Experience Authentic Daoist Fasting Techniques
with Dr. Kevin Chen
Experience Authentic Daoist Fasting Techniques
with Dr. Kevin Chen
About |. Why Bigu? | Schedule | Pricing |. Registration & Discounts
Why Join the March 2026 Retreat?
If you’ve been looking for a safe, natural way to:
Detox your body completely
Reboot your metabolic & immune systems
- Lose weight naturally with minimum rebound
Reset your body and mind
Activate self-healing for chronic issues
Slow aging and rejuvenate your cells
Build inner calm and clarity
…then this five-day ONLINE Retreat offers a complete mind-body transformation.
Now in its seventh year, Dr. Kevin Chen’s Bigu retreats have guided hundreds toward better health, vitality, and long-term wellness—integrating classical Daoist wisdom with modern science.
Science-Backed Benefits
Modern research increasingly supports fasting’s regenerative power:
Boosts autophagy, helping cells cleanse and renew (Nobel Prize 2016, Dr. Yoshinori OhSumi)
Aids immune and metabolic regeneration (NEJM 2019; Cell Metabolism 2015)
Detoxifies the digestive and endocrine systems
Lowers inflammation and rejuvenates the skin
Improves mental clarity and focus
Promotes longevity through microbiome balance
Daoist Bigu “fasting”, when skillfully guided, becomes a path of self-healing, balance, and lightness.
Highlights of the Retreat:
Led by Dr. Kevin W. Chen, Ph.D., MPH, the retreat includes:
The Bigu Mindset
Aligning with higher consciousnessDaoist Meditation and Energy
Cultivation techniquesFasting Practices
Turtle breathing, skin-breathing, and gulping-qiDaoist Qigong Routines
Energy gathering and circulation; Kidney nourishing Qigong; Standing PosturesAcupressure Methods
For detox, fasting, and pain reliefBigu Fasting Pills
How to make and take the Bigu herbal pillsGuidance
Entering, maintaining, and breaking the Bigu safelyDaily Q&A and Attention
Personalized energy adjustments as we go
Experience gentle but profound renewal—from within.
CLICK HERE to see all discount codes & instructions
Registration & Fees
Online Attendance:
Sign up with Full Pay or $50 Deposit
Early Bird Rate: $300
($150 returning students)Regular Rate: $375
($190 returning)
For the Early Bird Discounts, register by Wednesday, February 25, 2026 or until spaces are full.
- Get one Online Bigu Retreat Free when you join our weekly Sunday Qigong Class with an annual membership
(You get one free Bigu retreat per year as an annual subscriber when you pay monthly or annually.) - Senior Citizens 65 and over as well as students receive an additional 10% Discount.
- Click Here To See All Pricing Options & Discount Codes
Note: The pricing is slightly higher due to us now covering the credit card & processing fees. This actually ends up making your cost slightly less on our new system.
Spring 2026 Daoist Bigu Wellness Retreat
Rebuild Your Health, Renew Your Energy, and Reboot Your Life
Spring Session: March 11–15, 2026 (Wed–Sun)
READ ARTICLE: Health Benefits of Bigu Fasting
What Is Daoist Bigu Fasting?
Bigu (避谷)—translated as “avoiding grains”—is an ancient Daoist and Buddhist health practice also known as energetic fasting.
Unlike regular fasting, Bigu doesn’t rely on willpower or starvation. Instead, practitioners nourish the body through Qi (energy), light, vibration, and meditative awareness—transitioning from physical food to subtler forms of nourishment.
A unique feature of true Bigu practice: you don’t feel hungry. Energy-gathering techniques replace the sensation of hunger, allowing for deep physical and mental clarity.
“Daoist Bigu is not deprivation—it’s reactivation of your body’s natural energy system.”
Learn more in our Bigu Retreat FAQ.
Retreat Schedule
March 11 (Wed)
7:00 – 9:30 pm EST — Opening ceremony, introduction & Q&A
March 11–15 (Thur – Sat)
9:30–11:30 am — Qigong & energy cultivation
7:00–9:30 pm — Lecture & Q&A on Bigu principles
- March 15 (Sun)
10:00 – 12:00 pm — Breaking the fast and lifestyle integration
All sessions are recorded for replay.
About Dr. Kevin Chen
Dr. Chen is a leading scholar-practitioner of Daoist Qigong and integrative health, with decades of experience teaching and researching medical Qigong in the U.S. and Asia. A former faculty member at UM School of Medicine, he serves as Deputy Secretary-General of the World Academic Society of Medical Qigong and is the associate editor of Chinese Medical Qigong (College Textbook – London: Singing Dragon, 2010).
Having personally practiced Bigu two to three times per year for over 26 years, Dr. Chen brings deep insight into how energy replaces food and how ancient methods can rejuvenate modern life.
Notes, Precautions & Medical Disclaimer
Bigu fasting is not recommended for individuals with severe physical illness, organ transplant history, or psychotic disorders, nor for children under 16 or adults under 85 lb. If unsure, please consult Dr. Chen before registering.
This retreat and all related classes are educational and are not a substitute for medical care. The information provided, including Qigong and Daoist Bigu fasting practices, is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider before beginning fasting, changing medications, or making significant changes to your diet, exercise, or treatment plan, especially if you have a medical condition, take prescription drugs, are pregnant, or have recently undergone surgery. Participation is voluntary, and you agree to take full responsibility for your own health, decisions, and outcomes.