“Of the many brilliant stars in the acupuncture profession, Dennis Willmont was the biggest and brightest.  Dennis was the most outstanding intellect our profession has seen in modern times, certainly in the United States, if not in the world.”   Mary Rogel, Acupuncturist, PhD Social Psychology, Past Editor of Oriental Medicine Journal, eastpointassociates.com

Dennis spent most of his life researching, writing and defining aspects of healing in relationship to ancient Chinese teachings and how this could be applied to acupuncture and spiritual practice today. He shared his knowledge through his books, everyday conversation, teaching, and his acupuncture practice. Being a Daoist, Dennis meditated daily, practicing Qigong and Tai Chi.

He was a free thinker, always testing the limits of thought and ideas. He was a healer and touched many people’s lives. He practiced energetic healing including sacred geometry, crystal healing, shiatsu and acupuncture. He followed the macrobiotic diet for 50 years. Dennis appreciated all living things and honored them. He is missed by his wife, Annie Massed, his 5 children, grandchildren, and many friends and colleagues. We are honored to continue his legacy.

Dennis Willmont practiced and taught Oriental medicine in conjunction with Taijiquan and Taoist meditation since 1971. Dennis was an author, acupuncturist, shiatsu practitioner, Chinese herbalist, essential oils practitioner, macrobiotic counselor, and Way of Life counselor. Dennis was a scholar. In an attempt to share his vast knowledge with colleagues and students, Dennis wrote and published 13 books on Ancient Chinese Tradition and its relationship to acupuncture and natural healing, several of which have been used as textbooks in educational institutions. A true pioneer, in the 1970s Dennis created and taught the first 500-hour program in shiatsu/acupressure in North America, before the American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA®) existed.  

He is an AOBTA® Certified Instructor and Honorary

Member. From 1977 to 1984 he directed the Training Program in Shiatsu and Acupressure at The Acupuncture and Shiatsu Therapy Center in Boston where his program in acupressure, a synthesis of ancient palm healing and acupuncture energetics became the standard of acupressure tested in national examinations by the American Oriental Bodywork Therapy Association today.

Dennis had more than 40 years of experience with the Dàodéjīng – a classic Chinese text that has been a source of inspiration for Daoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, artists, poets and healers. Recently he completed a four-book series on his interpretation on Dàodéjīng, including photographs taken from his many trips to China, which correlate to the particular chapter in the Dàodéjīng Companion. Dennis obtained his BA in Literature and Philosophy at Bowling Green State University, Ohio in 1976. In 1977 he graduated from NE School of Acupuncture in Watertown, Massachusetts. He continued his post graduate studies with Ted Kaptchuk in Chinese Herbs. Dennis studied shiatsu therapy in private study with Michio Kushi in Boston Massachusetts, Shoko Fukada and Shizuko Yamamoto in San Francisco and Master Shizuto Maunaga in New York. He was active in the Boston macrobiotic community. He learned from Michio Kushi and Herman Aihara, President of George Ohsawa Macrobiotic Foundation. Dennis’s first Qigong and Taijiquan teacher was Li Li-t’a in 1971 in San Francisco and the Master T.T. Liang, Yang Style in Boston Massachusetts. He continued his practice at Yang’s Martial Arts Association in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts with Master Yang Jwing-ming and Chen style with Master Liang Shou-yu.