Greetings,
 
It's been nine years since I first arrived in Becket to study at Kushi Institute, although, my macrobiotic journey started long before that.  
In 1995 I went to see a naturopathic doctor for some nagging intestinal problems. After his assessment he informed me that in his opinion I displayed symptoms of the beginning stages of colon cancer.  At his suggestion I went through the medical system with all its poking, and pulling, and stabbing, as doctors were trying to figure out what was wrong with me. Thankfully, they ruled out colon cancer, but in the end could never figure out what was causing my problems. Nevertheless, they did not hesitate to offer all sorts of drugs to make whatever was bothering me go away.
 
Having seen my father die of lung cancer, as he was going through modern cancer treatment, I've always been wary of the modern approach of medicine to cancer.  Though over the years I've seen many times that there is a time and place for conventional medicine, I decided to look for a more holistic approach to deal with my intestinal problems.  

As I'd heard of macrobiotics many years before I felt this was as good a time as any to do some research on it. I bought Michio Kushi's book the "Cancer Prevention Diet" and by reading it I quickly realized that this great book was as much about healing existing cancers as prevention. It also explained a great deal about diet and lifestyle choices that can create serious health issues. I recognized that a new way of life had just presented itself to me and that there was no going back. I immersed myself into macrobiotics, completely changing my lifestyle, studying with many of the eminent macrobiotic teachers in the U.S., such as Herrman and Cornelia Aihara, Michio Kushi, Cecile Levin, David Briscoe and many others. 

Within weeks of starting macrobiotics my intestinal issues disappeared, along with the daily nosebleeds I'd had ever since I was a child. I also began to experience many other wonderful benefits - physical, emotional and spiritual - too many to mention in this short space. Suffice to say that my macrobiotic experience has been life changing in the most positive way. 

Of course when I started macrobiotics in 1995 I could have never imagined that one day I would be directing the largest macrobiotic study center in the world. I came to the KI to study however, some board members, who had become aware of my business background, inquired of me if I'd be interested helping to manage Kushi Institute. At first I declined, however, the offer intrigued me, and eventually I accepted the position of Executive Director. It's not always been easy. It's in the nature of non-profit educational organizations to be fraught with challenges, especially financial ones. But there are great rewards that far outweigh the difficulties, chief among them helping an organization, that truly makes a difference in peoples lives, to move forward in its mission and goals.

Over the years we've made many positive changes, greatly expanding our program offerings, doing small studies such as the study on Type  2 diabetes in which we were able to demonstrate how macrobiotics can help improve peoples health and how they could manage their diabetes without debilitating medicines. We are very pleased that just this week we have launched a newly formatted Kushi Store website which will make it easier for our customers to order on line. We also upgraded the facilities however, much work remains to be done to realize our vision for Kushi Institute. 

Our exciting annual Summer Conference (coming up this week starting Thursday, August 4)  is another area where big improvements were made. Going from a college venue to an upscale, yet very affordable, conference center improved the quality and attendance of the conference dramatically. What has not changed is the outstanding nature of the event - this is an incredible opportunity to meet and study with some of the most prominent teachers in the field including Michio Kushi, enjoy delicious, gourmet-style and simple palate macrobiotic meals, and mingle with an international crowd of participants interested in the natural macrobiotics approach to health and healing. There's also fun, entertainment, private sessions, and more. It's not too late to sign up and while you're at the conference please say hello to John and Cathy Russo to whom we're very grateful for their hard work, sponsoring and managing this great event.

We've been enjoying summer with the warm days and cool nights the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts are famous for. We offer programs year-round, and every season brings its own joys of natural beauty to our scenic 600-acre residential campus. If you haven't been to Kushi Institute I encourage you to join us for one of our programs. Or if you just want to check us out consider coming to our free Open House on September 24, or stay for a day or more on R&R. You might find that macrobiotics can be as uplifting, positive, and life-changing for you as it has been for me.
 
In Peace and Health,

Olaf Fischer
Executive Director