Michael Rossoff, L.Ac.
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Finished an excellent Basic Alchemy Seminar

5/2/2018

2 Comments

 
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Recently finished the 4th Basic Alchemy Seminar in America, given in Asheville, N.C.
It was a great group of students, from California, Florida, Virginia and North Carolina. Everyone enjoyed the program, which included lectures, cooking class and qigong exercises daily. The macrobiotic lunches were delicious thanks to Jane Stanchich's fine cooking.
Here are some comments given after the seminar ended:
"It was an amazing workshop. I learned so much and I am incorporating many of the new things I learned into my life." M.D., Florida
"Michael has a wonderful teaching style. He blended macro and Oriental medicine very seamlessly. I love the way that each lecture blended into the next. My expectations were more than met. I learned so much that is applicable to my life journey. Thank you!!" Anonymous 
"Michael has a wealth of knowledge--needs to be never lost! He was always very clear. Michael is a power house of wisdom and knowledge--a gift at being able to share it with others and make it understandable." M.P, North Carolina
"This was an excellent program. I learned so much and am so grateful I was able to attend!" C.C., California
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The Five Stressors on the Body--#3, Lying

4/3/2018

1 Comment

 
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Lying down is a natural and important position for the body. Lying down, however, can be done excessively, or in a wrong way. Following are some brief insights on the restorative qualities of lying down, also the potential stress of too much lying down, or as Chinese Medicine calls it — Taxation. A couple of simple recommendations are provided. The exercise at the end can be used by anyone. 

Naturally we lie down for sleep. This horizontal position benefits the Heart and circulation, allowing all the muscles a chance to fully relax while the body is equally supported. Energetically, lying prone permits the natural forces of Heaven and Earth to realign the body’s energies. This harmonization is basic for deep revitalization during rest or sleep.

Naturally we most often lie down to sleep. There are four choices for position in resting: on the back; on the left or right side; or face down on the stomach. Of these, the worst for health is lying on the stomach. This position actually weakens the stomach and digestion. People who want to lie belly down are typically emotionally upset, afraid, anxious or feeling very vulnerable. This is a primal position, a return to infancy with a need for protection.

In case of a tendency to lie on the stomach, try lying on the back instead. Put heat (a hot water bottle) on the abdomen (below the navel). By warming and focusing attention on this area, breathing will deepen and turbulent emotions can be soothed.

Taxation on the body’s energies comes from excessive lying down which injures the Lungs. With prolonged sleeping, especially with shallow breathing, the lungs will accumulate more and more toxins in the form of CO2 along with other wastes that the lungs expel.

How do you recognize this? If the mind is cloudy, sluggish or confused when you awaken, this is a sign of lung stagnation. It may take many minutes to dispel these sensations. Often excess sleep is not serving our healing or revitalization. Instead it can lead to a sluggish day, physically and / or mentally. Further, it can contribute to other Lung symptoms such as sadness, moodiness, disinterest or loneliness.

The single most important “exercise” to do after awakening is deep exhalation. By breathing out more forcefully than inhaling, you can discharge accumulated CO2 from the Lungs and soon feel energized and mentally sharp. When breathing in, lean backward slightly, spreading out the arms to the sides. As you exhale, in a sitting or standing position, lean forward, breathing out through the mouth. The exhalation should last twice as long as the inhalation. Repeat 8 to 10 times and you will feel refreshed. 

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The Five Stresses on The Body--#2, Standing

1/22/2018

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Standing seems like a natural thing to do. We are either sitting, standing, moving or lying down. So what could be wrong about standing? The answer is that when we stand in one place for a long span of time, we easily strain the back, especially the lower back. And this can be worsened by poor posture.

Who does this stationery standing? Cashiers, sales people in stores, people waiting at bus stops or in long lines or when giving a talk or presentation. Many people try to compensate for tiring from long-time standing by leaning on walls, handrails or whatever is nearby. Doing this reflects the stain on the back and doesn’t truly alleviate it.

The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine speaks of long time standing harming the Kidneys, which govern the back. In Western science the kidneys control fluids, mineral, acid-alkaline balance in the blood and detoxing the blood. While these functions are vital to life, they are not related strongly to the back or low back.

In Oriental healing the Kidney energy system encompasses a diverse array of functions and processes of the body: from hearing, head hair, memory (brain), teeth, bones, spine low back and hormonal system. Even the knees and the soles of the feet are directly affected by Kidney energy, called the “Gate of Life.” This Gate of Life implies deep constitutional powers and the potentials for longevity.

When we idly stand in one place it helps not to lean on something. Leaning might seem relaxing, but it actually imbalances the back and weakens the natural uprightness of the body. In a similar way, when sitting, remain upright. When someone slouches in a chair—half lying, half upright—it reflects that the Kidney energy is weakened.

