Macrobiotic Education at French Meadows

carl teaching The major emphasis of French Meadows Summer Camp is education.

The daily schedule includes lectures, cooking classes, workshops, and exercise classes. All sessions encourage participation, dialogue, and questions. At least one session each day is designed specifically for beginners.

Click here to view, copy, or print a copy of the 2013 class schedule.

Click here to view, copy, or print a copy of the 2013 full lecture book with class descriptions.

Camp schedules are subject to change at any time without notice.

Presenters for the 2013 Camp

Lino Stanchich is a Licensed Nutritionist, Kushi Institute Certified Macrobiotic Educator and Counselor, and Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist with over 40 years experience. He is a respected author and teacher of the macrobiotic diet, philosophy, and lifestyle, along with energy exercises (Chi Kung), shiatsu massage, Do-In self-massage, and Conscious Eating Techniques. Mr. Stanchich received the prestigious Aveline Kushi Award, from Michio Kushi in 2006. Author of the popular books, Power Eating Program, You Are How You Eat, Macrobiotic Healing Secrets, and The Natural Bladder Control Program, Mr. Stanchich has created "Healing Mealtime Music" audio, and the dynamic self-massage and exercise video "Energize Yourself,” as well as the laughter therapy audio, “Laugh for the Health of It!” In conjunction with Sean DiMaria, he has recently produced the popular audio, “ Using Your Mind to Heal Your Body,” to assist people in creating positive and dynamic mental affirmations for periods of meditation while eating. Lino Stanchich has appeared on a wide variety of international radio and television shows. See his website: http://www.greatlifeglobal.com.

David and Cynthia Briscoe founded Macrobiotics America and Macrobiotics Global, the first macrobiotic educational programs to offer multi-media distance learning courses via the internet. David is one of the most experienced macrobiotic teachers and counselors in the world today. Since 1972 he has gained expertise in every facet of macrobiotics, including personal practice, teaching, counseling, professional cooking, restaurant ownership, and center development. David travels and teaches throughout North America and overseas, speaking to medical and lay audiences and as a featured presenter at the major macrobiotic camps and conferences, including The Kushi Institute Summer Conference, French Meadows Summer Camp, The Fall Health Classic, and The Whole World Summer School in Belgium. Cynthia is one of America's most respected macrobiotic cooking instructors. Her cooking is as delicious as it gets. Her cooking instruction is admired for its clarity, patience and gentleness. Cynthia is also highly regarded for her insights into motherhood, advice on macrobiotic pregnancy and delivery, and her earthy and considerate approach to women's health in general. More information may be found at: www.macroamerica.com.

Mary-Lore-2011 Mary J. Lore is an internationally recognized leader, public speaker and executive mentor, and author of the multiple award-winning book Managing Thought: Think Differently, Think Powerfully, Achieve New Levels of Success and audio book Managing Thought: How Do Your Thoughts Rule Your World?®. Previous winners of Mary’s most recent book awards include Eckhart Tolle, the Dahli Lama, and Deepak Chopra. Mary is the founder and CEO of Managing Thought, LLC, which helps individuals and organizations develop self-awareness and change how they think and conduct business to attain true, long-lasting success. More information may be found at: www.managingthought.com.

Ronald Koetzsch, PhD teaches Philosophy, World Religions, Nutrition and ESL at Rudolf Steiner College, and coordinates a volunteer Recorder Ensemble. He is author of Macrobiotics Beyond Food and Macrobiotics Yesterday and Today. Ronald is also internationally known as a comedian, offering one-man shows of interest to Anthroposophists in search of humor. Harvard University, MA and PhD in World Religions (conc. East Asia), 1967, 1981; Princeton University, AB, Religion, 1965; Kyoto National University, Kyoto, Japan, 1968, 1974-76, Japanese Culture and Religion; Anthroposophical Study Year, Dornach, Switzerland, 1989-90; Editor, Renewal: A Journal for Waldorf Education, 1991-present; Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, instructor, 1969-70, 1981-85; East West Journal, staff writer, 1972-1995.

