Debunking Myths about Bigu –The Ancient Wellness Practice
(With Insights from Medical Professors & Exclusive Tips from Our Bigu Camp)
Kevin W Chen, Ph.D. MPH
Q1: What is Bigu? Is it just starving yourself?
A: 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 “gulping qi”) and meditation. In other word, Bigu is a skill of no-eating but no feeling of hunger. Think of it as your body’s “system reboot”—you’re learning to thrive without food, not just enduring hunger.
✅ Scientific Analogy: Like putting your phone into “super power-saving mode), Bigu triggers your body’s “autophagy” process, burning visceral fat for energy instead of relying on food.
Q2: How is Bigu different from fasting or starvation?
A: 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. After 3 days, most people of Bigu feel more energetic—like switching a car from gasoline to electric power!
⚠️ Key Difference: Three days of starvation may land you in the ER; while 7 days of proper Bigu lets you function normally (with professional guidance, of course!).
For more information about the health benefits of Bigu, go to: https://yang-sheng.com/?p=12529
Q3: Can Bigu help with weight loss? Will the lost weight come back?
A: Short-term, it’s like a “natural liposuction”—you’ll lose water weight and fat. But expect a 3-5 lb rebound when you resume eating (normal for any diet).
✅ Long-Term Success: After multiple sessions of Bigu, your body craves lighter foods, making it easier to maintain a healthy weight.
📊 Data Point: Short-term: Lose 6-12 lbs in 7 days (80% fat, 20% water). Long-term: 80% of our 3-time campers keep the weight off, thanks to gut microbiome adaptation.
⚠️ Rebound Prevention: Our “grain-free refeeding plan” (start with millet soup!) keeps your metabolism in fat-burning mode.
Q4: Is Bigu just a superstition? Does modern medicine accept it?
A: Bigu is not a superstition, but an important practice for mind-body cultivation and spirituality. Modern medicine says “cautiously yes” to it with more and more research in this subject !
✅ Medical Backing-up:
- Shenzhen Zhongshan Seventh Hospital uses “Chinese Fasting Therapy” to safely lower blood sugar in diabetic patients under supervision.
- Top academic journals like the New England Journal of Medicine and Nature confirm intermittent fasting improves insulin resistance and reduces inflammation.
- In some countries like Japan and Australia, fasting therapy has become one of the acceptable alternative healing tools.
⚠️ Warning: Long-term unsupervised Bigu can cause nutrient deficiencies—always work with experts.
Q5: How long should my first Bigu session go? Is 7 days better?
A: Start small and add time gradually! Think of it like a video game:
- Level 1: 3-day “light fasting” (1 meal/day + breathwork practice).
- Level 2: 3-5 days water fasting once you’re comfortable, with a coach to avoid pitfalls (like low blood sugar).
- Level 3: 7 days standard Bigu fasting (water only)
❗ Pro Tip: If you feel dizzy, suck on 1-2 red dates and drink warm water—no shame in a “health reset”!
Q6: Should I rest all day during Bigu?
A: Nope! You can go to work normally during Bigu. Light movement like walking or tai chi boosts circulation (like charging your phone while browsing). But skip heavy lifting or intense workouts—you don’t want to “overload the battery.”
✅ Best Practices: 30-minute walks daily + sunshine + gentle qigong practice to stay energized.
Q7: Can Bigu cure many diseases? Such as cancer?
A: Bigu is a “body maintenance technician,” not a miracle cure! Bigu does not cure any disease, but focuses on activating human self-healing power. The self-healing power cures many diseases.
Bigu excels at resetting metabolism for issues like obesity, high blood pressure, and constipation.
⚠️ Critical Note: Life-threatening conditions like cancer need modern medical care first. Bigu can aid recovery as complementary therapy.
Q8: Why is Bigu safer and more effective in weight-watching than other diets?
A: No pills, no powders, no side-effects —just natural methods like breathwork and guided detox.
✅ 3 Safety Advantages:
- No organ stress: Avoids liver/kidney damage from diet pills (23% of weight-loss meds harm the liver!).
- Targeted fat loss: Burns visceral fat first (lose 2-3cm from your waist weekly!).
- Metabolic reboot: Boosts calorie burn by 12% post-Bigu—so you lose more even at rest!
For more information about our next Daoist Bigu workshop, go to: https://yang-sheng.com/?p=12529
Q9: What should beginners watch out for?
A: For beginners in Bigu, it is recommended to reduce physical exertion and practice more qi-gathering. Have a peaceful mood; Maintain the perception and exchange of energy with the surrounding environment. Some people may feel dizzy when squatting, standing or sitting up. The movements should be gentle and slow. For those who are fasting for the first time, they should not pursue the length of Bigu fasting. Instead, they should learn to listen to their body’s reactions. It is generally recommended that the duration should not be too long; seven days is sufficient.
- Hydrate smartly: Sip 50-100ml water hourly—don’t wait till you’re thirsty.
- Move slowly: Avoid sudden standing to prevent dizziness (yes, it happens!).
- Sunlight therapy: 1 hour daily sunbathing (back-facing) to absorb natural energy.
- Sleep tips: Massage Yongquan point (sole of foot) before bed to improve sleep.
- Emergency fix: Honey water or ginseng slices if head dizziness strikes.
