Special bonus class with Martin Halsey by sign-up by Wednesday May 20 midnight ET:
Understanding and Relieving Unusual Symptoms: A Macrobiotic Approach
One Peaceful World Mini-conference 2026
Join us to reconnect, get new inspiration, expand your knowledge and strengthen our health at Online Macrobiotic Summer Conference 2026.
Look below for more details!
June 20-21 & 27-28 | Online on Zoom | All recorded
Macrobiotic Summer Conference 2026
Connect, be inspired, expand your knowledge
and strengthen your health
How to relieve dental issues and choose the right treatment?
How to adjust our diet as we age to stay strong and vital?
How to help your sceptical loved ones heal?
Join us at the Online Macrobiotic Summer Conference 2026 for an enriching journey into the world of health and well-being.
Discover how to care for your teeth and choose the right dental treatment, how to adapt your diet as you age, treat common skin conditions, and find out what hidden factors are impacting your digestion, weight, and vitality. Find out how improve our emotional well-being and reduce the risk of cognitive decline by keeping healthy and diverse gut.
Find out how to motivate and encourage your children, grandchildren, partners, friends, and other relatives who may be struggling with health issues to take their own steps towards health without pressure or conflict.
Enjoy a rich variety of hands-on cooking classes, from light summer meals and digestive-friendly dishes to traditional Czech dumplings, gluten-free desserts, refreshing summer recipes, international dishes from Flanders, Vietnam, India, and the Czech lands, and a special macrobiotic tofu kale lasagna.
Be inspired by remarkable recovery stories and engage in thought-provoking discussions, calming yoga classes, and new insights from macrobiotic teachers, counselors, chefs, and practitioners.
Connect with like-minded people, gain fresh motivation for your own health journey, and enjoy the warmth, wisdom, and practical support on your way to health.
What can you look forward to?
Saturday June 20
Welcome and basic information on the conference
While ultra processed foods and dietary imbalance remain a central cause of overweight, largely unrecognized factors are increasingly responsible for the global obesity epidemic.
Widespread exposure to screens and electromagnetic fields, accelerating climate disruption, and the cumulative psychological and physiological burden—or “weight”—of an increasingly polarized, chaotic, and violent world are profoundly affecting our metabolism and overall vitality.
In this talk, Alex will explore these hidden influences and offer practical, commonsense guidance. Through simple, safe approaches to eating, lifestyle, and climate adjustments, you will learn how to maintain balance, achieve a healthy weight, and renew their energy and well-being as the Spiral of History intensifies.
A peaceful, rejuvenating pause to savor your meal and recharge.
Open discussions with Donna Clifford, R.N., a macrobiotic nurse and author of Act Like Rice and Mark Leonas, a long-term macrobiotic practitioner.
In this practical and thought-provoking class, Dr. Mary Cross, a professional dentist with a macrobiotic background, will present an integrative approach to dental health through both a macrobiotic and modern clinical lens.
She will explore common concerns such as pain, burning and discomfort in the mouth, especially when eating, cavities, receding gums and gradual loss of tooth structure and how to deal with them, explaining how diet, eating habits, and the oral microbiome can either weaken or strengthen the teeth and gums. Special attention will be given to the ways macrobiotic principles can help create a healthier oral environment.
Dr. Cross will also discuss important treatment decisions offering balanced guidance to help you make informed choices in harmony with both your personal values and clinical realities.
Learn how to make a delicious macrobiotic version of lasagne that is wholesome, satisfying, and full of summer freshness! This layered dish brings together gluten-free or whole grain lasagne, creamy tofu “ricotta”, mineral-rich greens, and a naturally sweet, tomato-free marinara sauce.
Perfect for summer, this version can be prepared without baking, keeping the kitchen cooler and the dish lighter.
Garnished with fresh herbs, it is nourishing, and deeply satisfying — and any leftovers can be enjoyed later as simple side dishes.
Using gentle movements, breath, and sound, you will experience yoga in its simplest, most authentic form. The sessions will help unwind, release stress, and bring a greater sense of ease and balance.
Be inspired by remarkable firsthand stories of overcoming various health challenges. This time, you’ll meet:
- Miriam Madhummati, who healed from Crohn’s Disease
- Laura Castoldi, who recovered from breast cancer
- Marisa Marinelli, who overcame ulcerative colitis and thyroid cancer
Don’t miss this opportunity to ask questions, gain insights, and find hope and motivation from these incredible recovery journeys.
Leave feeling empowered, and ready to take charge of your own journey!
