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Testimony on HB 81 — Joan Taylor, Anat Baniel Method of Neuromovement

Summary

Testimony on HB 81 from Joan Taylor, writing on behalf of practitioners of the Anat Baniel Method of Neuromovement (ABMNM), who states being a certified practitioner along with three others in the state of Ohio. The testimony requests that the bill be amended so it is clear that it does not apply to ABMNM teachers and others who do not practice massage therapy. It states there has been no allegation of criminal activity taking place in Ohio under the guise of the practice of ABMNM. It states that ABMNM is an educational system and is not massage, and that it does not pose a risk to public safety.

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“Testimony on HB 81 — Joan Taylor, Anat Baniel Method of Neuromovement.” Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2021-05-26-commerce-labor-testimony-hb81opjoantaylorwritten-4190444826/, SHA-256 502a8d7c15d704f76d68964eca236d1b14f94edcd796cbef2dcc12d18f17a731.

Full text

                                        Joan Taylor
I am writing on behalf of Practitioners of the Anat Baniel Method of Neuromovement
(ABMNM). I am a certified practitioner of ABMNM along with three others in the state of
Ohio. HB 81 could affect our right to practice our method of somatic education.

We use movement and attention to bring about increased awareness and improved functioning
through experiential learning. Since HB 81 is intended to regulate the practice of massage
therapy, we request that the bill be amended, so it is clear that it does not apply to ABMNM
teachers and others who do not practice massage therapy.

We understand that it is important to update the massage therapy licensure requirements in Ohio
to combat criminal activity that is taking place under the guise of legitimate massage therapy.
However, if the proposed definition of massage therapy is interpreted to apply to the practice of
ABMNM, it would impose unfair and unnecessary requirements on our certified teachers, whose
training and practice is completely different than that of massage therapists. Furthermore, there
has been no allegation of criminal activity taking place in Ohio under the guise of the practice of
ABMNM.

 Therefore, I request that Section 1 of the bill be amended by adding an exemption to Sec.
4731.15 (F) of the Revised Code, for persons who:
(a) use touch, words, and directed movement to deepen awareness of existing patterns of
movement as well as to suggest new possibilities of movement; and
(b) are recognized by or meet the established standards of either a professional organization or
credentialing body that represents or certifies the respective practice based on a minimum level
of training, demonstration of competency, and adherence to ethical standards.

Similar amendments have been supported by the US Trager Association, the International
Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association, and the Biodynamic Craniosacral
Therapy Association of North America, and similar language has been adopted in other states,
with support of the American Massage Therapy Association and other members of the
Federation of Therapeutic Massage, Bodywork and Somatic Practice Organizations.

ABMNM is effective for those seeking to improve posture, movement and function. It is held in
high regard by professionals in other fields, and has been the subject of extensive research.
ABMNM lessons are used by children, seniors, athletes, musicians and people with special needs
and neurological conditions. Some lessons include gentle, non-invasive, and non-corrective
touch, to guide attention and promote learning. (See anatbanielmethod.com)

Massage licensure requirements are not appropriate for ABMNM teachers because it is an
educational system and is not massage. It does not pose a risk to public safety. Certified teachers
have undertaken hundreds of hours of specialized training that is completely different from the
curriculum for massage therapy.

Thank you for considering my request to amend HB 81. Please feel free to contact me if you
have further questions.

Sincerely,
Joan Taylor
614-563-5331

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