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By Kevin W CHEN, Ph.D.

Bigu: The Best Investment in Your Health and Long-Term Wellness

辟谷养生、祛病强身、 延年益寿

The infectious diseases and their effects are still around the world, and around the corner. We are not sure what is the real cause of the virus, or when it may come back. As far as the good scientific advice goes, your best defense against the future pandemic may still be the strength of your immune system. If you have thought of investing more in your own health in your New-year Resolution, it is the time again to consider learning a powerful and unique health and healing practice from Daoist tradition — Qigong Bigu or fasting. This March we are offering the teaching of ancient Daoist wellness practice — Bigu (energetic fasting) — both on-site and online again in response to the overwhelming demands for better health and wellness. This is probably the best time for you to invest some in your health and well-being through Qigong Bigu and mindset training.

What is Bigu?

Energetic fasting, or Bigu (避谷), is an ancient health and longevity tradition used in Daoist and Buddhist practice. In fact all religions have some kind of fasting tradition. Bigu, which literally means “to avoid grain,” is unique to Daoist practice in their cultivation of mind-body-spirit. The idea is not to eat grain and meat, but you may eat other things during Bigu. Starving yourself is not necessary! Understanding this can dispel the fear many people have about Bigu, and eliminate the psychological burden of Bigu.

Bigu is not just no-eating; and it is definitely not starving yourself. Bigu refers to a way of living. By avoiding grain and cooked foods, and obtaining energy by alternative methods and technologies, one can achieve detoxification and health, cultivate qi and concentration, and prolong life. 

There are three main methods to practice Bigu that were recorded in ancient Chinese literature: information Bigu, gulping qi Bigu and taking-pills Bigu.  In addition, there are methods and practices of semi-Bigu and fruit-juice Bigu, which will not be discussed here. Information Bigu requires a successful qigong master to transmit Bigu information and help students enter into the Bigu state without feeling hungry. Taking pill Bigu refers to the use of special Bigu energy pills, so as to nullify the sensation of hunger. It is said that the secret recipe for truly effective Bigu pills has been lost. Contemporary Bigu pills are developed in accordance with what records remain of ancient recipes. Sun Simiao’s “A thousand gold formula” contains parts of 54 Bigu pill recipes. In addition, “Pu ji fang,” “Compendium of Materia Medica,” and other traditional Chinese medicine classics list the content of Bigu pills. 

Gulping-Qi with Qigong work is the most popular and the best way to do Bigu. Qigong Bigu refers to absorbing the energy of nature, collecting the energy of the light waves of the universe, and swallowing the qi or essence from nature through information, qi extraction and mind relaxation. Gulping Qi Bigu for health is written about in the literature unearthed from the Han Dynasty tomb in Changsha. In the Bigu workshop, Qigong Bigu will be the main method, though the other two methods of Bigu will be explored as well.

The Main Benefits of Bigu

Reduced calorie-intake and fasting with Bigu practice can slow down the aging process, detoxify the body, cleanse the digestive system, and increase bio-energy balance.  Scientific research supports these outcomes.

The 2016 Nobel Prize for medicine, awarded to Yoshinori Ohsumi for research regarding cellular autophagy, supports the health benefits of fasting.  Autophagy is the process of utilizing and recycling unnecessary or dysfunctional cellular components—the so-called cellular rubbish which accumulates in cells.  Autophagy becomes especially active when an organism is under stress (for example: fasting). When an organism is stressed, cells upcycle cellular rubbish to produce energy– that cellular rubbish includes disease-causing bacteria.  Ohsumi’s discovery indicates that abstaining from food and fasting promotes wellness—the body truly cleanses itself during fasting.

Another review of fasting studies in scientific literature (Longo & Mattson 2013, Cell Metabolism) came to the conclusion that “fasting has the potential to delay aging and help prevent and treat diseases while minimizing the side effects caused by chronic dietary interventions.” A relationship was discovered between long-living calorie-restricted mice and the types of microbes living in their guts. The finding, published in 2013 Nature Communications, suggests that one can live longer by establishing the right kind of microbes in the gut through a low-calorie diet.

In June 2000, a conference was held at Penn State University that explored the health benefits and scientific research of Qigong Bigu with 500+ attendants. 