Sheri DeMaris, M.Ed is a holistic health counselor who has taught whole foods/macrobiotic cooking at various restaurants and cooking schools throughout the United States and Europe. She continues to host, produce and direct a local alternative health TV show, "Tea With Sheri." She has also produced and hosted a cooking DVD for the network, a one hour documentary on the history of natural foods and a number of kids' cooking videos. Sheri is an adjunct professor in the Alternative Health Program for medical students at Hahnemann University, Philadelphia and has been a full-time counselor for 26 years. Sheri holds a Masters in Counseling from the College of William and Mary, VA, and a postmasters in Counseling from Villanova University, PA. Sheri is a graduate of the Level 4 Certification Program at the Kushi Institute. She has studied macrobiotic health counseling in Lier, Belgium and has been trained as a "Food is Elementary" educator and a shiatsu practitioner. Sheri DeMaris is currently a full-time Guidance Counselor at Valley Forge Middle School, Wayne, PA. Sheri offers cooking classes, lectures and seminars as well as individual counseling and cooking instruction. Sheri helped to launch the first 8-week cooking series recently at UCSD Integrative School of Medicine at Casa de Luz in San Diego this past summer and was featured on a morning news program in San Diego demonstrating macrobiotic recipes. Her website is: www.teawithsheri.com.

Bob Ligon worked at the Vega Study Center and George Ohsawa Macrobiotic Foundation from 1989-1993 and was the editor of Macrobiotics Today from 1992-2000. He studied acupuncture and herbology graduating from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego in 1998. He integrates his knowledge of macrobiotics and Chinese Medicine in his diet, lifestyle counseling, and life coaching. Currently, Bob practices Traditional Chinese Medicine in Akron, Ohio.

David Jackson has been practicing Macrobiotics since 1977. He began in San Diego and then studied with Roy Steevensz at The East West Center in Los Angeles. He also studied at the Kushi Institute in Becket, Ma and received his macrobiotic counseling certification there. In 1991 David moved to Prescott Arizona to raise his family of 3 children along with his wife. He continues to teach and do personal counseling throughout the state with monthly trips to Flagstaff, Phoenix and Tucson. He is also available for phone counseling. Inquires can be made through the contacts page or by telephone. More information can be found on his website: www.sisalt.com.

Kaare Bursell has been a macrobiotic and anthroposophic student for over 30 years. He has lectured many times at French Meadows and is the author of The End of Medicine. Kaare is co-founder, along with David Jackson, of the popular Pacific Macrobiotic Conferences held in March and September each year. He lives with his family in Carson City, Nevada. His website is: www.alchemycalpages.com.

Sanae Suzuki is a Whole Health Macrobiotic Counselor for people and pets, co-owner of a fabulous organic vegan macrobiotics restaurant called Seed Kitchen www.seedkitchen.com in Venice, California, and author of two vegan macrobiotic cookbooks. A survivor of ovarian cancer and a near-fatal car accident, Sanae overcame both of these extreme life challenges through a macrobiotic diet and lifestyle. After her recoveries, she has been dedicating her life to teaching cooking, nutrition macrobiotic counseling, Do-in exercise, meditation, and a sustainable lifestyle, in addition to her healing shiatsu work. Her desire is to help plant a seed of physical, intellectual, and spiritual happiness that will flourish within each person she meets.

chuck-head-2 Chuck Lowery is co-founder of Pacific Bakery, a yeast-free organic bakery in Oceanside, California. Twenty-five years ago, he was inspired by the words of Herman Aihara and created a macrobiotic food business with modern Americans in mind. Chuck's personal journey through macrobiotics led him to learn about naturally leavened breads made without any sweeteners, eggs, dairy, yeast, baking soda or baking powder. After retiring from Pacific Bakery, Chuck was elected to the Oceanside City Council which he describes as "...a grueling experience that was thankfully brief." To celebrate his recent retirement, Chuck has decided to offer his personal chapati baking workshop at French Meadows this year. (See more class details by clicking here.)

Carl and Julia Ferré. Carl Ferre began macrobiotic practice in 1975 and has been studying, practicing, and teaching macrobiotic thinking and lifestyle ever since. He is author of Pocket Guide to Macrobiotics and Acid Alkaline Companion, president of the George Ohsawa Macrobiotic Foundation, editor ofMacrobiotics Today magazine, and director of the French Meadows camp. He enjoys music and hiking. Julia Ferre is a regular at camp, having been involved for many years in the pre-camp preparations, menu planning, teaching cooking classes, and coordinating the Children’s Program. Julia is the author of Basic Macrobiotic Cooking, 20th Anniversary Edition and the newly released French Meadows Cookbook. Julia leads healing/energy circles and offers Reiki treatments.

Mike and Maria Chen. According to my younger daughter Flavia, “Mike Chen started playing peewee diplomatic service at the age of two and began practicing macrobiotics twenty-odd years later. He is a member of both CIMO (France) and GOMF (USA). At present, he enjoys making mung bean soup w/yellow onion and mung bean sprouts w/sesame oil and scallion. He will also have the occasional mung bean fun (bean thread) with vegetables. For him, 100% wheat soba is an acquired taste; he prefers the buckwheat.” Happily married (‘ever after,’ says my wife Maria), I have two wonderful daughters, Julianna and Flavia. The family agrees that I became a nicer guy by avoiding vinegar and not driving a car. All thanks to George Ohsawa’s Zen Macrobiotics!

