Five Days to Cellular Renewal: Reboot Your Health with the Ancient Daoist Bigu Retreat

The Alchemy of Absence: Why Daoist Bigu is the Ultimate Reset for Your Modern Life

辟谷养心、祛病强身、 延年益寿

Kevin W CHEN， Ph.D. MPH

【Summary：While modern wellness pushes more supplements and hacks, Daoist Bigu (energetic fasting) works differently. Backed by Nobel‑level science, Bigu is not starvation. Through Qi‑gathering methods, you can cut solid food intake with little hunger, activating autophagy, immunity reset, gut‑microbiome balance, metabolic repair and mental clarity for self‑healing. This article covers: ✅ Bigu vs conventional calorie restriction ✅ Key scientific supporting evidence ✅ Documented real‑world Bigu cases ✅ Core content of our 5‑day live‑online Nov 4‑8 2026 retreat ✅ Critical safety contraindications. If you feel burnt‑out or metabolically stuck, read on. Explore our small‑group online retreat taught by Dr. Kevin  Chen, 25+‑year Bigu practitioner‑instructor.】

In our hyper‑connected, fast‑paced world, most of us carry a quiet, persistent kind of exhaustion. Our calendars are full, our notifications never stop, and our bodies are bombarded with endless food choices, supplements, wellness hacks, and productivity pressure. We eat well, sleep when we can, yet still feel drained, mentally foggy, and stuck in repeating health patterns. We crave a genuine “factory reset”, but most popular solutions leave us disappointed: expensive supplements deliver marginal gains, gruelling crash diets leave us hangry and burnt‑out, and busy schedules make long‑distance wellness retreats nearly impossible.

What if profound physical cleansing and metabolic renewal do not come from adding more things into your life — but from skillfully creating intentional absence? This is the ancient promise of Daoist Bigu, or energetic fasting — a practice now reinforced by Nobel‑prize‑winning cellular science.

We invite you to join us in the transformative 5‑day Daoist Bigu retreat this November. In this live‑guided programme, you will unpack how Bigu works, what it can (and cannot) do for human health, and how you can safely practise it from the comfort of your own home.

Beyond Starvation: The Bigu Difference

When people hear the word “fasting”, the first mental image is often gnawing hunger, low energy, and grim self‑denial. That understandable stereotype is why so many people write off extended fasting as something only highly‑disciplined extreme practitioners could endure.

Daoist Bigu operates from a completely different premise. Rooted in thousands of years of Daoist and Buddhist cultivation traditions, Bigu is not simply “choosing not to eat”. It is a deliberate shift of your body’s primary fuel source. While you step away from grains and heavy solid foods, you learn specialised meditation, gulping‑Qi and turtle‑breathing qigong techniques that open latent physiological channels to draw Qi, light and vibrational energy from the surrounding natural environment.

This is where Bigu surprises most first‑time learners: when you master these energy‑gathering skills, significant hunger fades away. Your digestive system gets a much‑deserved rest, while your overall energy level often rises rather than collapses.

Back in 2017, Chinese national television CCTV documented a remarkable public Bigu challenge: one‑hundred‑and‑eight selected practitioners completed a 28‑day Bigu experiment in a remote mountain setting, under continuous on‑site surveillance by journalists and observers. The publicly recorded case offers real‑world proof that properly‑guided energetic fasting is not mere folklore. You can view the documentary to see these participants’ experiences for yourself.

Ancient Wisdom Meets Nobel-Winning Science

For millennia, Daoist masters observed the benefits of Bigu through lived practice. Today, mainstream biomedical research is catching up, identifying concrete biological mechanisms that explain these observed effects.

• Cellular house‑cleaning via autophagy: Yoshinori Ohsumi was awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for uncovering autophagy — the cell’s built‑in recycling system that breaks down and clears damaged cellular components. Controlled fasting is one of the most powerful triggers for activating this deep‑level cellular renewal.
• Immune‑system regeneration: Research published by Cheng et al. (2014) demonstrates that prolonged controlled fasting can push dormant stem cells back into self‑renewal mode, supporting full‑scale immune‑system reboot.
• Gut‑microbiome remodelling: Studies featured in Nature Communications show that calorie‑restricted conditions encourage a more beneficial gut‑microbiome profile, which is closely linked to longevity, metabolic stability and systemic inflammation control.

