Embarking on a Bigu (avoiding grains or meals) workshop—an historic Chinese language fasting observe—was met with bewilderment from my household and mates. Why would a wholesome and slender particular person like myself select to take part in such a workshop, particularly when it entails paying to not eat?
As a seasoned journalist masking the therapeutic arts, with over 700 articles below my belt, I make a degree to delve into subjects I’ve substantial information about. Regardless of being nicely conscious of Bigu’s well being advantages extending past mere weight management, I felt compelled to discover it firsthand. The workshop, hosted by Dr. Kevin Chen—a retired scientist from the medical college of Maryland College and Affiliate Editor in Chief of “Chinese language Medical Qigong”—provided a wealth of experience and drew contributors from numerous backgrounds.
The three-day workshop, carried out through Zoom as a consequence of Dr. Chen’s present location in China, introduced collectively 29 contributors, with a mixture of newcomers like myself and seasoned attendees. The cohort comprised largely mature adults, together with instructors of Tai Chi, Qigong, yoga, Reiki, in addition to healthcare professionals corresponding to Chinese language drugs docs and culinary drugs specialists. Regardless of geographical disparities, we bonded over a shared aim—to attain a profitable Bigu expertise. Communication exterior the classes was facilitated by means of the WhatsApp cell app, the place skilled practitioners provided steerage and assist.
The Bigu course of unfolds in three levels. Previous to fasting, we obtained directions on how you can put together ourselves, together with methods for gulping Qi (bio-energy). People with particular well being considerations have been supplied tailor-made recommendation. Armed with mineral water as an vitality supply, together with bananas and apples as backup snacks, I felt able to deal with the problem.
The fasting commenced on the night of Thursday, March 14th, following a preparatory assembly the evening earlier than, which alleviated any lingering apprehensions amongst contributors. Although I don’t have diabetes or different well being points, typically starvation leaves me irritable, or causes bodily tremors at instances. I used to be stunned to seek out myself unaffected in the course of the fasting interval. Dr. Chen defined that the observe of “Gulping the Qi” might need contributed to this, as a full Qi diminishes the need for meals—an perception drawn from the practices of Buddhist and Daoist monks.
Removed from mere fasting, Bigu embodies a holistic strategy to wellness, incorporating components of nature, self-adjustment methods, and non secular elevation. Day by day classes led by Dr. Chen included Qigong workout routines, meditation, and self-massage, infusing us with vitality. Evenings have been devoted to lectures on the historical past, idea, well being advantages, and the non secular enlightenment of Bigu, augmenting our understanding and empowering us to navigate the fasting journey intelligently.
Listening to our our bodies, as advocated by Dr. Chen, allowed contributors to increase the fasting interval primarily based on consolation ranges. I would quick longer if my schedule allowed. I accomplished three and a half days, some selected to extend their fasts, with one participant enduring a outstanding 14 days, who’s a Qigong teacher and had undergone Bigu 19 instances. Submit-fasting, we transitioned right into a restoration part, step by step reintroducing meals whereas adhering to particular dietary tips to help detoxing and digestive readjustment. We have been taught how you can put together kale salad and nappa cabbage soup to eat and no animal merchandise, i.e. eggs, meats. We must always by no means eat an excessive amount of and 70% full is good. He additionally supplied data on normal consuming steerage, anti-aging and anti-fat food regimen, Glycemic Index of meals, vitality food regimen for 4 seasons, Ten finest meals for weight reduction, and weight watching options.
Reflecting on my expertise, I noticed a modest weight lack of 4% of my physique weight adopted by subsequent regain, alongside enhancements in pores and skin texture and sleep high quality. Nonetheless, there have been two moments of dizziness, remedied with saltwater and half of an apple. Dr. Chen elucidated the well being advantages of Bigu, citing scientific research that underscore its efficacy in enhancing well being. In response to him, the well being advantages of Bigu realizes within the following manner: when folks fasting 12 – 14 hours, physique begins fatty-acid primarily based metabolism to drop a few pounds; 14 – 16 hours, physique produces extra progress hormone (HGH); 16 – 18 hours, physique begins autophagy to reboot immune system; 72 extra hours, physique generates extra stem cells or rejuvenation course of begins. Moreover, mind well being improves with cognitive enhancement.
Regardless of its myriad benefits, Dr. Chen cautioned towards hasty endeavors into Bigu, emphasizing the significance of bodily and psychological preparedness, gradual development, and medical session—particularly for people with preexisting well being situations.
For me, the Bigu workshop served as a transformative journey, prompting a deeper appreciation for this historic artwork. Given the chance, I’d gladly undertake it once more, desirous to delve additional into its intricacies.