Q10: Can underweight people try Bigu?
A: Absolutely! Many thin people have “strong appetite, weak digestion.” Bigu rebalances metabolism, improving nutrient absorption. Post-Bigu, most gain weight healthily—no more “skinny but tired”!
Q11: Will Bigu make me lose muscle?
A: Not if done scientifically! Shenzhen Zhongshan Seventh Hospital’s “fat-burning, muscle-preserving” protocol uses L-carnitine injections and Chinese herbs to shed 4kg fat per session without muscle loss.
⚠️ Danger Zone: DIY Bigu without nutrition support can lead to muscle wasting—don’t risk it!
Q12: Can people with diabetics do Bigu?
A: Insulin-dependent diabetics: No self-attempts! But under medical supervision, type 2 diabetics can use Bigu to stabilize blood sugar. Many need 2+ sessions of 14 to 21 days of Bigu for best results.
Q13: Can women do Bigu during their period?
A: Listen to your body! Fit women can continue with reduced exercise; those prone to fatigue should pause or seek guidance. Bigu during period may even help detoxifying and regulating hormones—just have brown sugar ginger tea handy for dizziness.
Q14: Is bad breath during Bigu a sign of detox?
A: Short-term (first 3 days): Yes, due to ketone metabolism—brush teeth and stay hydrated. However, Long-term bad breath (over 7 days): A red flag for stomach lining irritation. Use ginger slices or consult your coach.
Q15: Is Bigu safe for everyone?
A: 5 groups should avoid Bigu fasting or seek professional help:
- Pregnant/nursing women
- Insulin-dependent diabetics
- Seniors over 75 or children under 12
- Post-surgery patients
- Individuals with mental health conditions
Q16: What if I get really hungry and shaky during Bigu?
A: As long as you practice required gulping-qi skills every day according to the instruction, you won’t feel so hungry as to panic. Because Bigu is the technique of not eating and not feeling hungry. If you don’t practice your skills properly and feel extremely hungry, please keep these three “first aid kits” safe! :
- Sip warm water to calm stomach acid.
- Practice “Gulping-qi” technique: 12 deep breaths, imagining light filling your lower dantian (abdomen).
- Eat Imaginary banquet: Mentally enjoy a meal—your brain can trick your stomach!
Bonus: 1-3 red dates or nuts in our camps—like a “5-minute energy boost” for your body.
In our Bigu workshop we will teach many other anti-hunger exercises and methods, such as taking a couple of raw nuts or red dates (no more than 3) in the mouth, just like giving a mobile phone a “fast charge for 5 minutes”.
Q17: Can I work out or stay active during Bigu?
A: Yes! Light activity like office work or swimming actually helps awakening your body’s energy. Just avoid sweating profusely—think “gentle activation,” not “marathon training.”
Q18: Does the season matter for Bigu?
A: The answer varies by individuals. Spring and autumn are ideal for beginners—mild weather makes energy absorption easier. Advanced practitioners can try winter Bigu (post-summer/fall detox, like animals preparing for hibernation).
Analogy: Like charging a phone—some take 1 hour, others 3; find your rhythm!
Q19: Why do Taoist Bigu use 7 days as a standard cycle?
A: Your cells renew every 7 days (“七日来复”). It’s a universal rhythm:
- Wounds heal in 7 days
- Colds resolve in 7 days
- even chicken embryos hatch in 3×7 days!
For deep detox, extend to 14/21 days—but always build up gradually.
Q20: Why is sunbathing important during Bigu?
A: Sunlight fills you with vital energy and calcium—especially on your back (yang energy zone). Avoid midday sun in summer; winter sun is golden. 1 hour daily keeps your energy balanced.
Q21: Why do I feel cold sometimes during Bigu?
A: Your body is adjusting to burning fat instead of carbs—like a car switching fuel types. Trust the process! Once your “inner yang energy” awakens, the cold feeling disappears.
Q22: Will I gain weight back after Bigu?
A: Only if you rush back to junk food! Follow our refeeding plan you can keep the body weight away:
- Day 1: Rice or NAPA soup
- Days 2-3: Soft noodles + veggie broth
- Days 4-7: Steamed veggies + fruit
- Wait 10 days before oily foods—your body will thank you!
Q23: Can Bigu make me smarter?
A: Ancient texts say yes! Modern science links fasting to BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), a “smart molecule” that boosts memory and creativity. Some of our campers report breakthrough ideas during Bigu!
Q24: Why call your program “Scientific Bigu”?
A: We follow 5 strict standards in Bigu practice:
- Medical screening: Check insulin, electrolytes, and more before starting.
- 3-phase operation system: 10-day prep → 7-day Bigu → 10-day refeeding.
- Daily monitoring: Track weight, ketones, and heart rate daily.
- Physician partnership: 20-minute emergency referral to top hospitals.
- Data-driven results: Get a 21-marker metabolic report after each workshop.
Final Thought
Bigu is a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern science. As Dr. Qin Jian from Zhongshan Seventh Hospital says, “It’s not about resisting food—it’s about teaching your body to thrive without it.” Ready to try? Start with our Weekend Light Fasting Trial—your body’s first step to a deeper reset!
Note: Always consult a healthcare professional before starting Bigu, especially if you have preexisting conditions.
