LABAN MOVEMENT ANALYSIS (LMA) is a system and language for understanding, observing, describing and notating all forms of movement. Devised by Rudolf Laban, LMA draws on his theories to describe, interpret and document human movement. Used as a tool by dancers, athletes, physical and occupational therapists, it is one of the most widely used systems of human movement analysis. Extended by the work of Irmgard Bartenieff, the system is known also as Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis or Laban Movement Studies and comprises: body, effort (dynamics), shape and space.

The BODY category describes structural and physical characteristics of the human body while moving. This category is responsible for describing which body parts are moving, which parts are connected, which parts are influenced by others, and general statements about body organization. The majority of this category's work was not developed by Laban himself, but developed by his student/collaborator Irmgard Bartenieff through the "Bartenieff Fundamentals".

EFFORT, or what Laban sometimes called dynamics, is a system for understanding the subtle characteristics of the way a movement is done with respect to inner intention.

The way the body changes shape during movement is further experienced and analyzed through the SHAPE category.

The SPACE category involves motion in connection with the environment, and with spatial patterns, pathways, and lines of spatial tension.

Together, these elements create an elegant and engaging way of understanding and expanding one’s movement possibilities.