President's Message

Michael Roberson, President -- AMTA California Chapter

August 2026

Hello All …

I have been packing, editing, and purging to make ready for a move. I have tried to stay to the rule: if something comes into the house, something needs to get out of the house. I broken that rule too many times, and now… I am purging stuff.

​While purging, I came across some of my old massage textbooks and realized just how old they were. There was information that, if shared today, would be laughed at. You know, those things like:

 - “We flush out toxins while giving a massage?”

 - ”If you massage a patient with cancer, you can spread the cancer throughout their body?”

 - “If you massage over endanger points of a pregnant patient, you can induce a miscarriage or labor?”

 - “You should always get a physician’s permission to do massage?”

 - “Massage has to hurt to be effective.” Or “No pain, no gain.”

 - “A relaxation massage is not a therapeutic massage.”

Clearing out old items and belief systems is something we should do on a very regular basis. AND it feels good to see things go.

But we also need to make room for the new. The way to get that new is to invest your time in new workshops, webinars, lectures, books, and discussion groups. While looking at that new stuff, make sure that it is something of quality so it will last longer and endure time. The task of the student is not just to listen and learn, but to question and make sure the information presented is valid.

At the end of this month, AMTA is hosting their National Convention in Denver, Colorado, where some of the most respected instructors come together in one place offering many quality continuing education opportunities. While there, you will have the opportunity to connect with fellow colleagues from across the country, check out the latest products and services in our industry, and be inspired by the Keynote Speakers.

Registration is still open for those last-minute decision-makers.

Be it at our National Convention, a webinar, or an in-person workshop, we hope you will be keeping your education up to date. Check out a few of those opportunities listed below.

Until the next time …

Michael Roberson,

California Chapter President