Thanks for the update Marjorie.

I will have to get that paperwork too, as I have someone interested in hosting my Lomi course in Mass.

Much gratitude!

Thanks so much for your postings, Marjorie, regarding teaching in MA. When you have a moment, would you please share the contact information for the DOE and the names of the forms that are required for obtaining approval to teach in MA. Do you happen to know if they approve online courses as well as onsite classroom courses? I wish you the very best life has to offer. I admire your tenacity and your willingness to share. Warmly, Ariana Vincent, Ariana Institute, www.arianainstitute.com

Marjorie wrote:

I sent a copy of Whitney's post to Cortiva and after calling the DOE (who should have contacted the schools) they forwarded the two forms that need to be filled out - and approved by the DOE for out of state teachers (including having to get my resume nortarized since I am self employed).

So you can teach but now booking a classes is going to be like a bad trip to the DMV. It really is a shame.

Health & Happiness,
Marjorie

Thank You Ariana,

I was just thinking how great this site and everyone participating is. If I had not posted my outrage with a call to arms, Whitney (thank you for that by the way!) would not have found out about the forms. Which I then forward to the Cortiva Coordinator and low and behold they send me the forms. The school was in the process of needlessly cancleing classes when they contacted me. As I said I did not contact the DOE personally but I listed their info from the top of the "Teacher Approval" form below.

I would no think on-line course are afffected Gloria, as they technically are not conducted in MA but rather cyperspace. You are not paying taxes in that state so you are not held to there laws..but I would check it out anyway.

Thank you to everyone for answering the call!

Health & Happiness,
Marjorie

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Department of Education
350 Main Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148-5023
Telephone: (781) 338-6048
TTY: N.E.T. Relay 1-800-439-2370

Yes, and it's great to see such quick action on these types of things when we mobilize the social network!

Well put, Whitney!

Yes thank you everyone!

I have actually put some other feelers out there in states I will be teaching and so far they are all ok with the way it is...NCBTMB approved, no requirements for their state license...some do want an outline of the course!!

Kudos to us all

Hi Everyone, I just rec'd the below response from the ABMP about Massachusetts an other states !

First of all, as you know, continuing ed approval varies state to state just
as licensing requirements do. It always will be regulated on a state by
state basis; there is no way to change that. Some states automatically
approve any NCBTMB providers and some don't. It's always been this way.
Massachusetts has not even discussed continuing education approval yet, so
I'm not sure how the rumor you mention got started. The MA board is still
trying to determine school regulations, which has been a contentious
discussion. ABMP would strongly advocate against any policy limiting CE
providers to those licensed in the state, in MA or any other state. Not only
would it be expensive and limiting to practitioners, it's completely
unnecessary when considering that a regulatory board's responsibility is
public protection.

ABMP does and will continue to advocate for regulatory boards to recognize a
broad spectrum of CE providers, including NCBTMB providers. I have not seen
a trend in boards denying NCBTMB providers, so as yet I am not concerned
about this issue. I will definitely keep my eyes out for any developments on
this front. Let me know if you have any questions.


Jean Robinson
Government Relations Director
Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals
800-458-2267 ext. 645
303-679-7645
www.abmp.com
jean@abmp.com

Glad to know they support us but they are behind the times as it was not a rumor. All of the schools in MA cancelled their summer CE programs. If not for the information exchange on this site, which lead to the forms that needed to be filled out, the school would have cancelled my class scheduled for October as well.

It never ceases to amaze me the lack of communication between organizations as well as within themselves. It is one of the reasons I left the corporate world behind!

FYI - the forms were completely annoying and ridiculous to fill out.

Majorie
I suggest you contact Jean and the ABMP personally and tell her your experience and what happened.

Thanks so much to everyone participating in the discussion about teaching in other states. Together we can create a viable network of knowledge. Warmly, Ariana Vincent, Ariana Institute, www.arianainstitute.com

You are invited to read Erik Dalton's article, "Home Study CE Conundrum" and post your comments.

http://www.massagemag.com/News/massage-news.php?id=7523&catid=2...