Standing for long hours is unhealthy and unnatural. Avoid doing it by alternating between standing and movement or between standing and sitting. If you must stand for a long time, then bend your knees slightly or rise up and down from your heels. These simple techniques can relax the back and strengthen the Kidneys.

It is best that the Kidneys are in basic good health. Here are some keys to helping the Kidneys stay well: (1) no white sugar, soft drinks or extreme sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup; (2) use salt daily, mostly in cooking, also as pickles or as miso in soup; (3) get good sleep; (4) moderate sexual activity for your age; (5) reduce stress.

​Exercise helps the Kidneys, especially any that use the thigh muscles. Finally, tai chi and qigong are Oriental exercises that were specifically designed to enhance Kidney vitality. There are teachers in nearly every town who teach one or both of these powerful, simple movements.

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Remembrance of Michio Kushi Memorial

2/10/2015

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Remembrance of Michio Kushi Memorial
Saturday, January 31, 2015 / Boston, Massachusetts


On a very cold winter’s day in Boston, with snow piled high along the sides of the street, about 500 people gathered to show their gratitude and respect for Michio Kushi. Inside the Arlington Street Church where Michio taught weekly during the late 1960s and early 1970s, there was a warmth and friendship that pulsated throughout the church. Many people had not seen each other 10, 20, 30 or more years. They all shared one thing in common—having studied or been deeply inspired by Michio and Aveline Kushi’s teachings.

Though I have been back to Boston over the past years—seeing friends, colleagues and students—it was another thing to see people from the distant past, whose lives had taken them in different directions. I lived in Boston from 1969 to 1972, in several “study houses” and in an apartment of my own. I also worked at Sanae Restaurant for 2 years and knew many people from that time. For me, it was a total immersion experience, plus a time of great experimentation. There was a common link despite our many differences. That link—an enthusiasm for macrobiotics and the shared deep appreciation for Michio and his teaching of the macrobiotic way of life—was what brought us all back together. Furthermore, people came from across America, Europe and Japan for a celebration of Michio’s life and dream plus a reunion and sharing.

The master of ceremony, Haruo (Larry) Kushi, set the tone and focus for the memorial. Speaking for Michio’s four sons and wife Midori, he said that we are as much a part of their extended family as they feel a part of ours. Each speaker brought some unique remembrance of Michio’s life and of his impact on their life and on the much larger scope of society and the world. The speakers were:
• Midori Kushi, Michio’s second wife
• Masao Kushi, Michio’s younger brother from Japan
• Evan Root, friend         • Eric Utne, friend
          
• Alex Jack, Kushi Institute
• Aldebert Nelissen’s (created the KI of Europe) two children:
  
• Gideon Nelissen, played a Bach violin sonata
  
• Horriah Nelissen, shared a message from her mother
• Chico Varatojo, director of KI of Portugal
• Toyofumi Yoshida, president Mitoku Company
• Michael Potter, president Eden Foods
• Dennis Kucinich, former Congressman of Ohio
• Hisao Kushi, youngest son

This was a wonderful celebration of Michio’s life, accomplishments, visions and dreams. Following the memorial service, there was a gala reception at a nearby hotel with music, food and a wonderful opportunity to meet, greet and catch up with many people from around the country and the world.

Pictures are on my website, click HERE to see them.

4 Comments

In Memory of Michio Kushi, 1926-2014

1/12/2015

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The following was written and sent out in my Newsletter yesterday.
   Michio Kushi passed away in Boston early Sunday morning of December 28, 2014, surrounded by his four sons and his wife Midori. His oldest son, Norio, wrote that they all shared a magical and beautiful experience. Michio was peaceful and happy, free of pain, able to say his farewells to each and ask for harmony among all. Michio was 88 years old and had pancreatic cancer.
   Michio had a big heart and a strong spirit that inspired me and thousands of others. His contributions to personal healing, social change and world peace will be part of his lasting legacy. I am grateful for having known him over 44 years and remain inspired by his teaching of the unique principle, order of the universe and non-credo.
   Michio was a powerful, early teacher for the direct connection of foods to health. Combining the philosophy of Oriental yin/yang with a strong Japanese emphasis, his vision spanned from the practical, such as organic, seasonal and local foods to a spiritual consciousness. His teachings which extended over 50 years, directly and indirectly changed many thousands of people's orientation to greater health, myself included.
  His expression of macrobiotics always came from a larger view of life, inspiring people to seek their greater potentials as human beings. He taught that our foods are our connection to nature and the best means to bring health and harmony to our personal life and our world. Though we may fall short of these goals, we can remember that they are vital to seek. I am forever grateful to his inspiration and early guidance.  
   I will be attending Michio's Memorial Service in Boston on Saturday, January 31. Soon afterward, I will write about it and further reflections on Michio's contributions.
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Gratitude to Michio Kushi & Recalling the Early Days in Boston

1/11/2015

4 Comments

 
I first met Michio in 1969 when I was 24 years old. After hearing him lecture on a Sunday afternoon in a house in Brookline, Jim Ledbetter (Michio's early assistant) introduced me to him. Michio told me to do macrobiotics for one full year, then decide if this was right for me. This advice was profound because during that year I went through important personal changes and by the end of the year my life had a new direction.  I never looked back.

