Letter on HB 81 — Amy Prince, Certified Alexander Technique Teacher (May 25, 2021)

Summary

Letter dated May 25, 2021, to Chair Dick Stein and the Ohio House Commerce and Labor Committee from Amy Prince, a Certified Alexander Technique Teacher in Columbus, Ohio, who states being certified since 2013. The letter states concern that HB 81, though extremely important to combat criminal activity under the guise of legitimate massage therapy, may affect the right to practice the Alexander Technique. It states the hands-on guidance in the Alexander Technique is very different from massage. It asks that the bill be amended so certified teachers of the Alexander Technique are included as an exemption along with Reflexology, and supports amendment language proposed by the Feldenkrais Guild.

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Full text

May 25, 2021
The Honorable Dick Stein, Chair
Ohio House Commerce and Labor Committee
Ohio State Legislature
1 Capital Square
Ground Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

Dear Chair Stein and Members of the Committee,

I am a resident of Columbus, Ohio who teaches the Alexander Technique, a form of somatic movement
education. I have been certified since 2013. Since then, I have taught both private and group work all
over Columbus, including classes at Riverside Hospital’s McConnell Heart Health Center and the OSU
Center for Integrative Medicine.

I am concerned that HB 81, though extremely important to combat criminal activity under the guise of
legitimate massage therapy, may affect my and my colleagues’ right to practice the Alexander
Technique. Alexander Technique teachers complete 1200-1600 hours of study followed by
appropriate continuing study. Teachers worldwide must adhere to strict standards of practice and a
code of ethics.

The Alexander Technique uses a wide variety of instructional approaches to guide students to
better understand their patterns of movement and help them improve posture, agility and
movement efficiency. Approaches include verbal and hands-on instruction as well as demonstration
and experiential learning.

The hands-on guidance in the Alexander Technique is very different from massage. The two modalities
have very different trainings. I would ask that you amend the bill so that certified teachers of the
Alexander Technique are included as an exemption on HB 81 along with Reflexology. This is how many
other states have handled similar circumstances.

I support the amendment language proposed by the Feldenkrais Guild, another branch of somatic
movement education. It would add 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 a credentialing body that represents or
certifies the respective practice based on a minimum level of training, demonstration of competency,
and adherence to ethical standards.”

I appreciate your time and consideration in this matter. Please feel free to contact me with any
questions that you may have.

Sincerely,
Amy “Beaker” Prince
Certified Alexander Technique Teacher
Columbus, Ohio
(614)975-3414


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