AMMA Therapy Basic I will be held in the Red Rock Country of Sedona, AZ from October 30 - November 2, 2009 at Your HeartWalk Center on Hwy 179.

AMMA Therapy® is a 5,000 year old system of healing, originating in Korea and brought to the United States by the late Mrs. Tina Sohn, descendant of a royal line of TCM healers and a healing sensitive who could directly experience the energy of others. Along with her late husband, Dr. Robert Sohn, they founded the Wholistic Health Center on Long Island, the largest center of its kind on the east coast, now known as the New York College of Health Professions. AMMA Therapy® was also taught to acupuncture students at the college as well as Wholistic Nursing students who have integrated the technique into the hospital setting. The Sohns co-authored what is said to be the most comprehensive text on Asian bodywork: AMMA Therapy®, A Complete Textbook of Oriental Bodywork and Medical Principles.

AMMA Therapy® offers your clients a complete form of therapy, incorporating bodywork, Chinese diet, and concepts from Qi Gong and T’ai Chi Chuan. It is based on the Eight Principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as Five Element Theory. The technique’s focus on the Five Elements places a high importance on the vital role of the emotions in healing. An AMMA Therapy® session completely embraces the notion of treating body, mind, and spirit.

At its most basic level, AMMA Therapy® addresses structural imbalances such as neck and back pain. At the advanced level, AMMA Therapy® also benefits conditions such as sinusitis, asthma, digestive problems, PMS, menopause, low immune function, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and headaches.

As the therapist is taught how to direct energy from the Dan Tien (the hara), this therapy is easy on your body and reenergizes you along with your client.

Instructor: Maria Troia, MSEd, LMT, NCTMB, CH

Maria Troia is a former instructor of AMMA Therapy® and a student clinic supervisor at the NY College of Health Professions. She has the permission of the current trademark holder to continue to teach AMMA Therapy® independently. She is also approved by NCBTMB as a CE provider (# 450883-08).

$500 (32 contact hours) on or before 9/26/09
(After 9/26 tuition is $550)

To register call 480-313-6260 or visit www.kiraholistic.com for more information.

Maria: Would appreciate your providing citations/references for your statement that: AMMA Therapy® is a 5,000 year old system of healing, originating in Korea. Thanks

Noel,

For the most complete documentation on the origin and history of AMMA Therapy(R), I refer you to aforementioned text by Dr. and Mrs. Sohn. The text is the gold standard on the subject and the source from which I teach my seminars (and from which I studied).

If you are looking for published research in clinical journals (which I suspect you are), ancient systems of healing typically do not come to us with such citations, but rather evidence. And I realize that for some who are more research-minded, evidence-based results are sometimes not enough. Having many colleagues who are immersed in the allopathic paradigm, I am well aware of the evidence vs. research debate. However, I think if we are to truly serve clients and patients, the two areas need to find common ground.

When evidence is strong enough and where open minds prevail, complimentary alternative therapies are embraced in the clinical setting, which I am proud to say has been the case with AMMA Therapy(R), most notably at New York's Bellvue Hopsital and South Nassau Communities Hospital on Long Island.

For this reason, I refer you to the articles listed below, which chronicle how AMMA Therapy(R) has been embraced in the hospital setting. While perhaps not the clinical citations I suspect you are seeking, the words of patients, nurses, and respected pain management physicians speak for themselves.

The New York Sun : "Bellvue Embraces Holistic Medicine for Nurses, Patients" (October 14, 2003)

Newsday "Holistic Nursing: It's Body,Mind and Spirit"
(I apologize, I do not have the date of publication available)

The New York Times: "Holistic Massage Therapy Adopted for Pain Management"
(I also do not have the publication date for this one).

The New York Times article also discusses the integration of AMMA Therapy(R) at South Nassau Community Hospital in Oceanside, NY for patients with cancer, emphysema, and for those who were post-surgical.