Open discussions with Donna Clifford, R.N., a macrobiotic nurse and author of Act Like Rice and Mark Leonas, a long-term macrobiotic practitioner.
Sunday June 21
Sunday June 21
In this talk, François Rolland, senior macrobiotic teacher and counselor, will share practical ways to increase Ki energy, vitality, and satisfaction through the daily art of choosing, preparing, cooking, and eating our food. Drawing on more than half a century of experience as a macrobiotic teacher, counselor, and chef, he will explain how to adapt macrobiotic practice as we grow older so we receive more energy from our meals and feel more balanced in daily life.
François will also address common health challenges that often arise later in life and offer simple, practical guidance for adapting macrobiotic practice as we age. Along the way, he will share personal insights from his own macrobiotic journey and from many decades of helping others use food and way of life modifications to support greater health, clarity, and well-being.
Curious about Czech cuisine? In this class, popular Czech cook Dagmar Lužná will introduce you to traditional dishes —from delicate spelt dumplings to millet dumplings filled with tofu (including a gluten-free variation), along with vibrant beet and vegetable sauces, sweet-and-sour cabbage, and creative plant-based specialties—prepared in a balanced, macrobiotic way to support the spleen, stomach, and pancreas.
Focusing on whole, mineral-rich ingredients and simple techniques that avoid the heaviness of white flour, dairy, and sugar, these recipes offer deeply satisfying, grounding meals that build steady energy and strengthen the center. This way of cooking also supports inner stability and confidence, helping us respond more calmly and flexibly to life.
A unique opportunity to explore a lesser-known European cuisine while deepening your understanding of Soil transforrmation cooking.
A peaceful, rejuvenating pause to savor your meal and recharge.
Open Discussions with Donna Clifford, R.N., a macrobiotic nurse and author of Act Like Rice.
Summer is associated with the heart and the energy of peak expansion. It is a season for warmth, joy, connection, and lightness — yet the heat can also feel tiring or overwhelming, especially when meals are too heavy.
In this joyful cooking class, Amber, former head chef at the Kushi Institute in Becket, will show how to prepare simple, refreshing, and delicious macrobiotic dishes that help us stay cool, relaxed, and light-hearted during the warmest season of the year.
She will share practical cooking tips, seasonal ingredients, and simple ideas for bringing more ease and pleasure into the summer kitchen. Food can help us only be healthy and balanced, but also more connected, laughing, and enjoying life.
Macrobiotics teaches that our physical, mental, and spiritual health are deeply shaped by the foods we eat and our relationship with the natural world. In this talk, Bill Tara will explore how millions of years of human development are reflected in the human microbiome, the inner ecosystem that mirrors our connection with the environment around us.
He will show how a healthy and diverse gut biome can support greater vitality, balance, and clarity, while also contributing to emotional well-being and helping reduce the risk of cognitive decline, including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
A few words before we part for a few days.
Saturday June 27
Gluten-free baking can be both wholesome and deeply satisfying when prepared with care and the right ingredients. In this class, Laura Castoldi will guide you through a delicious exploration of naturally gluten-free sweets made from simple, organic foods.
Avoiding refined sugar, starches, and other inflammatory ingredients often found in commercial gluten-free products, she will show how to create desserts that are nourishing, balanced, and full of flavor—supporting both enjoyment and well-being.
A peaceful, rejuvenating pause to savor your meal and recharge.
Cynthia Vann, author of Humanity at a Wireless Crossroads, will provide an insightful update on recent developments concerning smart meters, smartphones, 5G radiation, and related technologies. She will also address the adverse health effects of artificial electromagnetic fields (EMFs), offering valuable perspectives and information on this pressing topic.
Many of us have seen loved ones struggle with health challenges we feel could be eased through macrobiotic understanding—yet offering guidance can be delicate. What seems commonsensical to us may feel unfamiliar or difficult to them, and our efforts can be met with resistance. We can easily come over as being pushy, know-it-all, or just plain crazy, and our loved one becomes defensive, and maybe entrenched in their present dietary and lifestyle habits.
Drawing on decades of teaching and seeing clients, Oliver Cowmeadow will explore how to offer support in a more natural, effective way. He will look at the what is going on inside us that helps or hinders us, how to communicate more clearly, and offer lots practical tips to encourage our partners, children, parents and other family members and friends toward healthier choices, while remaining at peace with the outcome.
Summer calls for simple, satisfying meals that help us stay cool, hydrated, and at ease in the heat. With the strong yang energy of the season, our cooking naturally shifts toward lighter, more refreshing foods.
