By: Denny Waxman; Founder & Director of Strengthening Health Institute, Acclaimed Author, Wellness Educator, Health Counselor, Previous Kushi Institute Student and Former Director of the Kushi Institute.
I was quite saddened to hear the recent news of the closing of the Kushi Institute. Meeting Aveline and Michio Kushi changed my life. I studied with them personally because it was before the Kushi Institute officially formed. Their friendship and teachings guided me early in my quest for knowledge. That knowledge of macrobiotics and basic life foundation will continue to guide the rest of my life. They were my spiritual parents and helped to guide every aspect of my life.
Below are a few images from that period of my life, which was made more complete through my introduction to Kushi macrobiotic practice:
I was a fortunate member of the first teaching groups at the Kushi Institute in Boston, London, and Europe. I was also responsible for the operations of the Kushi Institute in London from 1981-1983. That experience changed my understanding of the practice of macrobiotics through interactions with people from Western and Eastern Europe.
In the beginning, the spirit of macrobiotics attracted most people because of social change and personal transformation. The emphasis was on creating healthy and happy individuals, families, and communities to lead naturally into a healthy society. The original passion evolved over time to focus more on personal health, which changed the nature of macrobiotic practice.
Now, is the right time for macrobiotics to return to its original spirit of personal, social, and environmental transformation. Michio created a unique curriculum that supported both personal change and transformation as well as recovery and health. As a result, he spoke clearly about five areas of study essential to guide one’s life.
These areas of study, understanding, and practice are necessary to successfully guide one’s life and for guiding others. Each original area of study is natural and anyone can learn, do, benefit, and gain insight from them. This model of education is endlessly adaptable and became the inspiration for the strengthening health macrobiotic approach.
Michio created a strong group of teachers to guide the Kushi Institutes across the globe. Many of these people later moved on to create their own endeavors in macrobiotics and beyond. These basic teachings inspired all of us to become who we are today. His approach was far reaching, and continues to have an endless number of applications.
Macrobiotic philosophy prepares us for all possible outcomes due to the basic principle that everything changes. As a result, it should be easy for us to embrace the closure of the Kushi Institute. However, it has still been a difficult time for many in our community (including myself).
I understand that it must have been a time for change within the Kushi Institute. But, for me, this closing represents the closing of a very important chapter in my life. I also often wonder how many thousands of people have been touched by the teachings of Michio and Aveline Kushi.
All of us at the Strengthening Health Institute understand that that these are currently difficult times for many in the macro community. We would like to offer our services to help alleviate stress associated with the quick closure of KI and we have developed a plan.
First, we are willing to provide scholarships for any KI students that had scheduled courses that were not completed. This means that we will give 10% off of the price of any of our macrobiotic courses if it is your first course here at SHI. Simply use the code: ‘KI 10%’ to redeem at checkout.
And, if there is anything we can do to help transition, or if you would like to read more about our macrobiotic institute, please consider reading Denny Waxman’s book, The Complete Macrobiotic Diet. The code is good for the book as well.
I would like to formally acknowledge the Kushi Institute and family on being such important influences on my life. Furthermore, they have touched the lives of many people who benefited from interactions with the Kushi Institute. It is our goal at the Strengthening Health Institute to share Michio’s basic macrobiotic philosophies. I will personally do my best to continue to lead the globe in health education through a macrobiotic diet and lifestyle.
Finally, I would like to wish all the Kushi family the very best in all future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Denny Waxman
Founder & Director, The Strengthening Health Institute
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Sit Down to Enjoy Food
Hi
I met Michio and Aveline in Brokline at the Kushi Institute where I spent the 1982 summer: they were great and I continued on my path using the Yin and Yang they taught me.
I met great friends there.
I would have loved for the institute to become bigger as the years grew.
I am a Psychiatrist here in Massachusetts.
I love to practice the balance between Yin and Yang.
Hi,, sorry to hear that news,,, I was looking to start learning more about this field specially during what the whole world is going through.
I was planning to start even studying it and convert my major since many of beliefs were changed during the last few years.
Please advise if I can start with any recommend institute after the closure of KI
Regards
Hello Fatma. Please contact us here at SHI Macrobiotics. We would love to assist you. Our office number is 215-238-9212.
I have attended 2 Kushi Institute summer intensives, and my daughter and husband attended the last one with me. I loved every minute of learning, and was so impressed by the multitude of workshops every hour of every day. It was hard to choose, but we always shared the learning. Now, my daughter is a Registered Dietitian, and the Kushi Institute and our local teacher, Rosemary Traill, inspired her career decision. Now, to use her degree in a holistic, macrobiotic manner is her next challenge. Attending the Kushi Institute’s Summer Conferences has been a highlight of my family’s life, and I am so sorry that it is no more.
Dear Macro family,
I hope this meets every macrobiotic member of human society in good health, and happy spirits.
Cornelia-san and Herman Aihara were
most loving parent souls to me. This was in Chico, California, when they very kindly had me staying at their institute there. Daily I was learning what devotional healing through a mindful yet very delicious diet is. We had kudzu with umeboshi for almost every morning. We made of course brown rice, vegetables and pickle for mid day meals. Cornelia had her barrels of rice bran which she made the daikon pickles in. We did a few exercises, and the main duty I had was to help edit George Ohsawa’s original book.
Had I lived on the East coast, I would have met the Kushi’s, but I totally admired and came to love dearly my Aihara family. (Cornelia’s mochi was other worldly as everything she cooked.)
This is a tribute to the wonderful East West history in America, that needs to spread a bit more gradually gradually though it may be. Our generous Japanese preceptors in this truly significant area of diet will never ever be forgotten. (If anyone has contact information about the Aihara children, boy & girl, I don’t recall their first names, at your convenience you could give me an email heads up. Thank you for this news.
It has been a number of years now since I attended Michio’s Memorial Service. Reading this today, January 12, 2021, fills me with emotion and gratitude. Thank you, Denny for acknowledging Michio Kushi as the great leader and teacher of health and balance that he strived to be. I loved his kindness, humor and spiritual direction. Thank you for honoring the lovely and beautiful Aveline, and Michio for their selfless work across the globe. And thank you, for carrying the torch!
Marshall Ballou