Continuing Education Courses

These courses are designed to meet the continuing education requirements of professional massage therapists; however, they are open to anyone with an interest in massage / healing arts. They serve as an introduction to the Okazaki style of Seifhukujitsu. As with all MAA Courses, permission of the instructor is a prerequisite. Enrollment is limited to 20 students per instructor / supervisor per class.. Inquire for scheduling / availability or for groups desiring the courses at their location.

Martial Arts Academy, Inc. is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a Continuing Education Approved Provider (#450522-07).

View Availability and Registration for All Courses.

Introduction to the Okazaki Long-Life Restorative Massage Kata (Form) Part 1

Number of continuing education hours: 13

Length of course: 2 days

Course Description

This course of instruction is an introduction to the Okazaki style of traditional Japanese deep-tissue, restorative massage therapy / Seifhukujitsu by means of the Okazaki Long-Life Massage Kata (form), and provides the starting point and foundation of the students theoretical and technical massage knowledge within the Okazaki system of Seifhukujitsu. Part 1 teaches approximately half the sequence. Seifhukujitsu is the long-life restoration therapy practiced and taught by Henry Seishiro Okazaki at his clinic and dojo in Honolulu, Hawaii during the first half of the 20th century. Seifhukujitsu is most accurately rendered in English as “Restoration Therapy” or “Restorative Massage Therapy” which reflects the overall spirit and goal of the system: to return/restore the injured or diseased person to an original state of well-being.

General seifhukujitsu principles are:

Balance the body - The therapy focuses on the major energy flow lines used in other methods based upon TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) theory such as acupuncture, acupressure, tui na, shiatsu, etc.

Break Down/Build Up - The therapy is a deep-tissue massage that releases lacto-carbonic acid. The body then rebuilds its tissue to a stronger state over time.

The Okazaki Long-Life Massage Kata (form) is formulated upon these principles / theoretical foundations. The technique of Seifhukujitsu is to primarily use the crux of the elbow rather than the hands. This is done with an ironing and rocking motion and not rubbing. The Okazaki Long-Life Massage Kata (form) is an application of over 57 specific techniques organized into a distinctive and unique full-body massage that provides the theoretical and practical foundation for the remainder of the system. It is the basis for a mentally and physically relaxing, deep tissue massage as part of a wellness lifestyle. It is the original sports massage. It is an excellent vehicle for initial assessment in medical massage. It is the application of TCM theory and the fundamental Seifhukujitsu principles resulting in an energy balancing, and is the necessary prerequisite to the application of the Okazaki style stretching / alignment techniques.

Learning Outcomes

The participant will be able to: perform the first half of the Basic Okazaki Long-Life Restorative Massage Kata (Form) which consists of the methodical application of over 25 distinct techniques; explain at least 2 fundamental aspects of the underlying theoretical basis; explain, discuss, and describe the differences and similarities between an energy explanatory schemata versus the Western allopathic explanatory schemata; discuss the martial art – healing art connection; and be able to define and explain Seifhukujitsu.

Cost

Tuition: $275

DATES & REGISTRATION

Introduction to the Okazaki Long-Life Restorative Massage Kata (Form) Part 2

Number of continuing education hours: 13

Length of course: 2 days

Course Description

This course of instruction is an introduction to the Okazaki style of traditional Japanese deep-tissue, restorative massage therapy / Seifhukujitsu by means of the Okazaki Long-Life Massage Kata (form), and provides the starting point and foundation of the students theoretical and technical massage knowledge within the Okazaki system of Seifhukujitsu. Part 2 teaches the second half of the sequence. Seifhukujitsu is the long-life restoration therapy practiced and taught by Henry Seishiro Okazaki at his clinic and dojo in Honolulu, Hawaii during the first half of the 20th century. Seifhukujitsu is most accurately rendered in English as “Restoration Therapy” or “Restorative Massage Therapy” which reflects the overall spirit and goal of the system: to return/restore the injured or diseased person to an original state of well-being. General seifhukujitsu principles are:

Break Down/Build Up - The therapy is a deep-tissue massage that releases lacto-carbonic acid. The body then rebuilds its tissue to a stronger state over time.

The Okazaki Long-Life Massage Kata (form) is formulated upon these principles / theoretical foundations. The technique of Seifhukujitsu is to primarily use the crux of the elbow rather than the hands. This is done with an ironing and rocking motion and not rubbing. The Okazaki Long-Life Massage Kata (form) is an application of over 57 specific techniques organized into a distinctive and unique full-body massage that provides the theoretical and practical foundation for the remainder of the system. It is the basis for a mentally and physically relaxing, deep tissue massage as part of a wellness lifestyle. It is the “original” sports massage. It is an excellent vehicle for initial assessment in medical massage. It is the application of TCM theory and the fundamental Seifhukujitsu principles resulting in an energy balancing, and is the necessary prerequisite to the application of the Okazaki style stretching / alignment techniques.

