Save the Date! 2013 Chapter Meeting

June 1, 2013 Akdar Shriners, 2808 S. Sheridan Rd Tulsa, OK 74129 Featuring a selection of great educators, election of upcoming board positions, and general discussion regarding the newly introduced Massage Therapy Practice Act that regulates Massage Therapy throughout Oklahoma. Please note: The class with D’Jango Sanders requires a table and other massage materials. For more details, continue reading…

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Oklahoma Chapter Board Members

Mary Elizabeth Le Blanc President Norman, OK (405) 924-2114 melebla@cox.net Debbie Billington 1st Vice President / Membership Chair Tulsa, OK (918) 760-9406 debillcmt@gmail.com Tonya Sharp 2nd Vice President Moore, OK (405) 249-3844 tdsharp73@aol.com India Rose Carson 3rd Vice President Norman, OK (405) 223-8416 indiarosecarson@gmail.com Rocky Chen Treasurer Oklahoma City, OK (405) 702-8140 rocksbox@gmail.com Rodrick Neher Newsletter Chair / Alternate Delegate Oklahoma City, OK (405) 351-0577 rodneher@gmail.com Scott G. Rayburn Delegate Oklahoma City, OK (405) 408-1564 waterock1@cox.net

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AMTA-OK NEWSLETTER SPRING 2013

When massage therapists speak of Lomi Lomi, they are referring to a Hawaiian style of massage that combines healing intention with long forearm runs based on circles and figure eights.

The term Lomi Lomi translates as “to knead,” or “to weave.” This indigenous Hawaiian healing art is a total concept of well-being of which massage is one part of the medicinal and restorative skills. Lomi Lomi was likely brought to Hawaii by the earliest Polynesian settlers. Each family held these traditional healing skills and passed them on to the next generation; thus, there are many unique forms of Lomi Lomi. Temple bodywork, or Lomi Lomi Nui, is a distinctive form practiced the Hawaiian shaman as a sacred rite of passage. All styles of Lomi Lomi integrate breath work, movement, prayer, and intention.

Movement is based on figure eights that balance and integrate - for both the therapist and the client - the left and right sides of the body and the mind. The movement also helps the practitioner activate the energy flow in the body, connect with the breath, integrate the flow of Lomi, and align with the lineage.

“Ha” is the Hawaiian word for breath. Breath is life; breath is spirit; breath is sacred. Breathing nourishes the practitioner and supports the ability to stay relaxed. It infuses life and spirit into the intention. The practitioner who can breathe deeply during the massage offers comfort, safety, and confidence through their touch and encourages relaxation.

Lomi Lomi is a beautiful practice that can reach a client on a mental, physical, and spiritual level. More information can be found at: SacredLomi.com

What is Lomi Lomi?

India Rose Carson

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AMTA-OK NEWSLETTER SPRING 2013

Volunteer Opportunities

The following positions are open for election:

• 1st Vice President – 2 year term • 3rd Vice President – 2 year term • Secretary – 1 year remaining

(open vacancy) • Treasurer – 2 year term • Delegate – 2 year term • Alternate(s) – 1 year term

To apply to run for any listed positions, candidates must: • Be a Professional or Professional Graduate AMTA Member in

good standing • Sign the Chapter Code of Conduct form.

Candidates can obtain the Code of Conduct form or ask any questions by contacting Mary Elizabeth at melebla@cox.net

Times are changing for massage therapists in Oklahoma. With new legislation being proposed, our role is about to become even more important. We are in need of serious, dedicated volunteers that are passionate about their professions and are willing to share their time and energy to advance and promote our profession

The Oklahoma Chapter board has several positions open for election this year. Any volunteers from the chapter will be considered. Please submit your inquiries to Mary Elizabeth at melebla@cox.net.

Check out the Top 10 Reasons to volunteer!

