AJJF Massage Certification Program
Okazaki Restorative Massage
Module I

A 150-hour course
leading to certification as a
MASSAGE TECHNICIAN

Introduction

The American Judo & Jujitsu Federation is pleased to announce the 5th Southern California National Massage Certification Program in the Art and Science of the Okazaki Restorative Massage. Professor Henry S. Okazaki, the founder of Danzan Ryu Jujitsu (Hawaiian style of Jujitsu) and his school, the Kodenkan (School of Ancient Tradition) in Honolulu, were the foremost exponents of the Japanese healing art named Seifukujitsu. Professor Okazaki was the first to teach non-Japanese both his Jujitsu and his healing art. His fame as an extraordinary healer spanned over 30 years with patients coming to him with ``incurable'' nerve, bone, and muscular disorders. Among his more famous clients were President Franklin Roosevelt, Olympian Johnny Weismuller, and actors George Burns and Charlie Chaplin.

Professor Okazaki ran the Nikko Sanitarium where he treated his clients and also taught his students Seifukujitsu. In 1980 the AJJF established a National Massage Certification Program to preserve Professor Okazaki's method and to expand public knowledge of his unique system of Restorative Therapy.

Mission and Objectives

The Danzan Ryu Seifukujitsu Institute was established for the benefit of those students who have a desire to become competent in the practice of the Oriental/Hawaiian healing art form. This Institute is open to all qualified persons, regardless of their martial arts involvement. Like our practice of Danzan Ryu Jujitsu, proficiency in the Okazaki Massage requires focus, intent, balance, strength, sensitivity, and above all, health. The pervasive attitude underlying our training and practice is Kokua, a Hawaiian term meaning ``to give without thought of reward.''

Objectives of students attending this program are varied. Many students wish to apply their massage skills in a professional setting, using massage as a primary or secondary source of income. Many wish to utilize their knowledge in their Jujitsu or other martial art dojo. Whatever the reason for learning massage, immense satisfaction can be discovered through the giving of one's personal touch to another human being.

Courses Description and Format

Participants in our course are taught a beautifully choreographed sequence of techniques known as the ``Okazaki Restorative Massage.'' This form comprises the foundation of Seifukujitsu. Graduates of this course receive certification as a Massage Technician. The course of study consists of 150 hours of instruction in seven monthly weekends beginning on Fri. 6:00 PM and ending Sun 5:00 PM. Make-up sessions and homework assignments are arranged on an individual basis for students who miss a weekend.

Curriculum

The curriculum is divided into the following classroom instructional sections:

Technique (90 hours)

Intense hands-on training and demonstration in the technique and practice of Okazaki Restorative Massage (ORM). As time allows, passive exercise, stretching, and other techniques will be introduced.

Anatomy and Physiology (25 hours)

Students are introduced to basic anatomical structures and physiological functions of the human body including muscular, skeletal, nervous, lymphatic, and other systems as they relate to ORM.

Oriental Theory

Introduces the anatomy and physiology of Chinese medicine including Qi (Chi), blood, Jing, the Channels, Points, Zang/Fu, et cetera. There will also be principles of health and longevity including Qi Gong, exercise, basic food principles, and other principles.

Professional Standards

Covers legal regulations and provides guidelines for the ethical practice of massage therapy. Also introduces the fundamentals of establishing, promoting, marketing, and advertising a successful massage business.

Admission Standards

Admission requirements to the Okazaki Restorative Massage Program include:

Minimum 18 years of age
Current AJJF membership (or concurrent application)
Ability to read, write, and speak English
Desire to learn
Recommendation of a sponsoring Sensei

Applications will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis. The class will be limited to 20 students.

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete the 150 hour course and pass a comprehensive final exam which is administered during the final weekend session. This exam includes written, oral, and practical sections. Any section can be retaken if failed.

Certification

Upon satisfactory completion of the course the graduate will receive a certificate with the title of Massage Technician in the Okazaki Restorative Massage. Certificates are valid for a period of three years. Certificates may be renewed by presenting proof of 30 hours of continuing education in massage.

Authorization and Standards

This certification program has been authorized in conformity with the rules and regulations of the AJJF, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation. Educational standards of this program are in compliance with those set forth by the California Administrative Code Section 18829.

The Danzan Ryu Seifukujitsu Institute of Southern California is a participating member of the Danzan Ryu Seifukujitsu Institute and conforms with national standards set thereby. In conformity with these standards, graduates of this program qualify to participate in Module II and Module III Seifukujitsu courses leading to a 300-hour Massage Practitioner certification and a 500-hour Massage Therapist certificate. The American Judo and Jujitsu Federation Program operates the Okazaki Restorative Massage Institute, a school giving instruction in the art and science of the Japanese Restorative Massage. The American Judo & Jujitsu Federation is a California non-profit educational public benefit organization, incorporated in 1958. Massage education at this institute is offered under California Educational Code 94303(e), which exempts certain organizations from licensing by the State of California. The Institute has been authorized by the AJJF Board of Directors to pursue approval by the State as a massage school, and is in the process of doing so.

The State of California does not regulate the practice of massage. It only regulates post-secondary educational institutions, and through these requirements for massage schools, sets forth certain minimum educational standards for massage. The 150-hour Okazaki Restorative Massage Technician Program exceeds such educational standards set forth by Administrative Code Section 18818(f). To date, no graduate of our program has been denied a local massage license by any city or county in California. Any massage therapist claiming to be California-State certified would be making a fraudulent claim.