Links will be forthcoming

The following research paper was presented at the 1999

Utilizing the Innate Self-regulatory and Self-healing Capacity on Weight Management

Do our bodies have any ability to help weight management? Through nearly 30 years of Qigong practice and research, the author believes that Bigu Qigong is one of the most effective ways to utilize the innate self-regulatory and self-healing capacity of the human body to control body weight.

Bigu translates literally as "avoid (bi) the grain (gu)". In practice it reflects the ability to live solely on qi without food. Bigu is a period during which the qigong practitioner’s vital energy transitions from the air one breathes and the essence of food and water to drawing one’s sustenance strictly from the qi in the air. For the experienced qigong practitioner, this is a natural process that occurs when the accumulation of qi reaches a certain level. The ability to sustain normal body functions from qi only is possible, with no change in one’s daily routine and there are no side effects. Some qigong practitioners can live on the qi, without food, for a long period of time oftentimes achieving and sustaining a much higher energy level through the physical and mental discipline of the bigu exercise. For weight loss, it combines reducing caloric intake, exercise, and behavior modification.

In 1996 the author began a personal and small group experiment. Results were presented at the Third World Conference on Medical Qigong, Beijing, China, 1996. In June 1999, a local newspaper reported that one of my weight management class participants had lost over 30 pounds over a six-month period following her attendance in the class. After receiving a number of public requests, the author conducted this experiment with 74 participants over a two-week trial during the period of July 6, 1999 and August 31, 1999. The group’s ages ranged from 21 to 81. There were 7 Males and 67 females in the study. During the two-week trial, subjects were taught two different Qigong exercises: one to control appetite, one to increase energy levels. Both exercises were experienced in a sitting or lying down position, using gentle breaths with mind concentration. Additionally, it was recommended to the exercises be accomplished in 15 minute intervals prior to the subjects three daily meals. Two rules were set: 1. Eat only when you are hungry. 2. Drink only when you are thirty. There were no food limitations. Class met one hour a day to do the exercise and discuss each subjects’ concerns.

The exercises facilitated in switching the body’s primary nutrient source from food to Qi. Special emphasis was placed on advising subjects this was not a deprivation study but rather a study to demonstrate the body’s ability to derive sustenance from sources other than food and in the process promote weight reduction.

Results/finding: At the conclusion of the two-week study, 58 of 74 attended more than 10 classes. There was a significant mean weight loss of 5.7, 5.69 and 7.66 pounds for 5 subjects from the normal weight group, 31 from the overweight group and 22 from the obesity group respectively. Even 16 of the 74 who attended only 6 of the classes on the average still lost 2.5, 2.6 and 3.44 pounds, 2 in the normal weight group, 5 in the overweight group and 9 from the obesity group respectively.

The subjects each reported a significant increase in energy levels post exercise for nine of the thirteen days. Hunger levels were significantly reduced ten of thirteen days. Blood pressure did not significantly change between pre and post measures.

The exercise controls hunger utilizing the innate self-regulatory and self-healing capacity from the body itself instead of seeking numerous drugs to limit calorie intake, forcing the body to change its own law unwillingly and causing side effects. Additionally, the exercise uses body fat as a source of energy rather than requiring subjects to do different physical exercises to burn up the fat. Many exercises are not fit for all ages and body weight is regained when physical exercise is stopped. As a behavior therapy designed to improve eating and physical activity habits, the exercise offered a solid base to ensure subjects were not hungry and were full of energy, thus, assisting them in following the two rules, eat and drink only when needed.

Mind concentration in conjunction with the special breath patterns used in Bigu Qigong played an important role in achieving study results, i.e., digestive function stimulation, heart and lung circulation, and increased circulation to the head and face all of which are key in achieving optimum self-regulation and self-healing.

During the first five days of the study, one subject was unable to concentrate due to family issues. The subject lost no weight. Once the author consulted with the subject her concentration improved and she lost six pounds during the remaining nine days of the study.Attendance was also a key in achieving the subjects’ weight loss goals.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Presented in the Second World Congress on Qigong, San Francisco, CA November 1997 and Published by Kung Fu/Qigong Magazine, November 1998

Based on the above understanding, Bigu Qigong demonstrates its big advantage on weight loss. Bigu translates literally as "avoid (bi) the grain (gu)". In practice it reflects the ability to live solely on Qi without food. Bigu is a period during which the Qigong practitioner’s vital energy transitions from the air one breaths and the essence of food and water to drawing one’s sustenance strictly from the Qi in the air. For the experienced Qigong practitioner, this is a natural process that occurs when the accumulation of Qi reaches a certain level. The ability to sustain normal body functions from Qi only is possible, with no change in one’s daily routine and there are no side effects. Some Qigong practitioners can live on the Qi, without food, for a long period of time oftentimes achieving and sustaining a much higher energy level through the physical and mental discipline of the bigu exercise. For weight loss, it combines reducing caloric intake, exercise, and behavior modification.