In this class, Virginia Harper will demonstrate a digestive-friendly menu designed to support the heart and small intestine, while sharing practical ways to create balanced, seasonal meals that are both nourishing and enjoyable.
Using gentle movements, breath, and sound, you will experience yoga in its simplest, most authentic form. The sessions will help unwind, release stress, and bring a greater sense of ease and balance.
Verne Varona doesn’t just talk health — he wakes it up. A dynamic macrobiotic teacher and electrifying keynote speaker, Verne has jolted thousands across the US, Canada, and Europe into taking charge of their well-being. His secret weapons? Sharp wit, no- nonsense science, and enough practical wisdom to turn diets into a lifestyle people actually stick to.
Verne will devote this workshop to understanding and using humor as a communication and healing tool.
You will learn what makes something humorous, the power of anecdotes, the effect of humor on immunity, and novel ways to discover humor in everyday life. Essentially, humor is about surrendering to the present moment.
This inspiring talk is therapeutic and NOT to be missed! Get your “Vitamin H” in an entertaining dose!
Open discussions with Donna Clifford, R.N., a macrobiotic nurse and author of Act Like Rice and Mark Leonas, a long-term macrobiotic practitioner.
Sunday June 28
Sunday June 28
In this class, Martin Halsey will explore the dynamics of yin and yang as they relate to skin health, offering a deeper understanding of the root causes behind common conditions such as acne, eczema, and fungal infections.
Special attention will be given to psoriasis—often considered difficult to treat—showing how it can respond positively to a macrobiotic approach, including diet, remedies, and external care.
Martin will also share practical guidance on daily habits and natural practices that support clear, balanced, and healthy skin.
A lifelong traveler and dedicated macrobiotic cook, Mieke Vervecken has spent decades exploring the traditional foods of many cultures and discovering the common wisdom that unites them: grains, beans, and fresh vegetables as the foundation of health and vitality.
In this lively summer cooking class, Mieke will share a delicious selection of refreshing dishes, dressings, and desserts inspired by the cuisines of Flanders, Vietnam, and India. These recipes are simple to prepare, full of flavor, and naturally balanced for the warm summer season.
You will learn creative ways to bring international variety into your kitchen while staying rooted in macrobiotic principles. Light, nourishing, and appealing to everyone—not only macrobiotic cooks—these dishes are sure to become seasonal favorites.
A peaceful, rejuvenating pause to savor your meal and recharge.
Open Discussions with Donna Clifford, R.N., a macrobiotic nurse and author of Act Like Rice.
Join us for a warm and inspiring talk by Bob Carr, macrobiotic pioneer, teacher, and counselor, and this year’s recipient of the Michio Kushi Peace Prize.
Bob has devoted much of his life to sharing macrobiotics and building community. He founded several macrobiotic centers, including the East West Center of Cleveland, Makrobiotik Arbeitskreis München, and Wonder Full Life Centrum in the Czech Republic. He also helped establish the Kushi Institute Deutschland and has taught at the Kushi Institute in Becket, Amsterdam, and Japan.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Bob share reflections from his many decades in macrobiotics, his love of nature, his work with Michio Kushi’s teachings, and his vision for creating a more healthy, peaceful, and wonderful life.
Indulge yourself while supporting a great cause at our annual Macrobiotic Auction!
Whether you’re looking for unique memorabilia, rare photographs, exclusive collection items, discounted courses, special-price consultations, coveted macrobiotic publications, or rare macrobiotic food items, our auction has something for everyone.
Join us for this exciting fundraising event and secure valuable study and learning materials to enhance your macrobiotic journey throughout the year. Don’t miss this opportunity to treat yourself and contribute to the future of macrobiotic education!
We will finish with a humorous skit and heartfelt farewell.
*Schedule may be subject to change.
Who will be presenting?
