Student/Practitioner

Statement from MovES Ltd

The NMAHM® forms one of the few systems of movement that is defined by name, has an identifiable provenance (from conceptual origin throughout key stages in the history of its development), and which has been found to be valid across the spectrum of professional movement-based practices including manual handling.

As such the Approach has many of the necessary requirements for enabling it to develop as a defined professional body if such a direction of development is desired by its students/practitioners.

The Approach appears popular in terms of the number of organisations and people who profess to use it, and/or declare their practice to be based upon it. Yet it is also apparent that there are marked variations in what is defined to be NMA/non-NMA, associated theories and practices.

It is a defined intellectual property – protected by both copyright and registered trademark legislation.

Yet various elements of the intellectual property seem to be being used/ promoted/ disseminated by many others than those who have applied for permission from MovES Ltd to use such materials, or who are known to MovES Ltd. Materials purported to reflect NMA/NMAHM® (which do not) are also appearing from many different areas which are incongruent with the philosophy and practice of the NMA/NMAHM®.

Over many years we have attempted to work with students who have appeared to be committed to the Approach in order to create a standardised basis of/ for NMA/NMAHM® practice with various levels of success.

While we feel we have tried to be tolerant of people's requirements, factors influencing their behaviour related to the Approach etc it is becoming increasingly necessary to deal at least upon a professional practice level with such aspects that negatively impact upon the status of the Approach, students and practitioners identified to be allied with the Approach.

Consultation suggests that the focus of deciding action to be taken to deal with such issues should be the NMAHM® itself, the perceived import of it in contemporary and future professional practice and the value of it in meeting the myriad requirements of professional movement practice.

We plan to continue to act professionally to meet what appears to have become our primary professional raison d'etre - enabling others/protecting others health, safety and well-being through movement, and particularly through application of the NMAHM® - as we still have found nothing that surpasses it.

We continue to recognise the potential benefit of moving forward as a united group, and are willing to continue to work with like-minded professionals to do so. This is one part of the intended function and purpose of MANAS.

Student/Practitioner Important Notices