One of the most elusive principles of Qigong is quantifying Qi as a vital force. Scientific methods are just beginning to define its nature objectively, thus, supporting what has been experienced very profoundly on a more personal, subjective level. From the broadest viewpoint, everything is a form of energy. Body energy has an anatomy and physiology uniquely its own separate from the physical body. Despite the basic difference of air and food in terms of vibratory function and complexity, there is a homeostatic relationship between them in which one acts as a back-up system for the other.

Bigu can be found in many ancient Chinese texts, in individual legend and exercise methods to experience. Here are a few examples.

A story from Bao Puzi’s Inner Treaties said that: A man name Jian was hunting in the field when he fell into a deep tomb in his early age. He was so hungry. Then he saw a big turtle, its head moved up and down to swallow the air. Jian was told that a turtle is good at Daoyin – Conducting Qi, he imitated the turtle’s movement. He did not feel hungry any more until someone saved him one hundred days later. After that he had the Bigu ability – living on the air without food. The emperor Wei did not believe this and placed Jian in a room without food. One year later, Jian was still full of energy and his face had a normal healthy color.

Wang Chong Lun Heng –Dao Xue Pian from the Eastern Han dynasty, stated: "The people who live on Qi have longevity, although they do not eat enough grain they are still full of energy."

Among the historical relics unearthed from the Han Tomb No. 3 at Mawangdui, Changsha, Hunan Province, there was a silk book On Abandoning Food and Living on Qi and a silk painting Daoyin Illustrations of the early Western Han Dynasty period (3rd century B. C.). The former is a method of "inducing, promoting and conducting Qi"; the latter displays 44 colored "Daoyin Illustrations in which training exercises are painted.

As a Qigong practitioner, I have personally experience Bigu twice. From July 20, 1993 until August 3, 1993, my daily diet consisted of a cup of juice or an orange. The first three days were the most difficult as I continued to feel hungry. After the three-day adjustment period, I was able to control my appetite and hunger with the Qigong exercise and gradually increased my energy level as well.

During the two-week period I continued my normal work routine and required less sleep than normal; physically and mentally I felt very comfortable and relaxed. I lost a total of ten pounds in two weeks and have never gained the weight back. I repeated the same process for a two-week period in 1996 with similar results.

In June of 1996 I conducted a two-week weight loss experiment with twelve subjects most of whom had no previous Qigong experience. Subjects were initially taught two different Qigong exercises: one to control appetite, one to increase energy level. These exercises facilitated the body switching its primary nutrient source from food to Qi. Each subject was encouraged to eat and drink only what the body required. Emphasis was placed on the fact that this was not a deprivation study but rather a study to demonstrate the body’s ability to derive sustenance from sources other than food and in the process promote weight reduction.

At the conclusion of the two-week study, there was a significant mean weight loss of 11.2 pounds (5.06 kg) (p<. 0001); mean weight loss per day was 0.9 pounds (0.41 kg). Energy levels gradually increased over the two-week period with a concomitant reduction of hunger. Food consumption was rated on a six-point scale with a six representing three complete meals. Mean food consumption was rated fewer than two for all days except Day 3 and Day 11. (See Table I).

There was a significant increase in energy levels post exercise for nine of the 13 days (67%). Hunger levels were significantly reduced ten of thirteen days (77%). Blood pressure did not significantly change between pre and post measures. Ten of the twelve subjects lost a minimum of nine pounds during the fourteen day experiment; the two subjects who lost less than nine pounds (3 and 4 respectively), both performed the exercises less frequently and had a higher food consumption. All subjects returned to normal eating habits within three days of terminating the exercise. The results were presented at the Third World Conference on Medical Qigong.

Bigu Qigong is a safe and effective method for weight loss, which uses the exercise to reduce caloric intake under self-control; however, for the lay Qigong practitioner it is necessary to have an experienced teacher to guide them. Bigu is a viable protocol for long-term, sustained weight loss.