We have invited some of the most renowned macrobiotic teachers
and counsellors from around the world,
as well as new young and enthusiastic teachers
Verne Varona
Macrobiotic teacher, author, health educator, and nutrition consultant
Gayle Stolove
Professional macrobiotic cook, counselor, and cancer survivor
Virginia Harper
Transformational leader in natural healing
Dr. Mary Cross
Dentist and macrobiotic practitioner
Bill Tara
Macrobiotic teacher and co-founder of MACROVegan
Alex Jack
Macrobiotic teacher, counselor and author, former director of Kushi Institute in Becket
Laura Castoldi
Director of La Sana Gola cooking school, macrobiotic cooking teacher and counselor, and author
Bob Carr
Macrobiotic teacher, counsellor, and founder of several macrobiotic centers
Amber Maisano
Macrobiotic and cooking teacher, former head chef at the Kushi Institute in Becket
Martin Halsey
Macrobiotic teacher and counselor, founder of several macrobiotic centers in Europe
Cynthia Vann
Former U.S. Air Force officer, macrobiotic practitioner and environmental health specialist
Dagmar Lužná
Macrobiotic chef, teacher and counselor from the Czech Republic
Marisa Marinelli
Macrobiotic practitioner, recovered from thyroid cancer and ulcerative collitis
François Roland
Macrobiotic teacher, counselor, and founder the Macrobiotic Center of Cleveland
Manjari Agarwala
Yoga therapist and macrobiotic teacher from India
Donna Clifford
Macrobiotic teacher and registered nurse
Danka Jack
Macrobiotic teacher and counselor
Miriam Madhumati
Macrobiotic practitioner, recovered from Crohn's Disease
Mieke Vervecken
Macrobiotic chef and teacher from Belgium
Oliver Cowmeadow
Founder and director of the International Macrobiotic School in the UK
When?
June 20-21 & 27-28, 2026
Where?
Online on Zoom
All sessions recorded!
What is all included?
- More than 15 teachers, counselors, chefs and presenters
- 8 lectures focused on healing, harmonising with our surroundings, and staying strong and vital
- 6 live cooking classes from all over the world
- 2 traditional yoga classes with Manjari live from India
- Recovery Panel
- Live open and private discussion sessions
- Auction
- Interaction with experienced counselors
- All presentations recorded
- Recipes in advance from all cooking classes so you can cook along with the chefs
This conference is more than just an educational event—
it’s a community experience that will leave you empowered and inspired.
Join by Wednesday May 20 midnight (ET)
and get a bonus pass to Martin Halsey’s special class:
Understanding and Relieving Unusual Symptoms:
A Macorbiotic Approach
Do you ever experience small but persistent symptoms that seem to come from nowhere—such as grinding your teeth, dry eyes, canker sores, chilblains, or hiccups? These discomforts may seem minor, but when they happen often, they can quietly affect your sleep, mood, comfort, and enjoyment of daily life.
In this bonus class, Martin Halsey will help you understand what these unusual symptoms may be telling you from a macrobiotic point of view—and, most importantly, what you can do about them. Rather than seeing them as random or mysterious, you will learn how they can often be connected to deeper patterns of imbalance in the body.
Martin will explain practical ways to deal with them through food choices, cooking methods, and daily habits, so that you can begin to relieve discomfort and restore greater balance, comfort, and confidence in your body.
Martin Halsey is a senior macrobiotic teacher and counselor, founder of macrobiotic center in Switzerland and macrobiotic school in Italy, co-founder of macrobiotic school in Portugal. He has seen over 10,000 people over the course of the last 45 years.
When and where: Online on Zoom on June 13 at 1 pm ET
The lecture will be recorded for those who sign up.
Price of the conference + all the recordings:
$329
Join for the whole conference, pick your day(s) or get the recordings!
1 Day (June 20, 21 or 27) + its recording: §97
Sunday June 28 + the recording: §79
1 Weekend + its recording: §174
All the recordings: $197
Price of the the recordings:
$197
Price of the conference + all the recordings:
$329
Join for the whole conference, pick your day or get the recording!
Individual days (+ its recording):
Thursday: $97
Friday: $97
Saturday: $97
Sunday: $97
Saturday: $97
Sunday: $97
Weekends (+ weekend recording):
July 12-13: $174
July 19-20: $174
July 19-20: $174
Recordings only:
$197
What do participants say about our conferences?
“I found the conference excellent, inspiring and stimulating. I felt nourished, supported and recharged which in turn helps me recommit to the macrobiotic lifestyle and practice. I have already been choosing healthier menus.”
Darshano Alba
“The conference opened new perspectives about how one can see macrobiotics, and how it is certainly about finding my own pattern and understanding that each individual is unique and has its own needs. It is quite inspiring to have so many recepies and talks to come back to.”
Isabel Mourin Castañeda
“The conference was excellent! The only thing that was missing was the usual fabulous macrobiotic food. I enjoyed the talks: Cooking ideas to recharge my meals, health concepts to broaden my knowledge with highly knowledgeable teachers, a range of ideas to think about, and the yoga was exactly what I’ve been looking for which includes the yogic breathing exercises. The teachers were great and the overall program was rich, well organized and fun.”