FYI, there is also one published research article that I am aware of on AMMA Therapy(R) and chronic fatigue in the Journal of Holistic Nursing:
http://jhn.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/11/2/172

For origin and history, however, once again, I respectfully refer you to the text. There is no more complete documentation of AMMA Therapy(R).

Maria Troia, MSEd, LMT, NCTMB, CH
www.kiraholistic.com

Maria: I was not "looking for published research in clinical journals", I was merely seeking citations/references from independent and generally recognized authorities for your statement that: AMMA Therapy® is a 5,000 year old system of healing, originating in Korea.

For what it's worth Robert C. Sohn & Tina Sohn in their 1996 book: Amma Therapy: A Complete Textbook of Oriental Bodywork and Medical Principles say "Amma Therapy" originated with the "Legendary Chinese Emperor Hwang Ti" page 2.

Additionally, I'm surprised to learn that the Sohn's have trademarked/registered the words "Amma Therapy". This is the legal/linguistic equivalent of trademarking/registering the words, "Push-Pull Massage Therapy."

Hi Noel,

The Sohns are recognized as the authorities on AMMA Therapy(R), which is why I referred you to their text.

You are confusing AMMA Thearpy(R) (the trademarked technique) with amma massage/bodywork (generic term for Chinese bodywork). The latter does originate in China and does translate to "push-pull," all of which is covered in the text, as you pointed out. However, to clarify, the text actually says that "Amma (i.e., the generic technique) dates back approximately 5,000 years to the period of the legendary Chinese Yellow Emperor, Hwang Ti." It is an important distinction. AMMA Therapy(R) has its roots in Amma and it is what Tina Sohn chose to name the technique that was in her lineage upon coming to the U.S. As I view it, AMMA Therapy(R) is a more indepth and refined protocol that came out of the generic amma.

The trademarked technique is what I studied, practice, and teach. To further clarify (and all this may be found in the forward and preface of the text), Tina Sohn was educated in "amma" by her grandmother, Madame Ho Hyun, a Korean herbalist and acupuncturist. Upon meeting and marrying Dr. Robert Sohn, an American military-man studying with Madame Ho Hyun, Tina Sohn migrated to the US and together the Sohns founded the college on Long Island.

Your surpise at their choice to trademark the technique is not uncommon. It is my understanding that they tradmarked this system of healing as "AMMA Therapy" as opposed to "amma massage" to protect it and keep it pure, as it was handed down to Mrs. Sohn through her lineage. It is important to note that AMMA Therapy(R) is a complete form of therapy and I believe this is what Mrs. Sohn was seeking to protect -- not only the protocol, but the wisdom behind it.

As the Sohns are now passed, I personally believe it was wise of them to take this step to prevent AMMA Therapy(R) from being watered down and reduced to a lesser technique by those who might not be as devoted to keeping it pure.

I hope this clarifies things for you. If you have further questions, you may contact me directly.

Maria G. Troia, MSEd, LMT, NCTMB, CH
www.kiraholistic.com

Hello all ,
Hav edreams of becoming a massage educator. Just moved to MD and studying to get my license. I know I need some experience, but I love doing massage for a living. Trying to social network with other therapist, so thought I would give this a try.

I appreciate reading the conversation about MA CE regulations. As many of you acknowledged the variance state by state regarding CE approval is definitely something to be mindful of. Since I teach in several states it's an important question to ask before scheduling because in today's world of massage therapy the regulations can change.

Teachers UNITE! Story on Main Page!

