphere inward
The relationship between the body's deep intrinsic muscles and its outer surface or movement expression (Correct answer)
Effort flow from bound to free
The breathing cycle in and out

Correct answer: The relationship between the body's deep intrinsic muscles and its outer surface or movement expression

Inner-outer connectivity addresses the integration of deep intrinsic muscles with the body's outer layers and external movement expression.

Question 64: 'Grounding' in Bartenieff Fundamentals refers to:

Staying immobile during movement observation
Electrical safety procedures for movers
A metaphor for emotional stability
Establishing an active, dynamic relationship with the support surface through the body's weight (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Establishing an active, dynamic relationship with the support surface through the body's weight

Grounding in BF is the active, yielding engagement with the support surface — the body dynamically giving its weight into the ground to gain support.

Question 65: Which of the following describes 'head-tail' connectivity in developmental movement?

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

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 66: The developmental movement pattern called 'homolateral' involves:

Same-side arm and leg working together (Correct answer)
Only the spine moving
Both arms and both legs moving simultaneously
Opposite arm and leg working together

Correct answer: Same-side arm and leg working together

Homolateral movement involves ipsilateral patterning — the arm and leg on the same side of the body working together, as in some reptile movements.

Question 67: The 'contralateral' developmental pattern is important because it:

Keeps both sides of the body moving symmetrically
Focuses on spinal flexion only
Isolates the upper body from the lower body
Integrates cross-body diagonal connections between opposite limbs (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Integrates cross-body diagonal connections between opposite limbs

Contralateral movement integrates opposite arm and leg diagonally across the body's midline, supporting complex locomotion and cross-brain integration.

Question 68: Which behavior could breach ethical standards?

Reporting data breaches promptly
Respecting client privacy
Securing private records
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 69: The Alexander Technique's 'primary control' refers to the dynamic relationship between:

The head, neck, and back (Correct answer)
The pelvis and lumbar spine
The sternum and clavicles
The feet and the center of gravity

Correct answer: The head, neck, and back

F.M. Alexander identified 'primary control' as the dynamic relationship of the head, neck, and back, which organizes overall coordination and postural tone.

Question 70: In Labanotation, direction symbols are read with their shading to indicate:

The relationship to another dancer
The spatial level: high, middle, or low (Correct answer)
The Effort quality of the movement
The speed of the movement

Correct answer: The spatial level: high, middle, or low

The shading pattern of Labanotation direction symbols indicates the spatial level — white for high, gray/dotted for middle, and black for low.

Question 71: In Laban's Effort system, which motion factor relates to the mover's attitude toward their own body weight?

Space
Flow
Time
Weight (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Weight

The Weight Effort factor reflects the mover's attitude toward gravity, ranging from Light (indulging) to Strong (fighting).

Question 72: In LMA, 'Monolinear' Effort refers to a sequence where:

One Effort quality changes while others remain neutral or absent (Correct answer)
Two Effort qualities change simultaneously
No motion factors are present
All four motion factors are fully engaged

Correct answer: One Effort quality changes while others remain neutral or absent

Monolinear Effort sequences involve one motion factor changing or emerging at a time while others are not actively engaged.

Question 73: Which scale in Space Harmony moves through the six points of the dimensional cross?

Diagonal scale
Dimensional scale (Correct answer)
B-scale
A-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 74: Which Effort factor is most associated with the mover's relationship to gravity and physical force?

Time
Flow
Space
Weight (Correct answer)

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 75: In LMA Shape theory, 'Shape Flow' describes:

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

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 76: 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?

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

Correct answer: Sequential body connectivity

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

Question 77: In Bartenieff Fundamentals, 'upper-lower' connectivity refers to:

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

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 78: 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 79: Which LMA category addresses body part connectivity?

Shape
Space
Effort
Body (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Body

The 'Body' category in Laban Movement Analysis specifically focuses on the structural and anatomical aspects of movement, including how different body parts connect and coordinate. It examines patterns of connectivity (e.g., core-distal, head-tail, upper-lower), sequencing of movement, and the initiation of movement from various body parts. This helps understand the physical organization and integration of movement.

Question 80: In movement observation, what does the term 'Transition' specifically refer to?

