Certified Movement Analyst (CMA) — Questions and Answers

Question 1: 'Core-distal' connectivity in Bartenieff Fundamentals describes:

Isolating the distal limbs from the trunk
Simultaneous activation linking the body's core to its extremities (Correct answer)
The use of only the core muscles without limb involvement
The connection between feet and hands only

Correct answer: Simultaneous activation linking the body's core to its extremities

Core-distal connectivity is the simultaneous, integrated activation linking the body's center (core) with its extremities (distal), like a starfish pattern.

Question 2: The Effort action 'float' combines which three qualities?

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

Correct answer: Light, Indirect, Sustained

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

Question 3: A CMA observes a client whose movement lacks volumetric shaping and relies entirely on spoke-like directionals. A likely implication is:

Limited ability to form adaptive, enveloping relationships with people or objects (Correct answer)
Over-reliance on bound flow
Highly advanced spatial intelligence
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 4: The 'contralateral' developmental pattern is important because it:

Focuses on spinal flexion only
Isolates the upper body from the lower body
Keeps both sides of the body moving symmetrically
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 5: An 'Effort drive' in LMA combines how many Effort motion factors?

Three (Correct answer)
Two
Four
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 6: In LMA Shape theory, 'Shape Flow' describes:

The spatial pathway traced by the feet
The relationship between two movers
The three-dimensional changing of the body's shape in relation to itself (Correct answer)
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 7: What is the primary goal of somatic practices?

Enhance body awareness and self-healing (Correct answer)
Increase exercise repetition
Speed up physical training
Promote competitive sports

Correct answer: Enhance body awareness and self-healing

The primary goal of somatic practices is to enhance an individual's body awareness and facilitate self-healing by focusing on the internal, felt experience of the body. These practices aim to improve the mind-body connection, helping individuals recognize and release chronic tension, improve movement patterns, and support the body's natural capacity for well-being. They prioritize internal sensation and self-regulation over external performance.

Question 8: Which somatic practitioner developed 'Ideokinesis,' using mental imagery to re-pattern neuromuscular coordination?

Moshe Feldenkrais
F.M. Alexander
Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen
Mabel Todd (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Mabel Todd

Mabel Todd developed Ideokinesis, the use of anatomical imagery to facilitate postural change through the nervous system without conscious muscular effort.

Question 9: Free Flow in Effort analysis is associated with movement that:

Cannot easily be stopped once initiated (Correct answer)
Uses strong weight throughout
Stays bound to one location
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 10: In Laban Movement Analysis, the four Effort motion factors are:

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

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

Three-dimensional carving through space
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

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 12: Which body connectivity pattern is typically the last to emerge in human motor development?

Breath
Upper-Lower
Core-Distal
Cross-Lateral (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Cross-Lateral

Cross-Lateral (contralateral) coordination is the most complex developmental achievement and is the last connectivity pattern to emerge in motor development.

Question 13: The concept of 'inhibition' in the Alexander Technique means:

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

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

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

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

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

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 16: In LMA, 'condensing' refers to:

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

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 17: In Shape theory, 'retreating' refers to movement that:

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

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 18: When a CMA is working cross-culturally and applies Effort analysis to movement that carries specific cultural meaning (such as ritual or ceremonial movement), the primary ethical concern is:

Cultural movement cannot be analyzed using LMA without first translating it to English description
Practitioners should only work with cultures whose movement they personally perform
The practitioner should use Time effort categories exclusively in cultural contexts
Imposing a Western analytical framework may misrepresent or disrespect culturally specific movement practices (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Imposing a Western analytical framework may misrepresent or disrespect culturally specific movement practices

Applying a culturally embedded framework to diverse movement practices risks ethnocentric misinterpretation and requires cultural humility and consultation.

Question 19: The concept of 'voluminousness' in Space Harmony describes movement that:

Uses minimal effort
Fills three-dimensional space fully (Correct answer)
Follows only peripheral pathways
Stays in one plane

Correct answer: Fills three-dimensional space fully

Voluminousness refers to movement that expands into and fully occupies three-dimensional space, engaging the depth and breadth of the kinesphere.

Question 20: Which phrasing type follows the natural inhale-exhale cycle, creating organic, continuous movement without sharp accents?

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

Correct answer: Breath rhythm phrasing

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

Question 21: The three dimensions of Shape Flow are:

Strong/Light, Direct/Indirect, Sudden/Sustained
Up/Down, Side/Side, Forward/Back (Correct answer)
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 22: Why is spatial awareness important in movement observation?