Kerry Loeb has been a Shiatsu instructor for almost 20 years and began his studies in 1985. He apprenticed simultaneously with Shizuko Yamamoto, Patrick McCarty, and Edward Spencer over a seven-year period. He has taught Shiatsu classes at French Meadows since 1992.

karen-garvey-tent Karen Garvey was first introduced to yoga while in graduate school at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, where she received her MFA in acting. Karen began her formal training at Yoga Works in Los Angeles under the direction of Maty Ezraty and Lisa Walford (YW Teacher Training and Advanced Teacher Training). She studied yoga therapy with Jasmine Lieb, and assisted her for 2 years. After that, she entered American Viniyoga Institute’s yoga therapy program with Gary and Mirka Kraftsow. Karen incorporates Viniyoga, Iyengar, Ashtanga, and other traditions into her own teaching and places great importance on the therapeutic use of yoga, as she works with many individuals with injuries or special needs. She has been teaching for 9 years and has a private practice in Los Angeles.

Shirley Tung was born in Phoenix, is widowed, and has 2 grown sons. She has a BS in Nursing, a MA in Pastoral Ministry, and a MA in Feminist Spirituality. Shirley has worked in medical/surgical nursing, emergency room nursing, office nursing, as a porta-medic (insurance physicals), in retail businesses, and as a specialist in adoptions and foster care in Arizona. She is currently Manager of Real Estate and Coordinator of Refugee and Social Justice Issues. Shirley is an activist in political issues, frequently doing civil disobedience. She has taken classes for 17 years in Tai Chi and is now doing “weapons and 2 persons sets.” Shirley is a certified teacher of qi gong which can be found on the website of Master Hong and is also certified in Yang style Tai Chi with Kai Yung Tung, L.A. through David Block in Phoenix. She has taught Tai Chi and Qi Gong at Phoenix College and Sun City groups, and at Camelback Inn Resort.

michael-bauce Michael Bauce has studied macrobiotics since 1988. He was a main chef at both the Macrobiotic Grocery and Learning Center in Oakland, California from 1990-1995 and Manzanita Restaurant in Oakland from 2006-2009. He has conducted private and group cooking classes at youth centers, schools, senior centers, summer camps, hospitals, and Farmers' Markets. Michael has been teaching cooking in a Berkeley elementary school as part of the California Nutrition Network since 1999. He is available for consultations. You can contact him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Or, visit his blog: berkeleymacrobiotics.blogspot.com.

Saci McDonald has been practicing massage and other bodywork modalities for 23 years. She received her initial training at Educating Hands School of Massage in Miami, Florida and further education from John Maguire with the Kinesiology Certification Program. In 2003, Saci added Pilates with an intensive training by nationally recognized Pilates teacher trainer, Carol Appel of Body Kinetics in Mill Valley. Saci is currently in private practice at her home studio in San Rafael, CA. She has been attending the French Meadows Summer Camp since 2000 and will be teaching a Pilates mat class and offering private bodywork/massage sessions this summer.

mark-vilkaitis Mark Vilkaitis is a regular at camp since voluteering the first time in 1986, helping with set up, and sharing duties at kid's camp and in the kitchen. His broad base in many forms of bodywork include certification in massage from Kripalu Yoga Center, second degree Reiki initiation, Svarupa Yoga Embodyment Therapy as well as special instruction from Shizuko Yamamoto, Patrick Mcarty, and Bob Carr in Shiatsu.The time spent with Cornellia and Herman Aihara during extended residency at Vega Study Center and at camp is at the core of his macrobiotic practice, and, in his words, "the inspiration, the sense of well- being, renewal, and joy that is French Meadows, I owe it all to them." Mark will be offering private shiatsu sessions at camp.

Additional presenters will be announced here and in Macrobiotics Today.

Also, each year there are impromptu meetings of people with like interests, ranging from informal gatherings to organized classes. A message board in the registration area facilitates organization of these meetings.

A macrobiotic bookstore is open each day.

Health Consultations

shiatsu kerry 09 The accessibility of Health Counselors is one of the traditions of French Meadows. During the eight days of camp, there are ample opportunities to schedule an in-depth health consultation, shiatsu treatment (like with Kerry Loeb pictured here), or other private session.

The natural setting of French Meadows, away from the distractions of normal life, encourages total focus on health.

Camp Schedule

yoga classes

The Schedule of Classes for the 2013 Camp is available. Sign up for Camp Updates (see top of right-hand column) to receive notifications about camp, including news about the 2013 classes.