Michael Fisher

Registered Nutritionist & Whole Foods Consultant

After graduating from Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, Michael Fisher studied in Japan for one year to discover Asian healing traditions. Since 2008, he has studied and worked with Paul Pitchford (author of Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition). Through this remarkable educational experience Michael deepened his understanding of pre-revolutionary Chinese Medicine, which emphasizes the three therapeutic branches, including awareness, movement and a foundational whole foods diet. He incorporates shiatsu diagnosis in his practice as well as therapeutic qi gong, herbal remedies, lifestyle and emotional counselling.

Michael has written for several major health publications in Canada and teaches courses in nutrition and dietary healing at the prestigious Canadian School of Natural Nutrition in London, and at the Eight Branches Healing Arts Centre in Toronto (beginning Fall 2011). Michael is most known for his work alongside Paul Pitchford, authour of Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition, joining him at his 2009 three-week Healing with Whole Foods intensive in New York, and again in 2010 in Bali, Indonesia.

Clara Schmiegelow

Doctor of Acupuncture, Whole Foods Consultant and Chef, Shiatsu Therapist

Clara Schmiegelow studied at the Escuela Superior de Medicina Tradicional China in Spain, Madrid and graduated from the school of Acupuntura China in Argentina. After completing the International Acupuntucture Qualification Examination, sponsored by the WFAS – World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (NGO in oficial relation with WHO) she received her qualification of Acupuncture Doctor. During this time, Clara concurrently trained at a Chef school and has been since teaching macrobiotic and natural cooking privately. Practising yoga for the last 12 years, she has studied at the KHYF Krishnamacharya Healing and Yoga Foundation where she recieved her Yoga Teacher certificate. A trained Shiatsu Therapist, Clara studied at the ShiatsuNuad School in Argentina and at an intensive course in Maui, Hawaii.

Recently, Clara has studied with Paul Pitchford, author of Healing with Whole Foods, Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition in Bali, Indonesia. She has incorporated whole foods counselling and Chinese dietetics into her practice, along with clinical acupuncture, shiatsu, yoga, lifestyle and spiritual counselling.

Nada Ashkar D.Ac

As a member of Spiritwind Internal Arts, and a graduate of the Institute of Traditional Medicine in Toronto, Nada shares her wholehearted love for the ancient Taoist arts in both private practice and community clinics as an integrative traditional Chinese medicine practitioner.

Nada has had phenomenal experiences working in Guatemala in a community acupuncture clinic.  She has practiced at the PWA (People with Aids) clinic and has been involved with several N.A.D.A. (National Acu-Detox Association) healing circles.  She is deeply passionate about the community clinic ‘working class acupuncture’ model of care and has been expanding her involvement in this revolutionary movement.

Since the age of 11, she has trained in several styles of martial arts. Most recently, she focuses her training in the Taoist internal arts system including Kung Fu, Ba Gua Zhang, Taijiquan, Tao In Lung Shen (taoist yoga), meditation, I Ching and Qigong. 

When she is not poking or punching at people, Nada is an avid world traveler, dancer, and an ambassador of gustatory delight for her friends.