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

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 23: What is a critical component of client confidentiality?

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

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 24: When a mover's Shape changes consistently match their Effort qualities (e.g., Strong + Shaping-Enclosing), what LMA concept does this exemplify?

Postural-gestural merging
Spatial-effort harmony
Drive expression
Effort-Shape affinity or integration (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Effort-Shape affinity or integration

When Effort and Shape qualities align meaningfully, it indicates integration of inner attitude (Effort) and outer form (Shape), a sign of expressive coherence.

Question 25: What is informed consent in movement practice?

Assuming consent for all sessions
Skipping client education
Surprising clients with practices
Obtaining voluntary agreement after full disclosure (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Obtaining voluntary agreement after full disclosure

Informed consent is a vital ethical principle that upholds client autonomy in movement practice. It requires the professional to provide comprehensive information about the proposed practices, including their purpose, procedures, potential benefits, risks, and alternatives. Only after this full disclosure can the client provide voluntary agreement, ensuring they make educated decisions about their participation.

Question 26: Which type of movement phrasing involves a sharp, sudden beginning that then gradually decays in intensity?

Impulsive phrasing (Correct answer)
Swing phrasing
Impactive phrasing
Sustained phrasing

Correct answer: Impulsive phrasing

Impulsive phrasing begins with a sudden accent and then gradually decreases in intensity, like a ball thrown and then decelerating.

Question 27: Which of the following is an example of a 'sagittal' movement in LMA Space Harmony?

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

Correct answer: Reaching forward and pulling back

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

Question 28: 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)
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 29: A CMA observes that a subject's Kinesphere is consistently very small and contracted. What movement pattern is being noted?

Sagittal retreating effort
Reduced Kinesphere / Near Reach Space (Correct answer)
Homolateral shrinkage
Vertical plane dominance

Correct answer: Reduced Kinesphere / Near Reach Space

The Kinesphere is the bubble of personal space a mover occupies; a consistently small Kinesphere indicates Near Reach Space habituation.

Question 30: 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
Homologous patterning
Spatial intent
Sequential body connectivity (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Sequential body connectivity

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

Question 31: 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 32: A CMA observes a surgeon making small, controlled, precise incisions. Which Effort quality is most evident?

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

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 33: In Bartenieff Fundamentals, 'body half' connectivity refers to:

Using only one side of the body while the other is still (Correct answer)
Breath flowing to one side at a time
The right side and left side working together in opposition
Upper body independence from lower body

Correct answer: Using only one side of the body while the other is still

Body half connectivity focuses on the right or left half of the body as an integrated unit, strengthening lateral differentiation and organization.

Question 34: Which of the following describes 'head-tail' connectivity in developmental movement?

Upper-lower body differentiation
The relationship between the hands and feet
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 35: When an LMA analyst observes body connectivity patterns in a mover, the primary focus is on:

The aesthetic quality and artistic merit of the movement sequences
How body parts coordinate, support, or inhibit one another in movement organization (Correct answer)
Which specific muscles are recruited in each movement
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 36: In Bartenieff Fundamentals, the 'pelvic lateral shift' exercise primarily trains:

Effort dynamics in the lower extremities
Weight shift and weight-bearing connectivity through the pelvis and hip joints (Correct answer)
Rotational momentum in the arms
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 37: The developmental movement pattern called 'homolateral' involves:

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

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

Body
Shape
Space
Effort (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Effort

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

Question 39: A 'spoke-like' directional movement in Shape theory creates:

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

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 40: What is the primary purpose of practicing spatial scales in CMA training?

To increase muscular strength
To internalize the geometry of the kinesphere and develop spatial intelligence (Correct answer)
To memorize notation symbols
To improve cardiovascular endurance

Correct answer: To internalize the geometry of the kinesphere and develop spatial intelligence

Spatial scales are practiced to develop an embodied understanding of the kinesphere's geometry, training the mover's spatial awareness and clarity.

Question 41: Which of the following best describes 'Directional Movement' in Shape theory?

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

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 42: The Feldenkrais Method's 'Awareness Through Movement' (ATM) lessons are primarily delivered in which format?

Verbally guided group movement sequences (Correct answer)
One-on-one hands-on table sessions
Video-based mirror practice routines
Partner-assisted resistance training

Correct answer: Verbally guided group movement sequences

ATM lessons are verbally guided group classes where participants follow spoken instructions through movement sequences to develop kinesthetic awareness.