Hope this helps some of you out there. Tips on marketing your classes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmCRD7tlkC0

So many familiar faces! You may know me- my company, Dynamic Equilibrium, publishes the PERG. And of course I teach Continuing Education. Glad to be a member of this prestigions group!

www.DynamicEquilibrium.com

We have about one month to read and register our comments re the MTBOK phase I draft that can be found at: http://www.mtbok.org/downloads/MTBOK_Content_Phase_1_Final_First_Draft_V1_2%20_Frozen_Original1.pdf

Greetings to all you wonderful instructors! Glad to be a part of this group!
I'm enjoying teaching "TIAN DI " Bamboo Massage! Approved by the NCBTMB for 18 CEU's, it is unique and distinctly different giving your client maximum therapeutic value while saving stress and strain on your hands/fingers. We use only 100% natural bamboo sticks handcrafted specifically to Ernesto's original design. No other woods or fillers are blended or fused into our "cho sticks" making them light to use and hollow to fill with healing energy, and allowing you to feel though them. No heating or chilling necessary as bamboo's natural properties allow for that.
Classes are being taught across the country. I am presently taking registration for my next class here in Georgia. Therapists and clients alike are benefitting from this innovative and wonderful new modality! We integrate Chinese Cupping and Gua Sha in the therapy and the comination compliments and balances this therapy beautifully.
Check us out: : http://www.journey2theheart.com/bamboomassage.htm
http://www.massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/article.php?id=13938

I would like to invite anyone interested to join the AMMA Therapy group I have created:

www.massageprofessionals.com/group/ammatherapy

AMMA Therapy(R) is a form of Asian Bodywork. More information can be found at the AMMA Therapy(R) group.

Maria Troia, MSEd, LMT, NCTMB, CH
www.kiraholistic.com

I thought you all would like to know how things are progressing with the new Alliance for Massage Therapy Education. Please consider joining as a Founding Member! You'll be supporting the quality of education in the massage profession for generations to come. I've enclosed a few links for you to read about what we are doing. We would be honored if you would consider supporting the start up of this important and essential alliance of educators worldwide.

follow these links:

http://www.afmte.org

http://www.massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/article.php?id=14110

http://www.massageprofessionals.com/profiles/blogs/alliance-incorporated

Take Care! P>

I am here.

What have you found to be the most effective ways of marketing your CE classes locally and nationally? Warmly, Ariana Vincent, Ariana Institute, www.arianainstitute.com

I hope to soon publish the results from the massage research trial I held with the University of Delaware department of Biological Sciences.

Ron, what was your research on? Can you give us a summary?

Inquiring minds want to know.

The World Massage Conference is wonderful this year. I spoke last night and listened to Dr. Chaitow this morning. He was mentioning results from the Fascia Conference. I believe that it is important that we follow the results of this interaction carefully since it is likely to alter how we explain the benefits of massage

You're right on, Sandy. John Barnes has been saying this about the Fascia Conference at the last few seminars I've taken with him. Please keep us updated about anything more you hear.

Maria Troia, MSEd, LMT, NCTMB, CH
www.eastwestholistic.net

Sandy In what why will it alter how we explain?

I meant what way... should not type fast...

my educated guess is that mechanical massage result will be primaily related to changing tissue shape and ultimatley cell wall shape which triggers communication networks, that the fluid aspect of fascia and how massage influences it will be more understood and that less focus will be placed on individual muscles and more on fascial groupings such as described by Tom Myers.

I totally agree with Sandy. Seeing the primary nature of fascial planes/muscle groups will take our understanding of myology to a whole new level. And the cellular ramifcations are also tremendous when you think about how far reaching the myofascia is. We're now looking at health at the cellular level (not to mention cellular memory).

Since this research began, I've also been waiting to hear someone talk about how the fascial system isn't innervated, which raises some real questions about what system is truly primary (I've spent my career believing it was the neural system till now).

This opens the potential for great discussions in massage therapy and bodywork and even in energy work and acupuncture. We are all working with the fluid aspects of fascia and the fiber optics/meridian pathways running through it. We're moving to a whole new level with this research. Exciting!

Maria Troia, MSEd, LMT, NCTMB, CH
www.eastwestholistic.net

My experience is the fascia are the bridge between the physical body and the etheric body. The fascia is the place where energy becomes the matter of the body.

I experience a step down process from energy to matter that can also become a step up process from matter to energy with the insertion of my hands and intention into the process. I think this is where we massage therapists really facilitate change.