Decades of peer‑reviewed literature reinforce these themes. Longo & Mattson landmark 2013 review in Cell Metabolism concluded that fasting interventions hold real potential to delay biological ageing and support disease prevention, while minimising many harms linked to chronic restrictive dieting.

In 2019, the New England Journal of Medicine published a comprehensive review by de Cabo and Mattson, summarising clinical evidence showing intermittent fasting produces broad‑spectrum benefits for obesity, type‑2 diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, neurological disorders and even certain cancer risk pathways.

Further work from Brandhorst et al. (2015) highlighted that periodic fasting‑mimicking diets support multi‑organ regeneration, sharpen cognitive function and extend lifespan in pre‑clinical models. In short: controlled fasting is arguably our most accessible tool to awaken the human body’s inherent self‑healing capacity.

When practised with competent guidance, Bigu taps into exactly these biological pathways. Documented practitioner benefits span physical and mental domains: glowing complexion driven by improved micro‑circulation; deep systemic detoxification across digestive and endocrine tissues; genuine metabolic reset for sustainable weight management; sharper mental clarity and heightened sensory awareness; and tangible relief for many chronic concerns ranging from blood‑pressure instability to joint discomfort.

To understand more about Bigu fasting, read our previous blog post covering Questions & Anwers about Bigu practice.

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

• Detoxification – especially of the digestive system, and the entire endocrine system;
• Activate autophagy in immune calles, and reboot immune system
• Weight-watch through a metabolic system reboot (not the main goal, but it’s a safe and effective way to lose weight)
• Spleen and stomach tonification – 80% 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, less glucose, less stress 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 willpower and positive energy
• Great way to start mind-body cultivation and spiritual practice (Bigu boosts your sense of happiness)

If you would like to dive deeper, read our earlier Q&A blog on Bigu, as well as our article on health benefits of Bigu fasting backed by science at yang‑sheng.com/?p=13117.

Join Our Transformative 5-Day Online Retreat: November 4-8, 2026

I invite you to join me for a unique, live online experience where I will share the secrets of Daoist Bigu that I have practiced and taught for over 25 years.

What You Will Learn:

• The Bigu Mindset: How to synchronize with higher energy fields.
• Gulping Qi (服气辟谷): The ancient technique of “swallowing” nature’s essence.
• Turtle Breathing & Skin-Breathing: Specialized Qigong for energy absorption.
• Acupressure for Fasting: Techniques for pain relief and appetite control.
• Safe Transitioning: How to break the fast and maintain your results.

I will share techniques on how to prepare for Bigu fasting, how to cleanse and purify your body, how to generate Jing (essence), Qi (energy), and Shen (spirit) during Bigu fasting, and lead a daily qigong practice, 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 workshop will not only make fasting easier, but also bring ancient wisdom on diet and detoxification into your daily life. With proper guidance and careful monitoring, Daoist Bigu fasting can be a safe, effective way to promote health and wellness and increase the benefits of Qigong practice.

Retreat Details:

• When: November 4-8, 2026 (Wednesday to Sunday)
• Where: Live on Zoom (Participate from the comfort of your home)
• Recordings: All sessions are recorded if you miss a live class.

Special Offers:

• Early Bird: Register before October 10 and save 15% ($323 instead of $380).
• Returning Students: Special rate of $190 ($161 for early bird).
• Group Discounts: Bring friends with you and save up to 30%!

Space is limited to 36 new participants to ensure personalized guidance.

REGISTER & SECURE YOUR SPOT HERE

Don’t just survive the modern world—thrive in it. Give your body the gift of the “Alchemy of Absence” and discover the vibrant health that lies within.

Please email us if you need help setting up Zoom.
Download the Zoom app here

Daosecrets.net/bigu-retreats-registration

About the Instructor: Dr. Kevin W Chen:

I have researched, practised and taught medical qigong and Daoist Bigu for more than 25 years. Since 1999, I personally complete two to three full Bigu cycles each year, ranging from seven to 14 days, with my longest personal practice reaching 21 days — all while maintaining regular work and teaching responsibilities. I combine hands‑on Daoist lineage training with academic public‑health and clinical‑qigong expertise, and I am excited to bring this integrated curriculum directly to your home via Zoom.