Question 43: The Rolfing Structural Integration approach, developed by Ida Rolf, primarily works with which tissue to reorganize the body in gravity?

Fascia (connective tissue) (Correct answer)
Bone
Skeletal muscle
Cartilage

Correct answer: Fascia (connective tissue)

Rolfing manipulates the myofascial network — the fascial web surrounding muscles and organs — to release restrictions and realign the body in the gravitational field.

Question 44: A CMA practitioner uses Space Harmony analysis in a choreographic project and later wishes to publish the movement notation of a client's improvisation. The practitioner must:

Change the client's gender in the notation to anonymize it sufficiently
Publish freely since movement in public space has no copyright protection
Wait five years before publishing to allow the statute of limitations to pass
Obtain the client's written consent before publishing any identifiable movement material (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Obtain the client's written consent before publishing any identifiable movement material

A client's movement material remains their intellectual and personal property; written consent is required before publication.

Question 45: In LMA, 'sequential movement' refers to:

Movement that flows successively through body parts one after another (Correct answer)
Movement in which multiple body parts move simultaneously
Movement that occurs in predictable metric rhythmic patterns
Movement that follows a predetermined choreographic order

Correct answer: Movement that flows successively through body parts one after another

Sequential movement passes through body parts in succession, creating a ripple or wave-like effect through the body.

Question 46: The Alexander Technique's 'primary control' refers to the dynamic relationship between:

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

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 47: Which quality best defines 'bound flow'?

Controlled and contained (Correct answer)
Carefree and loose
Heavy and abrupt
Fast and jerky

Correct answer: Controlled and contained

In Laban Movement Analysis, 'bound flow' is an Effort quality characterized by a sense of control, containment, and resistance. Movements with bound flow often appear careful, deliberate, and held back, as if energy is being continuously restrained. This contrasts with 'free flow,' which is released and unrestrained, highlighting the internal dynamic of the movement.

Question 48: In LMA, the four Shape qualities associated with planes are:

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

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 49: Why is continued education important for professionals?

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

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

Bound flow and condensed effort
Opening, expanding, or reaching outward from the body's center (Correct answer)
Collapsing inward toward the core
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 51: Irmgard Bartenieff integrated Laban's movement theory with which other discipline to develop Bartenieff Fundamentals?

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

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

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

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

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

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

The spatial pattern traced by the feet
Musical tempo applied to movement
The patterned sequence and variation of Effort qualities over time (Correct answer)
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 55: In Bartenieff Fundamentals, 'Thigh Lift' is a basic exercise primarily intended to develop:

Breath-movement coordination in the hands
Eye-head sequencing patterns
Core-distal connectivity and inner unit activation (Correct answer)
Upper extremity isolation

Correct answer: Core-distal connectivity and inner unit activation

Thigh Lift activates the inner core and establishes proximal–distal connectivity between the pelvis and lower limbs.

Question 56: A CMA observing a student who consistently holds breath during effort, collapses the chest, and rushes transitions would note these as signs of dysregulation in which Bartenieff concept?

Breath Support and Phrasing (Correct answer)
Body Attitude
Effort-Shape integration
Spatial Intent

Correct answer: Breath Support and Phrasing

Breath Support and Phrasing in Bartenieff Fundamentals addresses how breath organizes movement initiation, effort, and recovery — dysregulation shows up as holding, collapse, and rushed phrases.

Question 57: The principle of 'non-maleficence' as applied to CMA practice most directly means:

Clients should be prevented from attempting challenging movement patterns
The practitioner must avoid causing physical or psychological harm through their analysis and interventions (Correct answer)
All movement analysis sessions must be filmed to prevent false allegations
The practitioner should always make movement feel pleasant for the client

Correct answer: The practitioner must avoid causing physical or psychological harm through their analysis and interventions

Non-maleficence obligates CMAs to actively prevent harm in both the process and application of movement analysis.

Question 58: 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 59: In Space Harmony, 'transversals' are movement paths that:

Follow the peripheral edge of the icosahedron (Correct answer)
Cross from one side of the kinesphere to the other through the body
Move only in one dimension
Always begin and end at the same point

Correct answer: Follow the peripheral edge of the icosahedron

Transversals are spatial paths that cross obliquely through the kinesphere, connecting non-adjacent spatial zones along the faces of the icosahedron.

Question 60: Which of the following is NOT one of Laban's eight basic effort actions?

