🌸 In Loving Memory of Hazel Chung Hood Sensei
- Kumiko Kanayama
- May 26
- 7 min read
An Inspirational International Shiatsu Teacher, Dancer, and Light in
Our Shiatsu Community
Dear Friends,
I hope this message finds you well.
It is with deep sadness that I share the news of the passing of our beloved instructor, Hazel Chung Hood, on May 13, 2025, at 7:28 AM.
Hazel was a radiant presence and guiding light in the Shiatsu and healing arts community. She touched the lives of so many with her grace, kindness, strength, and unshakable joy. Her spirit lives on in each of us who were fortunate to know her, study with her, or simply be in her presence.
As shared by her family:
“My mother’s spirit will live on among all of us who knew and loved her. It is difficult now to process—she has given so much. Love you, Mom! A grandma, auntie, sister, and to everyone.” – Mitro Hood
“She was an inspirational force in many people’s lives. Always shared her joy, passion, and positivity for life with everyone she met. May she forever dance in heaven and guide us always...we love you.” – Made Hood
We’ve received an outpouring of heartfelt memories and tributes honoring Hazel’s legacy:
A Radiant Light in the Shiatsu World🌸
Hazel inspired and encouraged all of us. Her impact was profound, and her legacy continues to ripple through our community and beyond. Her energy lives on in each of our hearts, minds, and Hara.
Hazel’s grace, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to the healing arts will never be forgotten. She taught us not only through words and techniques but also through the way she lived—with elegance, compassion, dedication, strength, and laughter!
Her legacy is alive in the hands of every practitioner she guided, in the lives of every student she mentored, and in the spirit of Shiatsu, she helped nurture for generations to come.
We bow in gratitude and love.
Go ku rou sama deshita! Arigatou, Hazel sensei!
Kumiko Kanayama
Founder
Five Lights Center of Shiatsu in NYC
Here is the YouTube Video:
Celebration of Life: Hazel Chung Hood/Sat., May 17, 2025; 11:00 a.m.
🌸 In Loving Memory of Hazel Chung
We’ve received an outpouring of heartfelt memories and tributes honoring Hazel’s remarkable life and legacy:
“I will always be grateful for Hazel’s support, love, and guidance over the last 20+ years. She introduced us to beautiful Bali.” — Kyle Brooks
“She was the guide who introduced me to the Shiatsu world.” — Dr. Hiroshi Nakazawa
“I stayed in Hazel’s house during COI training—miss her so much.” — Deolal Mahabir
“She was quite an amazing, inspired woman. I hope her journey was gentle.” — Nini Melvin
“I remember her bright light at the Ohashi Institute.” — Virginia Miller
“What an inspiring woman. She was so graceful.” — Joan Weinstein
“Hazel was such a beautiful person with a good heart and soul. So many memories.” — Milie Hermanto
“A true inspiration… deeply heartfelt and thoughtful, with a twinkle in her eye and a pep in her step.” — Mathew Swigart
“She was a special person and a devoted instructor.” — Dechen Thurman
“I got to take a class with her at the Zendo. I’ll never forget it.” — Kristal Stone
“Hazel led a full, humanitarian, and artistic life. I will always remember her for her grace, strength, and kindness. Thank you for holding this space for our international Shiatsu community to come together in remembrance and gratitude.” — Karen Dodds
“I have the fondest memories of Hazel in Bali! She was a great woman and a truly gifted teacher, with so much energy and understanding. May she rest in peace.” — Ciao, Jean xx (Scotland)
“Hazel was a true Shiatsu celebrity—so well loved! It's wonderful to celebrate her life and accomplishments.” — With love, Elfi Six (Germany 🇩🇪)
“I remember with deep affection and gratitude the kindness and compassion of Hazel Chung. We shared the hospitality of Ohashi Sensei in New York while I was teaching at the Ohashi Institute. Hazel was a natural and understanding guide who made me feel truly welcome and appreciated. Rest in peace, dear Hazel.” — With love, Silvia Marchesa Rossi (Italy)
“I remember so well the beautiful moments shared with Hazel in classes at the Ohashi Studio and DBZ. She was such a radiant light and a genuine guiding spirit in the world of healing touch. Though she is no longer with us physically, I trust she remains vibrationally attuned with us—in infinite spirit.” — With heartfelt remembrance, Mark
Thank you so much for letting me know. She was my first—and most impactful—Ohashiatsu instructor and friend. I know her healing, loving spirit will live on forever in those she taught, touched, and in all the others who learned and touched thousands more through the wisdom she so generously shared. —Angie McConnell
“So very sorry to hear that. She will be missed. She was such a wonderful, elegant lady.” —Bill Phillips
“Rest in peace, beautiful lady.” —Tarek
“Condolences to all.” —Silvana Stein
“I am so sorry to hear. Lots of love to her family and friends.” —Michele Rafferty
“Hazel was such a passionate Shiatsu teacher.” —Thin Thin Lay
In Loving Memory of Hazel Chung Hood
By Sooyong Kim
Hazel was born in Jamaica in 1932 and came to live with distant relatives in Erie, PA, around 1940. She was an accomplished dancer who attended Juilliard, studied and danced with Martha Graham, and toured with Yul Brynner in "The King and I". Being of Chinese and Jamaican descent, she encountered racism while growing up and while touring. But she was more concerned about the young children in the show who experienced such cruelty.