Pi Gu is a fasting program which comes from traditional Taoist practices. This is a lost art in China and with this book Tom has not only introduced this system to the Western world but provided those cultures previously familiar with the teachings a record of its existence and usage. The Pi Gu system is used by Tom in his clinic for weightloss and also for those looking to increase their spiritual understandings. This text explains the theory behing Pi Gu and also provides a discussion and explanation of the Tai Chi Dao Yin system of Qi Gong. Dao Yin is a simple exercise routine that is helpful for those in the Pi Gu fasting state as well as for building and maintaining health.

Below you will find excerpts from Tom Tam's Healing System text as well as links to other resources for further study. If you are interested in purchasing this, or other books by Tom Tam, please go to our Tom Tam book store.

Excerpts from Pi Gu: The Way of Chi Gong Fasting

From the "Theory of Pi Gu" Chapter
Modern Western theories can't explain Pi Gu. Since Pi Gu is an ancient Chinese practice and philosophy, we should go back to Chinese philosophy and combine it with modern knowledge to understand the theories behind this enduring approach to health maintenance.

In Traditional Chinese Medical Theory (TCM), when we eat food it is transformed into Chi, the vital energy that is stored within the body. No matter what kind of food is eaten, eventually all of it will produce a different kind of Chi and this Chi will then perform different functions within the body. In the universe, there are different types of Chi. But ultimately, no matter how many types of Chi there are in the universe, there are only two kinds of Chi: Yin Chi and Yang Chi.

When we practice Chi Gong, the state of Pi Gu can bring us to a higher level. Chi Gong is practiced so that Chi circulates better through the body. Pi Gu is another form of this practice. In ancient Chinese philosophy, we are told that we can eat Chi instead of food and as a result the body will become stronger. According to mystical legends, many people do not eat for a year and stay alive. In fact, this is possible. In daily life many Chi Gong practitioners can perform this task, not only the old monks and masters. The Chi that is to be consumed is taken from the universe, or it is already stored within the body.

This Chi is not something we can see, but rather something we can feel. It can be compared to the air that can sometimes be felt but never seen. In Chinese writing, Chi and air are represented by the same character.

In daily life we need food to supply us with the required minerals and vitamins. This is a simple common sense approach to good health. However, this wisdom applies when we are in a "normal" state. If we are in a special condition such as the Chi Gong state, we do not need food to achieve a balanced healthy condition and a high energy state.

From the "Fasting" Chapter
Western fasting methods cannot be continued for long because they are not in any way united with Chi. How many people are able to fast one week without any food? But in the Pi Gu state people can last a week, a month, or sometimes a year. Pi Gu is the eastern way of fasting. It can be achieved either through Chi Gong practice or by treatment from a Chi Gong practitioner.

From the "Value of Pi Gu" Chapter
Given the preceding discussion, many people may confuse Pi Gu with simple fasting. Or they will believe Pi Gu is only for weight loss or to clean out the body. Of course it can help the body reduce weight and cleanse the system, but that is not the only purpose. The major purpose is to keep the body in the Chi Gong state so that the body will balance itself automatically.

From the "Going into the Pi Gu State" Chapter
Not ingesting or avoiding food does not mean that you have gone into the Pi Gu state. As we have seen, fasting and Pi Gu have very different feelings. The fasting aspect of Pi Gu relates to the cessation of eating only in a physical sense. However, we must understand the difference between fasting and Pi Gu. When we are really in the Pi Gu state we should not feel hungry while physically feeling more energetic. Another benefit is that the mind will relax and feel more at ease, allowing a better night's sleep.

From the "Full Pi Gu and Half Pi Gu" Chapter
In these modern times, we have so many nutritionists. We like to use a formula to figure out how many calories are needed for daily expenditure, or how many vitamins, magnesium, calcium, and any of the minerals our body needs. But a person in a Pi Gu state can be more energetic and healthier without eating anything, although this does not make sense to most nutritionists. If we follow modern nutritional theories, then Pi Gu is only a fairytale from ancient China. Yet if we face the facts, we can see many people in Pi Gu who do not eat anything for a long period of time. When we think about Pi Gu, we cannot understand or explain how the body gets nutrition from the Pi Gu state. So we should not tie up our mind by science.

From the "The Best Way for Weight Loss" Chapter
In Western philosophy, the major purpose of fasting is to clean out the body and lose weight. Because Pi Gu is so new and is associated with the consumption of food, this leads to confusion regarding the true purpose of Pi Gu. Pi Gu is not limited to the concept of weight loss. It can be related to religion, philosophy, Chi Gong, health, healing, and nutrition. If we only examine it in the context of weight loss, this can lead to a complete misunderstanding of its true value.