Wring
Slide
Bounce (Correct answer)
Flick

Correct answer: Bounce

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

Question 61: What is 'Body' in Laban Movement Analysis?

Music tempo
Mental focus
Parts moving and coordination (Correct answer)
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 62: Which Shape quality describes movement that narrows the body by pulling the arms inward horizontally?

Sinking
Rising
Enclosing (Correct answer)
Retreating

Correct answer: Enclosing

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

Question 63: The 'Spell Drive' in Effort theory combines:

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

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 64: 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
The practitioner must obtain a government permit before proceeding
The practitioner should consider whether the analysis could harm the individual's reputation (Correct answer)
Public figures have no expectation of professional ethical consideration

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 65: 'Grounding' in Bartenieff Fundamentals refers to:

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

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 66: 'Bound' Flow in Effort analysis describes movement that is:

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

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 67: Which system records the pathways and direction of movements?

Spatial intent and kinesphere (Correct answer)
Breathing rhythm charts
Eye movement tracking
Pulse monitoring

Correct answer: Spatial intent and kinesphere

In Laban Movement Analysis, the concept of 'Spatial intent' and the 'kinesphere' are used to describe and record the pathways and directions of movements. The kinesphere refers to the personal space surrounding the body that can be reached by movement, while spatial intent describes the specific directions and dimensions of movement within that space. This helps analyze how movement is organized in relation to the environment.

Question 68: In pattern recognition, which observation method involves watching the whole mover for several movement cycles before focusing on specific elements?

Sequential segmental analysis
Kinesiological breakdown
Wide-angle or global observation (Correct answer)
Spatial tracing

Correct answer: Wide-angle or global observation

Global observation allows the observer to perceive overall movement themes and patterns before narrowing analytical focus.

Question 69: In movement phrasing, the 'preparation' phase serves which primary function?

It marks the resolution and completion of the movement sequence
It gathers readiness and sets up the conditions for the main action (Correct answer)
It provides a transition phrase to connect to the next movement unit
It defines the moment of peak intensity in the phrase

Correct answer: It gathers readiness and sets up the conditions for the main action

The preparation phase gathers energy and establishes the readiness that makes the main action of the phrase possible.

Question 70: Shape Flow Support refers to:

The memorization of spatial scales
The way Shape Flow changes underlie and support Effort expression (Correct answer)
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 71: What aspect does 'Space' refer to in LMA?

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

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

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

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

Space (Correct answer)
Time
Flow
Weight

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

Weight
Flow
Time
Space (Correct answer)

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

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

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

Expanding the front of the body outward
Widening the arms to the side
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 77: In Shape theory, 'condensing' Shape Flow refers to:

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

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 78: 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 79: A movement described as 'sudden' refers to which Effort motion factor?

Flow
Weight
Time (Correct answer)
Space

Correct answer: Time

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

Question 80: In the LMA Space Harmony framework, which spatial pull refers to movement oriented toward the High-Right-Forward diagonal?

Left-low-back diagonal
Right-high-forward diagonal (RHF) (Correct answer)
Door plane vertical
Sagittal forward axis

Correct answer: Right-high-forward diagonal (RHF)

Space Harmony maps movement pulls along diagonals, axes, and planes within the Kinesphere; RHF is one of four primary diagonals.

Question 81: A CMA practitioner is offered a financial incentive by a manufacturer to recommend specific movement equipment to clients. The ethical obligation is to:

Accept the incentive as long as the equipment is genuinely useful
Disclose the financial relationship to clients and allow it to inform but not drive recommendations (Correct answer)
Refuse all equipment recommendations to clients to avoid any conflict
Accept the incentive privately and recommend the equipment without disclosure

Correct answer: Disclose the financial relationship to clients and allow it to inform but not drive recommendations

Financial conflicts of interest must be transparently disclosed to clients so they can make informed decisions about recommendations they receive.

Question 82: Which statement best describes the relationship between Shape and Effort in LMA?

Shape relates to the body's form changes while Effort relates to the dynamic qualities of movement (Correct answer)
Shape is only relevant to dance and Effort only to therapy
Shape and Effort are always observed simultaneously and never independently
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 83: In LMA, the 'A-scale' (Defense Scale) primarily traces diagonals through which three dimensions?

All three dimensions—vertical, horizontal, and sagittal (Correct answer)
Horizontal and sagittal only
Vertical only
Rotational pathways only

Correct answer: All three dimensions—vertical, horizontal, and sagittal

The A-scale moves through all three spatial dimensions, connecting high–low, side–side, and forward–back spatial pulls in sequence.