Hi all, really enjoyed your lecture Sandy!, did you catch Julie ann days WMC lecture today ? fascinating !!!!!

thanks stephan i will catch julie lecture later. what did you think was fasinating

I like what you said, Dawn Marie. I find that to be true in my experience as an energy worker as well.

A long-time leader in the experiential aspects of the fascia is Emily Conrad, founder of Continuum, continuummovement.com. I have found her work helpful in directly experiencing my own fascia and changing the quality of it, getting it to be more fluid,more alive, juicy. Anti-aging medecine.

Hard to pin that exact place down but yes Dawne Marie, there is definately a place the energy field melds wiht the physical.
Thank you for bringing that more into the light. I would like to see more of this elevation in all massage trainings. ;-)

Fascia is the cutting edge of our professional development as far as understanding anatomy is concerned. The more I play at this edge, the better my results in terms of freeing restrictions, lifting pain patterns and infusing the body with enough new energy that it just self-corrects.

It's like stepping into the flow of where energy becomes matter and redirecting flow so homeostasis can take over. Like giving my client a push on a swing....

Keep up that good work Dawne!

Re World massage conference best $99 I spent in a very long time! you can still join and veiw/download till may 2010.

I am still in a twirl re fascia ....had to watch/listen to some of the lectures 3 times........ just makes the human body even more interesting, more beautifull, more understood yet still unknown.

I have had to take a long look at the way I do my massage. = what alienated me away from rocking shaking mechanical viabration cupping hacking many many years ago? I do a great massage, but can it be better if I now stimulate the mechanoreceptors and free nerve endings that respond when stimulated in the above fashon? they are all there waiting, listening, wanting your touch at all depths slow/strong/soft/fast.

Does this explain why we have so many different therapys that benifit people in so many different ways?

Will we become the most sought after group of practitioners ????? we have the time, the skill, the contact, the patience, the intuition and the love of what we do, to fascillitate theraputic change via the fascial network!

steve

Yes, Steve, I think we hold in our hands the solution to what ails the world. Every body wants connection, flow, intimacy of self and others. The feeling of being well in your skin.
But we haven't allowed ourselves to step up to the plate and take our place alongside the rest of the healing modalities. Time to be seen.....

Hi Dawn, do you have a strong vision of just how we do this ?
Can it be done without elitism ? ego ? dominance ? $ making ?
But with love, freedom of knowledge, intuition ?
Can we step on the plate with grace? no pushin shuvin toe treddin ?
I Think your right! now is the time to be seen ...without fear.
But.time is slipping away..........right through our fingers !

Yes Dawne, What a divine beauty you share!

Well this is one place I've been stepping out to be seen. Raising the conversation.
I'm also writing a mass market book that I hope will move massage and somatic practices to the next level of public awareness. A lot of the ideas are in my blog at www.Bodywisdom.pro.
The basics are this: we need to move and touch each other and learn to read our bodies in order to be well and really feel our connection to Nature. Massage is a first step towards increasing feeling and tactile discrimination. And it's a form of intelligence: kinesthetic intelligence: KI. (Dontcha just love how it sounds like another iteration of chi??? ;-)

PS. I want to make money at this! Why wouldn't we receive the divine portion that is ours for helping people fall in love with themselves again?

I like the way you think, Dawne! All good!

So just a little follow-up. This past Thursday I met Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence, at MIT where a group of academics interested in how to lead the world out of this mess we're in are actively talking about embodiment and how we get from the idea of "we need to change" to the actual action of changing our behaviors. None of this happens without the body's understanding and consent. We know how to nourish both.

FINALLY, RESEARCHING MASSAGE TABLES IS MADE EASIER!!!! One AT-A-GLANCE resource for anyone who is trying to decide on which table to buy! There is now a downloadable chart created by Massage Warehouse which compares many features and benefits on many of the leading table manufacturers products!!! THIS IS GREAT FOR SCHOOLS!!!! Please feel free to log on and download this for yourself and your students!

http://www.massagewarehouse.com/mastertablelist/index.html