Here is a short video on my participation of Daoist Bigu in Mountain Zhong-nan:

Important safety note: Bigu energetic fasting is not suitable for everyone. Please do not join if you:

• Have psychotic disorders, or a history of psychotic illness
• Have extreme physical weakness, or serious illness.
• Patients with the following severe symptoms: internal bleeding or vomiting blood, ulcer perforation, recent heart attack, severe heart disease and angina pectoris, severe kidney disease, and stage 2-3 pulmonary tuberculosis.
• Patients who have long-term use of insulin or epinephrine, or liver, kidney, and other organ transplant recipients.
• Children under 12 and adults who weigh less than 85 lb.

Please email me at Qigong4us@hotmail.com or Allwyn at alja78@aol.com for more information or if you have any questions. Thanks!

You may Join the FREE Facebook Group for discussion and updates.

You may also be interested in Dr. Chen’s Online Weekly Qigong for Health class every Sunday morning at 9 am EST (go to DaoSecrets.net/qigong or yang-sheng.com/?p=12654).

The planned next Bigu workshops in 2027 include:

• Spring Bigu Retreat: March 10-14, 2027
• Summer Bigu Retreat: July 7-11, 2027
• Autumn Bigu Retreat: November 3-7, 2027 (both on-site and online)

Alchemy is not about adding something new. It is about unlocking what already lies within.

Bigu, the alchemy of absence, creates space: space for cells to cleanse, for immunity to rebuild, for the mind to grow quiet, and for Qi to flow freely.

We spend our lives accumulating food, information, and possessions — yet true renewal can arrive in the empty spaces.

You do not have to travel far to taste this wisdom. Join our online retreat, and embark on a powerful journey of self‑restoration from home.

Ready for your deep‑level reset? Secure your spot before places fill up https://daosecrets.net/bigu-retreats-registration/.

Selected Testimony from previous participants:

“Since the Bigu fasting, I have only taken 3 half doses of my blood pressure medication.  My pressure now runs  between 115-135/51-75  without medication…..  I lost my taste for high carb/high sugar foods that I know are not good for me.  — M.C.

“I liked the Bigu fasting workshop online. It felt like a refresher course for me and an inspiration to practice consistently.”

“I really enjoyed the Bigu class. It was a great success! Thank you so much Kevin!” “I lost 10 lb. from 131 to 121 although it was not my goal.      My blood pressure is lower than before. From 134-130/86-85 to 125-118/84-76. Every day is different. I feel good and lighter. I did it for 7 days instead of 4 days. It’s good. It’s not as difficult as I thought would be. I will do it again in the future for self-detoxification. It’s a great way.” —– P. Y.

“I felt incredibly at peace, happy, energized, healthy and upbeat. No chatter in my brain.  I felt energized and comfortable in my skin and felt like I could finally get enough air.  My stomach stopped hurting…. The shoulder, neuropathy pain, and tingling in the feet and hands went away.  Afterwards, I was shocked that I was able to increase my range of stretch on my radiated side much more.  The skin on my face looked bright and felt extra soft.  I also noticed that some stubborn keloids that I had on my lower left abdomen healed in the center so that I had an inch of healthy healing in the middle of a very long keloid scar….  I felt wonderful during the fasting.”  — F.H.

“This has changed my mind about water fasting.  I have fasted with fresh vegetable juice many times before; now I can clearly see definite benefits of water fasting.  The teachers were very informative, they helped me to release fears!” — C.W.

“Very interesting challenges. It lets you get in touch with yourself, appreciation for water, breathing and qigong exercises, and their role in healing…. (my) allergies were less, feet were better, and feel clear headed.” — M.F.

“Digestion better; mindfulness improved; meditation more focused…. If you take the principles offered in the class, a person’s health will vastly improve.” — R.D.

“Very nice experience… My joint pain in hips & shoulders has been much less.” — P.T.

“I felt this fast was extremely successful!  It was my first time and I actually fasted for a week, because I felt so good during the fasting.  I had a wonderful time and it was mind-opening.  It broke a lot of my assumptions about food and the body and was a lot of fun in the group setting.” — F.H.

Register Online