Question 84: Which of the following is NOT a component recorded in Labanotation?

Duration of movement
Level of movement
Direction of movement
Costume color (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Costume color

Labanotation records movement parameters such as direction, level, duration, and body part — but not visual design elements like costume color.

Question 85: In Effort theory, 'indulging' in a motion factor means:

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

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 86: 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 87: The three planes of movement in Space Harmony are:

Axial, Peripheral, Central
Vertical, Lateral, Diagonal
Primary, Secondary, Tertiary
Sagittal, Frontal, Horizontal (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Sagittal, Frontal, Horizontal

The three planes are the Sagittal (wheel), Frontal (door), and Horizontal (table) planes, each defined by two of the three spatial dimensions.

Question 88: In Body-Mind Centering (BMC), the concept of 'cellular breathing' refers to:

CO2 exchange measured during aerobic exercise
The rhythmic pulsation and fluid exchange occurring at the cellular level (Correct answer)
Diaphragmatic breathing techniques used in yoga
Breath-hold intervals used in somatic meditation

Correct answer: The rhythmic pulsation and fluid exchange occurring at the cellular level

Cellular breathing in BMC describes the inherent rhythmic movement of cells — their expansion, contraction, and fluid exchange — as a foundation of embodied awareness.

Question 89: The 'Action Drive' in Effort theory is unique because it:

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

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

Flow
Weight (Correct answer)
Space
Time

Correct answer: Weight

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

Question 91: In LMA Shape, 'Shape Flow' refers to movement that:

Traces pathways through the general space
Carves and molds the space around the body
Reflects the body's relationship to its own center, growing and shrinking (Correct answer)
Arcs through space in relation to others

Correct answer: Reflects the body's relationship to its own center, growing and shrinking

Shape Flow describes the body's self-referential growing and shrinking that accompanies breathing and inner sensation.

Question 92: 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
All four motion factors are fully engaged
No motion factors are present

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

Homologous
Homolateral
Contralateral
Spinal (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Spinal

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

Question 94: The Upper-Lower body connectivity pattern in LMA refers to the relationship between:

Core muscles and the distal limbs
The arms and the legs
The upper half of the body and the lower half, divided at the waist (Correct answer)
The head and the torso

Correct answer: The upper half of the body and the lower half, divided at the waist

Upper-Lower connectivity emphasizes differentiation and cooperation between the upper body (above the waist) and the lower body (below the waist).

Question 95: The term 'phrasing' in LMA refers to:

The way movements are organized into meaningful sequences with discernible beginnings and endings (Correct answer)
How verbal language or narration accompanies a mover
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 96: In Bartenieff Fundamentals, which concept describes the movement connection between breath and active body movement?

Inner-Outer connectivity
Spatial Intent
Core Support
Breath Support (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Breath Support

Breath Support in Bartenieff Fundamentals links respiratory patterns to the initiation and quality of whole-body movement.

Question 97: Somatic movement education differs from traditional physical rehabilitation primarily in that it:

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

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 98: How does somatic movement therapy assist individuals?

Reconnect with bodily sensations (Correct answer)
Achieve peak athleticism
Focus only on external performance
Push beyond pain limits

Correct answer: Reconnect with bodily sensations

Somatic movement therapy assists individuals by guiding them to reconnect with their internal bodily sensations, feelings, and movements. This process helps them become more aware of habitual patterns, areas of tension, and discomfort, fostering a deeper mind-body connection. By bringing conscious attention to these sensations, individuals can learn to release chronic stress, improve posture, and develop more efficient and comfortable movement.

Question 99: Which Shape mode is most self-referential and least related to the external environment?

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

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

Rotational (twisting)
Forward/Back (bulging)
Up/Down (lengthening)
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 101: In observing Effort, a CMA would identify 'indirect' Space Effort in a mover who:

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

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 102: When a CMA notes that a client's movement shows 'Upper–Lower' connectivity, this means the client demonstrates:

Spinal undulation linking head to tail
Arms and legs moving in mirror-image patterns
Coordination between the upper and lower halves of the body across the horizontal midline (Correct answer)
Isolated movement of the extremities without core involvement

Correct answer: Coordination between the upper and lower halves of the body across the horizontal midline

Upper–Lower connectivity describes the functional relationship between the upper and lower halves of the body divided at the horizontal midline (waist).

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

Questions

120 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

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