Macrobiotics America

David Briscoe 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. In 1975 he was given the honor of being one of the few macrobiotic counseling apprentices to the late macrobiotic master, Noboru Muramoto, author of Healing Ourselves. In 1983 he was among the first to be certified by the Kushi Institute’s premier training program. During the 70’s and 80’s, David established macrobiotic education programs and centers throughout the U.S. He has appeared on national TV programs and radio shows, including the HBO® Special, “Six Months to Live.” He is the co-author of A Personal Peace, contributing author to The Whole Mind and a regular columnist for Macrobiotics Today, the world’s leading macrobiotic magazine. David has developed macrobiotic curriculum and instruction programs for numerous educational organizations, applying his experience as a former secondary school teacher and as a trainer of teachers at the University of Kansas.
David is well known for his skilled and personal approach to private macrobiotic counseling. He is highly regarded for his vast experience in the areas of macrobiotic healing diet, home remedies and lifestyle re-balancing, and he is considered one of the leading trainers of macrobiotic counselors and cooking teachers.In 1990 the late macrobiotic master, Herman Aihara, invited David to be his administrative, teaching and counseling associate at The Vega Study Center in California, and from 1991-1998 David worked closely with Herman. After Herman’s passing, David moved on to co-found Macrobiotics America and Macrobiotics Global, the first macrobiotic educational programs to offer multi-media distance learning courses via the internet.

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. He has also served as a guest faculty member at the world-famous Kushi Institute in Becket, MA. David holds the honorary position of macrobiotic counselor for The George Ohsawa Macrobiotic Foundation of Chico, CA, the oldest macrobiotic education and publishing organization in North America.

David lives in Northen California with his wife, Cynthia, and children, Justin, Nora, Iris, Ana and Rio.

Cynthia Briscoe is one of America’s most respected macrobiotic cooking instructors. Her cooking is as delicious as it gets. She co-founded and co-directed The Macrobiotic Center of Kansas City during the 1980’s. Cynthia was the co-owner and head chef of The Amber Waves Café, an award-winning macrobiotic restaurant in Kansas City, and one of the most successful and longest-running macrobiotic restaurants in North America.
From 1981-1991 she supervised macrobiotic cooking education in the central states, and from 1991-1998 she was a main cooking instructor, kitchen supervisor and kitchen apprentice trainer at the Vega Study Center in California in association with Cornellia Aihara. She has been the kitchen coordinator for macrobiotic camps and retreats, including the popular Harvest Moon Retreats and Tall Oaks Camps in the midwest.In 1999 she was the guest cooking instructor at the macrobiotic retreat on Hvar Island, Croatia. In recent years Cynthia has served as a cooking instructor at the Kushi Institute’s annual Summer Conference and the French Meadows Summer Camp. In 2004 she was invited to appear on ABC News to demonstrate macrobiotic cooking. 

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. She is blessed with a natural gift for journeywork healing rooted in her Native American ancestry. An accomplished artist, Cynthia has illustrated books for Avery Publishing Group, Japan Publications, and Contemporary Books, including books by the late Aveline Kushi and other macrobiotic authors. Cindy is currently working on several cookbooks and video home study courses. She is the mother of five active and kind-hearted children, ages 11-24, who care about others, animals, the earth, and looking at the stars at night.

Ira Briscoe Memorial

Ira Briscoe loved his young friends and wanted all the best for them.On August 14, 2004, Ira died from injuries received during an accident while with his parents, David and Cynthia, at The Kushi Macrobiotic Summer Conference in Vermont.

At the young age of 18  Ira was already known as a true human being who was sought by his friends for advice on life, who inspired them to finish high school, and who was appreciated as a genuine friend who could be turned to in times of heartache or trouble without fear of betrayal or judgement.

One night during the Summer Conference, Ira told his mother, “I’ve never felt more alive in my life.” He loved the new macrobiotic adventure he had found for himself, and he was looking forward to starting a campus macrobiotic program upon his return to California and his first year at California State University-Chico. Ira was always sharing his bounding enthusiasm for macrobiotics with his young friends, loaning them his books, inviting them for meals, and discussing with them his views on life and freedom that were transforming through his study of George Ohsawa’s writings and the writings of many others, including Henry David Thoreau.

Ira’s generous spirit of hope for humanity inspires and energizes all that we do at Macrobiotics America.

For the extraordinary blessing of his 18 yrs with us we are truly grateful. In his soaring life of the spirit now we cheer him on, our eyes wide with wonder at the beauty that is forever Ira.

May all beings and all the earth be healthy and happy.

The Briscoes: David, Cynthia, Justin, Nora, Iris, Ana and Rio