Warning:  There's a bit of reading to be done on this.

This case does not involve sexual acts, but rather the practice of a physical therapy called reiki, and whether said practice was in fact massage which requires a license.

The defendent was acquitted, but it was under a law that had been recently amended, so this could be a pyrhic victory.

I've only just skimmed this, but will want to go back and study it a bit more.

(still not a lawyer)

Good one, in any case.

I used to go to massage semminars and volunteered to be the subject of a reiki exhibition.

FBSM it was not, but I did enjoy the gentle rocking and touching, done fully clothed by both parties.

I guess it could be considered the Zen of massage.

So, it is taught, to one extent or another, but to license such an innocent and non-evasive practice would be to beg the question, what does the state regulate next, back scratching?

less the statute is also amended to require licensure.  But since Reiki is not so much taught...  How can it be tested & licensed?   Big brother gotta have his hands in everything.

I know this was a Utah case but in Florida, if you practice Reiki and charge money, you must have a license (massage, doctor, nurse, physical therapist, etc.).  If doesn't matter what it's called (body rub, tantra, back scratching) if you touch the body and charge money, legally you need to be licensed.