Question 1

What is Bigu? Is it just starving yourself?

Accepted Answer

Bigu is not about starving! It’s a 2,000+-year-old Taoist practice of "energetic fasting," where you activate your body’s natural "energy reserves" through breathwork (called 服气 "gulping qi") and meditation. In other word, Bigu is a skill of no-eating but no feeling of hunger.

Question 2

How is Bigu different from fasting or starvation?

Accepted Answer

:   Starvation is passive and dangerous: Your body enters "survival mode," breaking down muscle for energy and causing dizziness.   Bigu is active and strategic: Through breathwork and daoyin movement, you switch your body from "carb-burning" to "fat-burning," while detoxifying.

Question 3

How long should my first Bigu session go? Is 7 days better?

Accepted Answer

Start small and add time gradually! Think of it like a video game:
1.	Level 1: 3-day "light fasting" (1 meal/day + breathwork practice).
2.	Level 2: 3-5 days  water fasting once you’re comfortable, with a coach to avoid pitfalls (like low blood sugar).
3.	Level 3: 7 days standard Bigu fasting

The 5-Day Daoist Bigu (Fasting) Workshop with Dr. Chen in November