Ellen Harris
“Hearing lectures on improving both physical and mental health, attending cooking classes and learning new recipes, sharing ideas with macrobiotic counselors and like-minded people all renew my energy and inspire me to be even more conscientious in my daily macrobiotic practice.”
Audrey Polt
“I felt much of the conference was designed just for me. There were other participants who had the same health issue I'm working on now and there were opportunities to reflect on approaches to healing with them. The presenters had helpful suggestions that that I look forward to trying. The cooking classes were wonderful. It was such an encouraging experience.“
Mary Sichel
“The conference brought together experts from around the world on vital topics including food, diet and peace. It was a place to pause, connect and take an expansive view of wellbeing and health. Cooking classes allowed me to gain more knowledge and confidence in the kitchen.”
John Liebmann
“Besides gaining strategies from presenters, participants provided food for thought and solutions for many challenging topics that they have experienced which helps all who are listening.”
Rob Kilpert
“I love these conferences and look forward to them each year. I feel it deepens my macrobiotic practice and I feel connected to a growing international macrobiotic community.”
Kate Howard
“Entire conference was amazing. Looked forward to it each day.”
Lila Kutolowski
“I don’t know how they keep getting better every year but somehow it gets pulled off beautifully.”
Rebecca West
“I appreciated the inclusive atmosphere, allowing for different styles of cooking and practice to be presented, and encouraging us to find our own way for our individual condition, situation, and practice.”
Elaine Danforth
“I enjoyed the topics that were perhaps more advanced and deepened my understanding how macrobiotics applies to other parts of life other than just cooking.”
Brian Smith
“I found the conference very stimulating with new ideas and love the cooking classes which I can use in my everyday life.”
Patricia Spaniol
“I find these conferences invaluable to maintain my practice.”
Michael Maloney
“The conference was so enjoyable because you get to see old friends and it feels like a family. It was quite interesting to listen to people debate about whether or not to use oil in their cooking and if they use it, how much to use. It was also very stimulating to have such a variety of topics, from new research to past research that refreshed your memory, to cooking classes and yoga classes. All of the cooking teachers were so incredibly inspiring, especially accomplishing as much as they did in such a short period of time.”
Dolly Anne Wolf
“When I attend these conferences I am stimulated to continue my macrobiotic practice having picked up gems to apply such as Bob Carr's energy saving way to cook beans, Maria Serano's pulse diagnosis, Jan Stanchich's wide variety of soothing foods and Alex Jack's optomisim regarding the future of humans in the earth.”
Pam Nummela
Transform your health with insights from the Online Macrobiotic Summer Conference 2026!
Explore myths and modern perspectives on macrobiotics.
Expand your practical use of timeless principles of yin and yang, Oriental Diagnosis and spiritual healing in everyday life.
Enjoy interactive workshops, inspiring talks, and community connections.
Don’t miss out—register today!
Frequently Asked Questions
I have other arrangements and can’t attend all the lectures. Will the lectures be recorded?
Yes, all the lectures will be recorded, and you can watch them again anytime at your convenience.
The only thing that is not recorded are the discussion sessions to ensure the privacy of the participants and create a safe atmosphere for mutual sharing.
Can I pay by check?
Sure. Please, address the check to Planetary Health, Inc., 136 Boylston St Apt 4, Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, and let us know at contact@planetaryhealth.com.
Would you prefer an installment plan?
Please contact us at contact@planetaryhealth.com about your preferences and we will set it up for you.
How long will I have access to the recordings and other materials?
Recipes will be sent to your email and the recording will be available for 2 years 😊
Would you like to ask another question?
Please contact us at contact@planetaryhealth.com and we will be happy to reply to you.
Have you not been to our conferences yet?
Use coupon code “joinmacro2025” to get $100 discount!
“I highly recommend the Conference. It is a great learning experience. It develops spirit and higher development,
and motivates people to care about themselves, others, and the whole planet.”
– R.T.
Who is organizing this for you?
Alex Jack, an internationally renowned macrobiotic teacher, counselor, and author, worked closely with Michio and Aveline Kushi for nearly forty years and served as former director of Kushi Institute in Becket. He co-wrote The Macrobiotic Path to Total Health, The Book of Macrobiotics, and many other books on diet, health, and the environment with Michio Kushi and is currently writing a multivolume series on the Spiral of History.
Danka Jack is a macrobiotic teacher from Slovakia. She grew up in a macrobiotic family, learning and applying the remedies and principles in her daily life since childhood. She is the Special Projects director at Planetary Health, giving courses and consultations in macrobiotics and 9 Star Ki.
This conference is more than just an educational event—
it’s a community experience that will leave you empowered and inspired.