AOBTA.org

• Professional networking and support

• Optional, affordable professional liability, life and disability insurance coverage
• Discounts to high-quality continuing education opportunities on international, national, regional and state levels
• Membership directory with web site locator service
• Protection and representation of the interest, rights, and professional standards of Asian Bodywork Therapies
• Voting rights on organizational issues (except for Student Members)
• Regulatory support and action-oriented representation
• Mutual support and networking with other members of the Federation of Therapeutic Massage,
• Bodywork and Somatic Practice Organizations

• AOBTA^® Pulse: Our journal, full of information and articles about ABT, its practice, practitioners and

• the community; published quarterly
• Free listing on the AOBTA web site of workshops taught by members
• Personal and professional growth opportunities by participating in AOBTA committees, task forces, and offices at the state, regional, national and international levels

Thoughts on the benefits of AOBTA membership:

I have always hated this question. We live in such an ‘acquisition of stuff’ society. But face it: it is not the pin or the pen; it is not some bumper sticker or even access to liability insurance. It is not even the ability to advertise ones classes or office. It is about being part of a greater whole and creating a profession.

It is the community, knowing that through these interactions with members I will learn something, grow in some way, and pass something on to the next generation. Something stronger, more stable, and more widely understood and accepted. People no longer ask me if I can fix their Toyota - they may still not understand what I do, but they at least understand that I don’t do auto bodywork.

We are getting there... one step at a time. We need to stand strongly together and keep pushing forward like the stream that cuts a great canyon until it is so large that no one can walk by it and not be impressed. – So, we are like a gully right now... but if we stick together, and keep flowing forward we can be grand and keep our standards and bring our profession up to an even greater bench mark.

Maria Spuller - AOBTA President