November 2026 Bigu Retreat Details

Dear Fellow Bigu Practitioner,

A heartfelt welcome to you—you’re officially registered for our November 4-8, 2026 Daoist Bigu Workshop! ! I’m thrilled you’ve chosen to embark on this journey of mind-body renewal, and I want to emphasize one non-negotiable truth upfront:

Daoist Bigu is NOT simply abstaining from food. It is a 2,000-year-old skill of gathering Qi (life-force energy) by alterative sources to eliminate hunger, nourish your body, and unlock deep healing. The difference between a smooth, transformative Bigu experience and a struggle lies in your preparation. To thrive—not just endure—you must start practicing the Daoist techniques now that will let you “feel full with Qi, not food.”

  • Below is your guide to preparing intentionally. 
  • Please read this carefully, and let’s build the foundation for a safe, powerful retreat.

The #1 Priority: Start These Qi-Gathering Practices TODAY

Bigu’s core is “not-feeling hunger when Qi is full”—and these practices train your body to absorb and store Qi, so you won’t crave food during the retreat. Begin the preparation works two weeks before starting day to build your energy reserves:

1. Master Gulping-Qi (Turtle Breathing) – Your Anti-Hunger Superpower

This is the most critical Bigu technique—read about it below, watch the video, and start practicing it two weeks before the Bigu retreat so as to avoid discomfort later. The date to start is: Wednesday, September 21.

  • Practice 3x daily: Start with 12 mouthful “gulps” each session. Inhale with open mouth to absorb Qi from far-away, swollow  the Qi and send it into your lower abdomen (imagine filling a balloon); hold for 2 seconds, then exhale gently through your mouth.

  • Gradually increase: Add 3 gulps (mouthfuls) each day until you reach 36 gulps per session before November 3.

  • Test it out: To find out if your Qi-gulping is working, skip a meal after gulping qi exercise to see if you don’t feel hunger at all. If you can do this easily without hunger, then you have achieved the goal of Qi Gulping.

  • Learn from the video: Not sure how? Watch my step-by-step tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kUBc1DI7Gw

  • Unlock your Ren Meridian first: Before each gulping-qi exercise, you should do 3 rounds of “Qi-opening breathing”: Inhale through your nose (expanding your belly), exhale while silently making the sound “her” (feel the vibration in your chest), and visualize Qi flowing down to your chest first, then to lower dan-tian (belly button area). This opens your energy channels to absorb Qi more efficiently—you’ll feel fuller, faster.

2. Tongue Position & Saliva Cultivation – Nourish with “Qi Fluid”

Do this anytime, anywhere—it activates Qi flow, refills your essence (Jing) and nourishes your body without food:

  • Keep your tongue gently touching the upper palate (roof of your mouth) throughout the day.

  • When saliva builds up (it will!), swallow it slowly, sending it down to your lower dan-tian (more of a visualization process). This “golden fluid” is rich in Qi and supports digestion, even during fasting.

3. Skin-Breathing Meditation – Absorb Energy from Nature

Train your body to “absorb Qi” or breathe through your skin—this is Daoist Bigu’s secret:

  • Meditate for 10 minutes daily: Sit quietly, close your eyes, and imagine your entire body of skin poles open “breathing”—inhale imagining Qi from sunlight, fresh air, and nature flowing-in through the poles of skin; exhale sending those qi to lower dan-tian (belly area). repeat this skin breathing visualization multiple times.

  • This practice primes your body to thrive on alternative energy sources, making the transition to Bigu seamless.

Key Retreat Updates (November 4-8)

  • Start Date: We begin on Wednesday, November 4 (not Thursday) to cover more Daoist wisdom. I encourage you to try a full 7-day Bigu (a Daoist “complete life cycle” for deep detox and renewal), but you can still choose a 3–4 day fast (starting Friday) if that fits your schedule—we’ll support you either way.

  • Read FAQs First: Dispels myths and answers your questions—read them before the retreat.

  • WhatsApp Group: If you’re not already part of our Qigong discussion group, send your phone number to Allwyn (our technical support/teaching assistant: alja78@aol.com | +1 443-559-4517) immediately. This is where we troubleshoot, share tips, and build community—critical for first-time practitioners!

Must-Watch Videos to Deepen Your Understanding

The following videos reinforce why preparation matters—and inspire confidence and full preparedness:

Final Reminders

  • Referral Rewards: We still have a few spots open! Invite friends/colleagues to join the retrat —you’ll earn 20% reward per new participant (refer 3, and you will get full refund of your payment!).

  • Trust the Process: Bigu is not about starvation—it’s a upgrade to your body’s energy system. By practicing these techniques now, you’ll arrive on November 4 ready to “thrive on Qi,” not just survive without food.

Need Help?

If you have questions about the practices, preparation, or logistics,  reach to Dr. Chen  directly at Qigong4us@hotmail.com.  He will be there to support you every step of the way.

We can’t wait to guide you on this sacred path. Remember: The more you prepare now, the more profound your Bigu experience will be. May Qi flow freely, and may you arrive on November 4 ready to unlock your body’s natural ability to heal and renew.

With peace, healing Qi and blessings,

Kevin W Chen  Ph.D., MPH 

Former Faculty, University of Maryland School of Medicine 

Daoist disciple, and Long-term Bigu coach

P.S. For extra science-backed inspiration, check out these research videos on fasting: