LIMS’ Certification Program in Laban Movement Studies is a professional post-Baccalaureate educational program leading to the internationally recognized title of Certified Movement Analyst (CMA). The program is an embodied educational process in Rudolf Laban’s conceptualization of movement and Irmgard Bartenieff’s in-depth methodology of understanding the body in motion. The Program involves the study of Laban Movement Analysis and Bartenieff Fundamentalssm through embodiment, observation training, and seminars in the history of the system and its diverse areas of application.

Classes involve movement, discussion, observation of self and others, field trips, video observation, and documentation. Several projects are undertaken and assessed during the course of the training, including a final project encompassing theory, observation, movement experiences and personal applications.

LIMS offers our Certification Program in two formats: Yearlong Format (half-days, four days/week from September to May.) in New York City and Modular Format (full-days, four-part Module, see individual program pages for more details) in New York, Israel, Taiwan, and China.

LIMS® is an accredited institutional member of the
National Association of School of Dance (NASD).


Goals of the Certification Program in Laban Movement Studies

  1. To understand LMA as a system of structural and dynamic concepts that both simplifies the understanding of the movement phenomenon and gives appreciation to the complexity of that event; to see analytically and holistically.
  2. To become articulate with the LMA vocabulary of movement description in movement, symbols, writing and speaking. To appreciate the difference and the interrelationship between the movement vocabulary and the interpretive/subjective process.
  3. a. To understand the core Laban theoretical principles and selected concepts from Laban-trained professionals who have developed new perspectives and applications based on LMA.
    b. To recognize theories within disciplines that relate to the Laban work.
    c. To understand the Bartenieff Fundamentals, somatic work /repatterning that supports the body-level integration of movement studies.
  4. a. To understand one’s own movement preferences and repertoire, and to ultimately demonstrate a broader range of movement possibilities.
    b. To achieve an appreciation of the individuality of others and an ability to perceive and work with that in mind.
    c. To reinforce the body/mind integration process.
  5. To gain an appreciation and understanding of the connection between the LMA framework and the expressive-emotional nature of human movement
  6. a. To experience opportunities that support creative work with the LMA material (ex: moving, choreographing, writing, teaching, and researching).
    b. To learn how the objective tool of a movement framework can interact with and support the intuitive creative process.
  7. To use the LMA principles in various fields (ex: fitness, business, therapy, art, computer technology).
  8. To experience learning as an individualized process that remains open and ongoing. To become comfortable with a kind of learning that may or may not have a definitive endpoint.
  9. To value the preliminary student level of development, and anticipate an appreciation for self-directed learning once certification training is complete.