The Daoist Bigu (Fasting) Workshop with Dr. Chen - Online July 2024

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the crucial role of a strong immune system during public health crises. As the pandemic continues, investing in our self-healing potential and overall health resilience becomes increasingly vital. Now is the time to prioritize our well-being and longevity by embracing the ancient practice of Qigong Bigu (energetic fasting).

Qigong fasting, or Bigu (避谷), is an ancient tradition deeply rooted in Daoist practices. Contrary to common misconceptions, Bigu does not involve starvation but rather selective avoidance of grains and meats while nourishing the body through alternative methods. By abstaining from certain foods and harnessing alternative sources of energy, practitioners can achieve detoxification, immune system enhancement, and longevity.

A recent research reported that fasting for 2 days could promote cell regeneration of the immune system. The 2016 Nobel Prize for medicine (Autophagy) supports the health benefits of fasting. A recent 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.”

What?

With years of personal experience and study of Bigu, Dr. Kevin Chen from University of Maryland School of Medicine will offer his unique teaching of Qigong Bigu. The workshop will teach (and practice) the following:

• The basic theory and principles of Qigong fasting,
• The Mind technique of Bigu fasting (Mindset) — synchronize with the immortals and Gods
• Preparation skills for a fasting (physically and mentally)
• Information leading to fasting status (信息辟谷）
• The specific techniques on how to fast, including turtle breathing, skin-breathing meditation, gulping Qi fasting (服气辟谷), Daoist Qi-gathering Qigong, energetic walking meditation, exchange energy with the trees, and a set of fasting Qigong exercises
• In-take fasting pill skills
• Acupressure for fasting
• Overview of the health benefits of Bigu,
• Scientific exploration of where energy come from during Bigu
• How to assess if you are doing it right, and what to do if you feel very hungry
• How to break the Bigu fasting (resume normal eating)
• How to maintain the positive outcomes after Bigu fasting
• Daily Q&A session.

With long-term Bigu study and practice Dr. Chen will share techniques of Daoist qigong Bigu (energetic fasting), 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. One of significant differences between regular fasting and Qigong Bigu is that Dr. Chen is going to teach you how to gather energy (qi) through alternative sources so that you will not feel hungry without eating... The class will not only make fasting 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 have the option to do Bigu fasting for 4 days or 7 days, or even longer.

When: July 10-14, 2024 (Wednesday to Sunday)

• July 10 (Wednesday): 7:00 to 9:30pm EST -- Introduction, opening ceremony, daily plan & basic techniques
• July 11 (Thursday): 9:30 to 11:30am (EST) gathering qi and qigong practice (optional); 7:00 to 9:30pm (EST) — how to have a successful Bigu, and technical issues
• July 12 (Friday): 9:30am to 11:30am (EST), qigong practice, and 7:00–9:30pm (EST, Lecture + Q&A) note: we start later so that people from West coast can attend easily)
• July 13 (Saturday): 9:30am to 11:30am (EST, qigong practice) and 7:00–9:30pm (EST, Lecture + Q&A )
• July 14 (Sunday): 10:45am –1:00pm (EST) -- how to break the Bigu, and how to maintain the positive outcomes with lifestyle modification.

Note: in case that you have to miss 1 or 2 class due to work or other commitment, we will have video-recording of the class available for you to catch up at a later point.

Where: Online Workshop with Zoom Platform --You 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 PowerPoint presentations. If you don’t have computer, a smart phone can also be used (just not easy to see clearly, especially when you learn the qigong exercises.)Download the Zoom APP here: https://zoom.us/

Note: The conditions that may not be appropriate to go through energetic fasting (Bigu) at this moment:

• Those who is currently having mental disorders, or a history of psychitic disorders.
• Extreme physical weakness, or those who are so ill that cannot take care of themselves.
• Patients with following severe symptoms: internal bleeding or vomiting blood, ulcer perforation, serious infarction particularly, severe heart disease and angina pectoris, severe kidney disease, and the stage 2-3 pulmonary tuberculosis.
• The patients who have long-term use of insulin or epinephrine, or the liver, kidney and other organ transplant recipients.
• Growing children (under 16) and adults with less than 85 lb. in weight.

Please email Dr. Kevin Chen at Qigong4us at hotmail dot com for more detailed information or any questions. Thanks!

Group discount available for 2 or more, please request for details!

For more Information: http://yang-sheng.com/?p=12529