I moved to Boston in July 1969 and spent that year in one of the ‘study houses’ in Brookline, Mass., where around 20 strangers lived together because of our common interest in macrobiotics. I make several lasting friendships from this yearlong adventure.

At that time, Michio gave weekly lectures on Tuesday nights at the Arlington Street Church in downtown Boston and often taught another class on Sunday afternoons in a private home. Further, the couple who ran the study house also gave talks two evenings a week. So there was an intensity and enthusiasm that motivated everyone.

In those days, macrobiotics was practiced in an extreme way. Pressure cooked brown rice was served daily (rarely other grains), along with miso soup, beans (rarely tofu and tempeh did not exist then), plus overcooked vegetables for the main fare. Once a week we had fish and a dessert—usually cooked fruit. Everything was very salty, so going out for a beer on the weekends was popular.

I worked first as a gardener for 6 months before getting a job as dishwasher at Sanae Restaurant. This was the first macrobiotic restaurant in Boston, seating about 40 people. An early menu shows several choices of fish with a side of cole slaw and vegetables for only $3.50. (see the entire menus at on the website HERE). It was like a school. I ‘graduated’ to short-order cook and then finally to head chef, with each position training the next person coming up. So I was trained by Richard Sandler. The pay was low, but the spirits and comaradarie were high. It was a special time.

Michio was a student and follower of George Ohsawa who is well known as the “father of macrobiotics.” In the U.S. Herman Aihara and his wife Cornelia joined Michio and Aveline Kushi as dedicated teachers of the macrobiotic way of life. During the 1970s in America the macrobiotic movement seemed radical and strange. Now the U.S. government and many advocates of healthy living and eating are on board with macrobiotic’s emphasis on grains, especially whole grains, vegetables along with primarily vegetable protein. 

4 Comments

 The Five Stresses on the Body--#1, Sitting

12/28/2014

5 Comments

 
The ancient Oriental medical text, The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Inner Medicine, or Huang Di Nei Jing, speaks of five physical ways or habits that can seriously injure our body and mind. This is significant because the book dwells mostly on causes of illness coming either from outside (external 'devils') or inside (emotional excesses). I will comment on these in another post.

Written several thousand years ago, the Yellow Emperor's Classic remains a valuable document of medical and metaphysical importance. It uses the Theory of Five Transformations as a key concept, or model. Many of you are familiar with the Five Transformations, or you can read more about it elsewhere.

Each Phase of the Five Transformations governs a pair of organs--Wood (Liver & Gall Bladder), Fire (Heart & Small Intestines), Earth (Spleen-Pancreas & Stomach), Metal (Lung & Large Intestines) and Water (Kidney & Bladder). We will focus on the solid organs: Liver, Heart, Spleen-Pancreas, Lung and Kidney, because they are the vital (can’t live without them) organs.

For each of these five organs, there is a particular stress, or "taxation," that can potentially injure it. The first taxation we’ll focus on is excess sitting. Strange as it may sound, excessive sitting can injure and deplete the vitality of a specific organ. In February 2014 a study published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health found that excessive sitting increases risk of heart failure, type 2 diabetes, and death from cancer or stroke.

Which of the five organs is weakened by excessive sitting? The answer is Spleen-Pancreas, according to the ancient classic. Since Spleen-Pancreas governs digestion and strength of blood (determined by the food we eat), we can predict that excess sitting disturbs good digestion. This can lead to stomach and pancreas problems in particular, from acid reflux to ulcers to diabetes. In Oriental medicine the Spleen-Pancreas controls thinking processes, so problems here can show up as worry, anxiety and obsessive thoughts.

Our lesson is: become less sedentary, walk daily and do stretching or other exercises regularly. If your work or lifestyle includes a lot of sitting, remember to stand up frequently, move around and stretch, even for a few minutes. Of course, activities such as house work and yard work, playing with children, or moderate gym work outs or sports are great.

In this way you will become healthier—by benefiting digestion and freeing the mind of petty worries. As the Tang Dynasty famous Taoist physician Sun Si Maio advised: after each meal walk 100 steps, then you will live to 100 years old.
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    Michael Rossoff, L.Ac.

    I am dedicated to healing through macrobiotics and Oriental medicine. Together they inspire and inform me.

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