Learning Outcomes

The participant will be able to: perform the second half of the Basic Okazaki Long-Life Restorative Massage Kata (Form) which consists of the methodical application of over 30 distinct techniques; explain at least 2 practical applications relating to the underlying theoretical basis / general seifhukujitsu principles; further explain, discuss, and describe the differences and similarities between an energy explanatory schemata versus the Western allopathic explanatory schemata; discuss the application of the knowledge derived from an understanding of the martial art – healing art connection; and be able to further define and explain Seifhukujitsu.

Cost

Tuition: $275

DATES & REGISTRATION

Okazaki Style Traditional Japanese Basic Stretching / Alignment Techniques

Number of continuing education hours: 12

Length of course: 2 days

Prerequisites: CE Courses #1&2

Course Description

This course of instruction is an introduction to the Okazaki Style Traditional Japanese Basic Stretching / Alignment Techniques, and provides the starting point and foundation of the students theoretical and technical knowledge within this part of the Okazaki system of Seifhukujitsu. Seifhukujitsu is the long-life restoration therapy practiced and taught by Henry Seishiro Okazaki at his clinic and dojo in Honolulu, Hawaii during the first half of the 20th century. In a broad sense, Seifhukujitsu is most accurately rendered in English as “Restoration Therapy” or “Restorative Massage Therapy” which reflects the overall spirit and goal of the system: to return/restore the injured or diseased person to an original state of well-being. However, Seifhukujitsu literally means “alignment and restoration techniques.” This course is designed to give the student a basic knowledge of the most common alignment conditions and problems / pathologies that he/she will encounter in clinical practice. The student will learn the definitions, signs, and symptoms, both in terms of Eastern and Western explanatory schemata of these conditions / problems, which stretching / alignment technique is indicated for each condition or problem, and appropriate courses of action. The course will also cover universal precautions, contraindications, and specialty considerations in the application of these techniques. The famous stretching / alignment techniques that are a major component of the Dan Zan Ryu / Okazaki style of restorative massage therapy are one of the most unique features of this system and one of the major reasons for achieving successful results. The proper application of these techniques which produce an energy and myoskeletal alignment is designed to result in a state of physical, mental, and energy balancing / harmony / equilibrium.

Learning Outcomes

The participant will be able to: perform at least 10 Okazaki Style Traditional Japanese Basic Stretching / Alignment Techniques; explain the fundamental aspects of the underlying theoretical basis; explain when these techniques are contraindicated; discuss, define, and differentiate between chiropractic and the Okazaki methods of stretching / alignment; and be able to explain and define the importance of these techniques in the Seifhukujitsu program.

Cost

Tuition: $400.00

Click Here for Course Dates, Locations, and Registration

Gary Lescak began his study of massage in 1967 in conjunction with the beginning of his martial arts education. As part of learning Dan Zan Ryu ju-jitsu, he has studied the Okazaki style of traditional Japanese deep-tissue, restorative massage therapy as part of the broader Seifhukujitsu program of instruction which also includes resuscitation techniques (kappo/katsu), specific massage techniques for specific ailments, bone setting (Sekkotsu), and lomi-lomi (Hawaiian massage). Gary holds the title of Professor which, by definition, indicates a complete knowledge of the entire system (ryu) as well as the ability to teach its contents. He is also a certified Okazaki style restoration therapy instructor (1997) from the Kodenkan International Martial Arts Inc. of Costa Rica, and a certified Senior Advanced Instructor by an original Okazaki student with over 60 years experience. He is currently the Director & Principal Instructor at the Martial Arts Academy School of Massage, where he teaches the first and only State Licensing Board "Recognized" Massage Therapy Educational Program in the Okazaki Style of Restorative Massage Therapy in the United States.

1. Participants must register and pay in advance.
2. The deadline for registration is 3 days prior to the course.
3. If the provider must cancel for any reason at any time, all payments will be refunded by direct mail as soon as practicable.
4. If the participant must cancel 1 - 7 days prior to the scheduled seminar, tuition is nonrefundable and no transfers/changes are allowed. If the participant must cancel 8 - 29 days prior to the seminar the tuition will be nonrefundable, a $50.00 administration fee will be charged, and the participant will have 1 year from the date of the seminar to use the remaining balance as a credit toward another seminar by this provider. If the participant cancels with 30 days or more notice prior to the event, tuition will be refunded minus $50.00 administration fee. Cancellation and rebooking must be made in writing.
5. Eligibility for participation and number of participants is always subject to final approval by the Principal Instructor.

All students will be required to sign a release / waiver of liability to participate in any Martial Arts Academy, Inc. programs.