Martial Arts Academy, Inc.
Okazaki-Style Restorative Massage Therapy
By a Senior Advanced Instructor w/ 47 Years of Experience!
OUR APPROACH
Our main focus is medical massage. We have worked successfully with clients ranging in age from 4 to 90 years old who have come to us with a wide variety of problems including migraine headaches, sciatica, general back and neck pain, fibromyalgia, carpel tunnel syndrome / tendonitis, etc. We are experienced in pre & post natal massage and long-term therapy for the elderly. We are results oriented and will not take you as a client unless we feel we can help you.
Quite simply, the overwhelming majority of our clients have soft tissue based problems; an area in which Western medicine falls short. A large number of our clients with whom we have had success have been in pain for substantial lengths of time (as long as 25 years) and many have exhausted all Western medicine options before coming to us. We are a drugless therapy; an alternative to pharmaceutically based healthcare.
We are an on-going therapy program. Our therapy program is a 5 faceted approach, custom tailored for each client. It is, essentially, an Asian / energy based approach assembled by us and reflecting our (combined) over 78 years of experience. The program / approach consists of the following components:
1. Acupuncture / acupressure – This is mainly used for pain relief and to combat inflammation.
2. Seifhukujitsu / Okazaki style, traditional Japanese deep-tissue massage / tui na – This encompasses a wide range and large number of specific deep tissue loosening / relaxing techniques primarily based upon Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory.
3. Stretching / alignment techniques – Once the tissue is sufficiently relaxed, these techniques allow the body to naturally align itself.
4. Specific exercises for specific problems – The client is taught a progression of specific, mainly stretching, exercises that target his or her specific problems. These exercises come primarily from Chinese martial arts, chi gung, and yoga.
5. Lifestyle assessment and modification – This is an in-depth, on-going assessment to identify the client’s real (not merely symptomatic) problem; as well as an on-going educational process to inform and educate the client about good habits that can be developed and bad habits that can be eliminated.
Most people come to us initially with a medical problem; after their problem is “solved” or becomes manageable, most of our client’s continue to come on a “maintenance” schedule. They have learned to appreciate the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine: the answer is to come so you don’t hurt, instead of only coming when you do hurt. Prevention is the best medicine.
Gary & Kathy Lescak
(see Kathy's bio at Power of Touch Massage / this site)
The Okazaki method was assembled by an immigrant, Henry Seishiro Okazaki, in Hawaii in the early part of the 20th century. He was responsible for gathering, cataloging, and preserving a vast number of traditional Japanese techniques accumulated through his studies of both healing arts and martial arts by his systematic organization and teaching of these arts. Master Okazaki established an international reputation for his work.
Education/Training
Gary began his study of martial arts and massage in 1967. 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), stretching / alignment techniques, specific massage regimens 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 Senior Advanced Instructor, awarded 1997 after 30 years of study, from the Kodenkan International Martial Arts Inc. of Costa Rica.
He has studied and learned by means of the traditional master / disciple apprenticeship method; until very recently, these healing arts were surrounded by secrecy and only taught to black belt holders in Dan Zan Ryu jujitsu. Some of his main healing arts instructors follow:
Prof. Patrick Browne: over 40 years of experience; certified Okazaki massage therapy senior advanced instructor / acupuncturist / 7th degree black belt in Dan Zan Ryu.
Prof. Ramon Ancho: an original Okazaki student with over 60 years experience; certified Okazaki massage therapy senior advanced instructor / acupuncturist / 10th degree black belt, and Founder of the Kodenkan International Martial Arts Inc. of Costa Rica.
Prof. Bud Estes: an original Okazaki student with over 50 years experience; certified Okazaki massage therapy senior advanced instructor / 10th degree black belt.
Grandmaster George Ling Hu: over 60 years experience; acupuncturist / master teacher of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Prof. Bill Beach: over 60 years experience; certified Okazaki massage therapy senior advanced instructor / 10th degree black belt, and Founder of The Hawaiian Jiu-Jitsu System, Inc., a national organization dedicated to preserving the Okazaki legacy.
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Gerontology, University of Georgia, (1983).
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Social Sciences, University of Illinois, (1981).
Master of Science (M.S.) in Leisure Studies, University of Illinois, (1980).
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Modern Languages, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, (1974).
Bio
Gary has studied, practiced, and taught massage since 1967.
1999-Present: Gary is a senior therapist/co-owner of the very successful Power of Touch Massage medical massage clinic in Metter, Ga. He has had success helping people with sciatica, chronic neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and a wide range of other physical problems and ailments.
1999-Present: Gary is the owner / director / principal Instructor of The Martial Arts Academy, Inc. where he provides professional, advanced martial arts and massage instruction. The MAA, Inc. is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a massage therapy Continuing Education Approved Provider (#450522-07) that provides instruction required for professional license renewal, and Gary is approved as the Principal Instructor for all programs.
1999-2012: Gary has owned, operated and was the principal instructor for a massage school; he has recently sold The Martial Arts Academy, Inc. School of Massage that he founded and where he taught the first and only State Licensing Board “Recognized” Massage Therapy Educational Program leading to professional licensure in the Okazaki Style of Restorative Massage Therapy in the United States. In order to teach this 738 hour Course, Gary’s instructor credentials were examined by members of the Georgia State Board of Massage Therapy, and he personally was approved as an instructor in all areas of the basic 500 hour program required for state professional licensure as part of his school approval. In addition, he has taught a 540 hour Intermediate Course and a 540 hour Advanced Course in Okazaki Restorative Massage Therapy that was approved by the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (NPEC).
Memberships
Former Executive Director, The Hawaiian Jiu-Jitsu System, Inc., a
national organization dedicated to preserving the Okazaki legacy.
Certified member, Associated Bodywork and Massage
Professionals (ABMP).
Other Languages
English, Italian, German.
Payments Accepted
Cash or check.
Hours:By appointment
Cost/Session
1 hr. = $125.00 11/2 hr. = $185.00
License:GA MT#000005; NC LMBT#10511
Practice Areas/Issues Treated
 Massage Therapy
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Online / Video / Teletherapy
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Acupressure
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Orthopedic Massage
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Aromatherapy
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Pregnancy Massage
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Ayurvedic Bodywork
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Reflexology
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Bodywork
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Reiki
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Corporate Chair Massage
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Seniors and Elder Care
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COVID-19-Related Issues
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Shiatsu
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Deep Tissue Massage
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Sports Massage
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Geriatric Massage
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Swedish Massage
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Medical Massage
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Thai Yoga Massage
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Myofascial Release
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Yoga Therapy
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Neuromuscular Massage
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Licenses/Certifications
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Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT)
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Geriatric Massage
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