The spatial path from Point A to Point B
The peak moment of an action
The movement connecting one posture or phrase to the next (Correct answer)
The pause between movement phrases

Correct answer: The movement connecting one posture or phrase to the next

Transitions are how a mover moves between actions or postures, and they carry significant expressive and patterning information.

Question 81: Which spatial form in Laban's Space Harmony traces paths through all three dimensions simultaneously?

Planar drive
Dimensional cross
Transversal
Diagonal (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Diagonal

Diagonals in Space Harmony move through all three spatial dimensions—high/low, right/left, forward/back—simultaneously.

Question 82: The Effort action 'float' combines which three qualities?

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

Correct answer: Light, Indirect, Sustained

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

Question 83: 'Bound' Flow in Effort analysis describes movement that is:

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

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 84: Why is movement observation important in analysis?

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

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 85: A CMA discovers an error in a previously submitted movement analysis report that could affect a client's treatment. The ethical obligation is to:

Wait to see if the error causes harm before taking action
Inform the relevant parties of the error promptly and provide a corrected report (Correct answer)
Discard the erroneous report and issue a new one without informing the client
Deny the error to protect professional reputation

Correct answer: Inform the relevant parties of the error promptly and provide a corrected report

Professional ethics require prompt disclosure of errors that may affect client welfare, followed by corrective action.

Question 86: Which of the following movements would most exemplify 'carving' or 'shaping'?

Performing a straight-armed punch
Hugging another person, wrapping the arms volumetrically around them (Correct answer)
Breathing in deeply
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 87: Which statement best describes the relationship between Shape and Effort in LMA?

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

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 88: Which of the following is one of the six basic Bartenieff Fundamental exercises?

Plié
Forward roll
Thigh lift (Correct answer)
Arabesque

Correct answer: Thigh lift

The thigh lift is one of the six classic Bartenieff Fundamental exercises, targeting the hip socket and core-distal connectivity.

Question 89: A CMA is approached to analyze movement footage from a deceased individual. The ethical considerations include:

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

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 90: What is a critical component of client confidentiality?

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

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 91: The 'octahedron' in Space Harmony marks which spatial points?

Six dimensional directions (the endpoints of the three axes) (Correct answer)
Twelve icosahedral vertices
The four floor diagonals
Eight diagonal directions

Correct answer: Six dimensional directions (the endpoints of the three axes)

The octahedron's six vertices correspond to the six dimensional endpoints: high, deep, right, left, forward, and backward.

Question 92: A 'spoke-like' directional movement in Shape theory creates:

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

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 93: What is 'Body' in Laban Movement Analysis?

Parts moving and coordination (Correct answer)
Music tempo
Mental focus
Breathing rhythm

Correct answer: Parts moving and coordination

In Laban Movement Analysis, the 'Body' category describes *what* is moving and how the body parts relate to each other. It includes aspects like connectivity (e.g., core-distal, head-tail), sequencing of movement, and the initiation of movement from different body parts. This category helps to understand the structural and anatomical aspects of movement organization and coordination.

Question 94: What term describes learning new motor patterns in somatic practice?

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

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 95: When using Effort qualities in movement observation for clinical or therapeutic purposes, a CMA must ensure that:

Movement profiles are shared freely among all staff without consent
Only the Space effort quality is assessed to avoid bias
Observations are kept entirely subjective and untranscribed
Clients provide informed consent before movement analysis is used in treatment planning (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Clients provide informed consent before movement analysis is used in treatment planning

Informed consent is a foundational ethical requirement when using movement analysis data in clinical or therapeutic decision-making.

Question 96: The Shape Quality 'Sinking' is associated with which directional tendency?

Enclosing the body toward the center
Rising upward away from the ground
Narrowing the body width
Descending toward the earth (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Descending toward the earth

Sinking is a Shape Quality in the vertical dimension reflecting the body's movement downward toward the earth.

Question 97: What are the six body connectivity patterns recognized in Laban Movement Analysis and Bartenieff Fundamentals?

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

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 98: Why is spatial awareness important in movement observation?

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

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

Light, Direct, Sustained
Strong, Indirect, Sudden
Strong, Direct, Sudden (Correct answer)
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 100: Which Effort state combines Strong Weight and Direct Space qualities?

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

Correct answer: Awake State

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

Question 101: In Effort theory, 'indulging' in a motion factor means:

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

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 102: What does the Effort category in LMA describe?

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

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.

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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