In those days, there were very few roles for people of Asian/mixed ancestry, and Hazel was not able to continue as a musical dancer.
In Indonesia and Ghana, Hazel studied Balinese, Javanese, and Ghanaian dance. She taught dance at UCLA and in Hawaii while her husband, Mantle Hood, was opening ethnomusicology departments. The University of Maryland, Baltimore County was their final stop.
Meanwhile, Hazel and Mantle raised three sons, as well as a stepson.
Coming to Ohashiatsu with a dance background meant that Hazel moved effortlessly with grace. She taught this dynamic way of moving to her students. She also shared much of her wisdom with her clients.
You could not make excuses with Hazel. If you called her to say you could not come for some reason, she would say, "Come right now. I am waiting for you." Or "Take this class - you are ready."
Right until she turned 92, she had two clients who came for sessions together. I spoke to them at the memorial, and they said that each session was an adventurous experience served with tea. She always served tea, to her students, to her clients, and to me whenever I went to give her a session. She also gave me lunch every time.
I gave her a session six days before she transitioned. I had been giving her sessions once a month and she had been doing well with chemo treatments. But because the tumor had recently resurfaced, her last chemo treatment was much stronger. In addition, her oncologist told her there was no cure and chemo was simply giving her some extra time. She was extremely depleted and feeling hopeless that day.
I told her not to give all her power away to someone who was wearing a white coat. I recommended "Radical Remission: Surviving Cancer Against All Odds: The 9 Key Factors that can Make a Real Difference", which is based on a scientific study of a number of patients who successfully cured themselves from cancer. Hazel was excited to learn about the nine characteristics common to all these survivors. She immediately sent a text to Mitro, her son, to order the book.
The next morning, however, she went into the hospital. Her other sons, who live in Taiwan and Hong Kong, came to her within 24 hours, and they were able to say goodbye.
Hazel was always giving little gifts to everyone. For both the First and Second Shiatsu Summits, she had me bring items for several people. In fact, she gave me a beautiful top many years ago, which I wore to her memorial on May 17, 2025.
Yoshi Nakano said that the light in his dojo room was blinking on and off (it had never happened before), and he knew that Hazel was behind it. My car alarm has been going off right after I come into my house. That has never happened before either.
Hazel, we know that you are now with your husband Mantle, the love of your life. We wish you love and peace wherever you are. Thank you for all that you have shared with the Shiatsu community for over 35 years.
Laughter begets laughter
Sooyong
💐 Thoughts of Hazel Chung
By Maureen C. Miller
Through Hazel’s long, amazing life, she wore many hats—and many dancing shoes. She embraced family and home, career and passion, travel and hobbies, as she circled through the many seasons and cycles of life.
My gentle, appreciative thoughts are with her sons and their families. A beautiful funeral service of celebration was shared.
For many years, Hazel and I were sisters in the art of Shiatsu. I am grateful for all the courses she invited me to teach at her Ohashiatsu Institute in Maryland. She gave students and instructors the opportunity to come together in circles of community and compassion as we leaned into our studies. Because of Hazel, many students at the OI Maryland went from Beginning I all the way to graduation.
Hazel was gracious, giving, and gifted—often expressing herself with gentle, grand gestures. In class, she gave a theatrical performance. Alone with you, she quietly and gracefully shared her personal insight and words of wisdom.
One night, after a long day of teaching an intensive, she flew and blew me away by taking me ballroom dancing. The movement was just what I needed.
Another time, she called me on my birthday and asked me to tell her all about my mother, who had passed quite some time ago. She listened deeply and responded in awe of my mother. What a precious gift she gave me. I will always remember Hazel.
When we lose special people in our lives, we remember their shining light. Though we may miss that light, we also hold dear the mirror of truth and love that they reflected back to us. Let’s keep both in our hearts.
Hazel was adventurous in nature, a lady from her crown to her dancing feet—and always young in thought, spirit, and movement.
Thank you, Hazel.
– Maureen
Comments