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AMTA-OK NEWSLETTER SPRING 2013

Annual Meeting Saturday, June 1st 2013

Akdar Shrine: 2808 South Sheridan Road, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Lumbar Techniques Massage and Pharmacology H.  D’jango Sanders Susan Salvo www.djangosanders.com www.susansalvo.com [Please bring a table, linens, oil/lotion, 2 small hand [Please bring pen & paper] towels, shorts & tank top/sports bra, & pen & paper]

1st Vice President ~ Two-year Term 3rd Vice President ~ Two-year Term Treasurer ~ Two-year Term

Secretary ~ One-year Term Delegate ~ Two-year Term Alternate ~ One-year Term

Please submit applications to the Commission of Candidacy at:

Patricia Hazelwood Hzlw4@aol.com, Post Office Box 18873 Oklahoma City 73154-0873 or

Angela Carothers HolisticSimplicity@yahoo.com, 1200 Ridgecrest Road, Edmond 73013-6033

Host Hotel: The Sleep Inn (Mid-Town) ~ 8021 East 33rd ~ 918-663-2777 [$74.99+taxes/fees double occupancy]

Registration: $50.00 Cash / Check at the Door or $45 PreRegistration by May 25th Check Payable to: AMTA-OK Chapter & Mail to: India Carson, 4244 Wembleton Circle, Norman 73072

A Limited Number of Scholarships Available; Please Send Letter of Request to India Carson at Above Address

RSVP Debbie or Wendy: 918.859.7216

Education Choices

6 CEs

8:00 - 8:30 Meet & Greet with Continental Breakfast 8:30 - 11:30 Training of your Choice 11:30 - 1pm: Lunch & AMTA Membership Meeting 1:00 – 4pm: Continuation of Training

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AMTA-OK NEWSLETTER SPRING 2013

Letter from the President

Mary Elizabeth Le Blanc, AMTA-OK President Dear Membership, I want to start with giving a heartfelt thank you, to all those who stepped up to help this Chapter get back to taking care of business. Our success is measured by the willingness of our membership to volunteer where needed. It takes dedication and determination to see a task through to fruition. I appreciate all those who sought to be part of the process when we found ourselves facing possible regulation initiated by individuals unknown to us. I learned a lot about the legislative process. Most importantly I learned that I don’t know enough about the legislative process to affect a change. It is going to take all of the Massage Therapy Community working together in harmony to make this happen. There have been many rumors and innuendo that surfaced with the potential of regulation occurring. I have confirmed that SB 1019 and HB 1417 are both dead. Nothing will occur on this front until 2015 and only if either Author of these failed Bills pursues to reintroduce a Massage Therapy Practice Act bill or if the AMTA-OK does the work to encourage them to do so. Now is the time for the Massage Therapy Community to unite and come up with an effective game plan to achieve regulation. It would be better to have a Massage Therapy Practice Act introduced with us involved rather than learning about it after the fact. Legislation is only one road block for us, another is the Oklahoma Board of Private and Vocational Schools (OBPVS).This Board ties our hands when it comes to opening our educational opportunities to nonmembers. Most Chapters use education as a recruitment and income tool. The OBPVS requires licensure for all private and vocational educators. Those seeking to teach seminars are required to be licensed, if they aren’t they are in violation of OK law. There is an exempt status for professional groups but they can only take care of their membership and they have to be recognized by the OBPVS. Our status at this time is in question, the OBPVS has undergone restructuring and they can’t confirm our exempt status, I hope to have this resolved soon. Another thing I have learned as I attempt to lead our Board is that we can’t do this job without the support and interest of our membership. I encourage everyone to open themselves up to the possibility of volunteering to help us solve these issues. Thank you for your time and support. Sincerely, Mary Elizabeth Le Blanc AMTA-OK President

Thank You! Thank you all for taking the time to read this newsletter. We hope to see you all at the annual meeting this year!

Best Wishes!

AMTA-OK NEWSLETTER SPRING 2013