Brandhorst et al. 2015 reported that fasting practice can regenerate the entire immune system and that “a periodic diet that mimics fasting promotes multi-system regeneration, enhanced cognitive performance, and lifespan. In other words, fasting is probably the most powerful way to activate the body’s self-healing potential.”
Research

In summary, the research-supported health benefits of Bigu may include:

• Detoxification – especially of the digestive system
• Boosts immune system (the immune system reboots after 72 hours of fasting)
• Weight-loss through a metabolic system reboot (not the main goal, but it’s a safe and effective way to lose weight)
• Spleen and stomach notification – 80% of those with stomach disease get cured after one Bigu practice
• Facial beautification and wrinkle reduction through self-melting, and increased micro-circulation
• Purification of the blood and softening of the blood vessels (due to increased metabolism and autophagy)
• Anti-cancer (more oxygen and increased body-heat during fasting)
• Repairs the body to get rid of chronic diseases (self-healing & self-regenerating)
• Slows down the aging process and returns youth (prolongs cell life)
• Cultivates wisdom – one thinks more clearly and more sensitively after fasting
• Increased survival ability
• Builds will-power and positive energy
• Great way to start mind-body cultivation and spiritual practice (Bigu boosts your sense of happiness)

Dr. Michael Mosley made a documentary “Eat, Fast, and Live Longer” for BBC. Here is a link to view the entire documentary: 

Given its known benefits, it is not surprising that scientists are interested in the relationship between fasting and longevity.

Highlights of Our Bigu Retreats

With years of personal experience and study of Bigu, Dr. Kevin Chen of the University of Maryland School of Medicine will offer his unique teaching of Qigong Bigu and alternative ways to gain energy in Ellicott City Wellness Center, as well as online through Zoom platform so as to meet the needs of different students.  The workshop will teach and offer practice in the following:

• The Bigu fasting mindset — how to synchronize with the higher power, the immortals, and Gods
• Physical and mental preparation skills for Bigu or fasting
• Information leading to Bigu status (信息辟谷）
• Specific Qigong techniques on how to do Bigu, which include turtle breathing, skin-breathing meditation, gulping Qi fasting (服气辟谷), five-element Bigu cleansing Qigong, energy exchange with trees, and Qigong exercises
• How to make and take Bigu pills (Those attending on-site will receive 4 Bigu pills)
• Acupressure for fasting and pain-relief;
• Introduction to the health benefits of Bigu,
• Scientific exploration of where energy come from during Bigu
• How to assess if you are doing Bigu right and what to do if you feel very hungry
• How to break the Bigu (resume normal eating)
• What are the healthy practices after Bigu workshop
• Daily Q&A session

Dr. Chen will share techniques on how to cleanse and purify your body, and lead a daily qigong practice during the training; as well as explain where life-energy comes from when you are not eating solid food.  Cleansing your body and blood of toxins with Bigu helps balance your energy! The class will not only make it easier, but you will also learn some ancient wisdom on diet and detoxification. You will learn how to implement this wisdom in your daily life. With appropriate guidance and careful monitoring Bigu or Qigong fasting can be a safe and effective way to encourage health and healing while increasing the benefits of Qigong practice.

You may read more on the subject “Where the energy come from during Bigu manifestation.”

The Bigu workshop promotes a tradition of preventive health and wellness, mind cultivation, stress management, and peace and happiness on life’s journey.

Upcoming Online Bigu Retreats: 

March 11-15, 2026  (Wednesday to Sunday)
INFO & REGISTRATION

Typical Workshop Flow:

• March 11 (Wednesday): 7:00 to 8:30pm EST (Online preparation, introduction)
• March 12 (Thursday): 7:00 to 9:30pm (EST — open ceremony, information dispatch, key techniques)
• March 13 (Friday):  9:30 to 11:30am EST, qigong practice; 7:00–9:30pm EST, Lecture + Q&A (note: we delay the start time so that people from the West coast could also attend online)
• March 14 (Saturday): 9:30 to 11:30am EST, qigong practice; and  7:00–9:30pm EST, Lecture + Q&A
• March 195(Sunday): 10:30am to 1:00pm EST, conclusion and how to break the Bigu fast

REPLAYS AVAILABLE: If you have to miss 1 or 2 online classes due to work or other commitments, we will have video-recordings available for later catching up.

Please Subscribe and also visit DaoSecrets.net/bigu to stay up to date about current and upcoming Bigu workshops, both online and in person options.

If you decide to attend the workshop online, from the comfort of your home, you will need a computer (desk-top or laptop)  with multi-media capabilities (camera, speaker and microphone) or an iPad (or other tablet) to attend the Zoom sessions and to see the Power Point presentations.  If you don’t have computer, a smart phone can also be used. Please email us for more instruction later.

Download the Zoom APP from zoom.us.

Highlights from a Previous In-Person Bigu Workshop: