How I discovered the Chi Cycle — and why it matters more now than ever

I first came across the concept of a 24-hour energy cycle as a student, and I was immediately fascinated. The idea was rooted in ancient Taoist alchemy: that chi — which is simultaneously energy, information, and consciousness — flows through the cosmos from the biggest planet to the smallest molecule,  connecting everything in a powerful rhythmic 24-hour loop.

They discovered that chi courses through us in that loop too, spending two hours in each of our twelve major organs. And they worked out that there are certain things we can do at certain times to benefit from that flow and increase our wellbeing, energy, and sense of purpose.

I didn’t just study this. I started living it. And right away I felt physical and emotional benefits. I then spent many more years researching, refining, and testing it, first on myself, then with thousands of clients, to see how to apply it to contemporary life. The result is what I now call the Chi Cycle lifestyle.

What is the Chi Cycle

The Chi Cycle lifestyle is a system for organising your day in harmony with the natural flow of energy through your body. Rather than fighting against nature’s rhythms which is what most people unknowingly do these days, you work with it.

At the simplest level that rhythm has 2 parts. There is a yang (active) part of the day, which runs until lunchtime, and a yin (restorative) part, which runs until midnight when the yang starts slowly building again. The big picture idea is to schedule productive, active things in the yang part of your day, and wind-down activities in the yin part

When you break it down further into 2-hour windows it looks something like this:

YANG

5am–7am — Get up, exercise, and do a chi practice. This allows a natural detox to occur and sets the energy for your whole day.

7am–9am — Eat a nutritious breakfast. This is when your digestive energy is at its peak.

9am–1pm — Be productive and work hard. This is your peak performance window — use it.

YIN

1pm–3pm — Sit down away from work for a nutritious lunch. The yin part of the day is beginning.

3pm–5pm — Do your less stressful tasks. After this, your energy naturally starts to wind down.

5pm–7pm — Switch off from work. No more work emails or texts. This is the best time for some fun physical activity to switch you out of work mode..

7pm–9pm — Eat a nutritious evening meal. Read, play music, watch something, do something creative, or connect with your partner, family or friends.

By 10pm — Be asleep. A natural rejuvenating, antiaging detox occurs from this point but only if you’re asleep.

It sounds simple. And it is. But that simplicity is deceptive, because what’s happening internally is that your chi or energy is able to flow smoothly. Everything is working as it should, you are saving energy, increasing emotional stability and enjoying life more.

What happens when you live out of synch

Most of us are living way off track though. We wake tired, stumble out of bed to a coffee, skip breakfast or grab something processed that’s easy to eat. Then you don’t have the energy to be productive during the peak window, and it flies past.

By mid-afternoon, 3:30-itis hits. You feel like you’re missing something. You reach for coffee, sugar, or a snack. The day drags toward a close but you need to push to keep working to make up for the slow morning.

Each day you spend like this means chi can’t flow as smoothly as it should and it increases a sense of disconnection and a more negative outlook on life. After years of this you can end up thinking that life sucks — but this just means it’s time to align.

What happens when you follow the Chi Cycle

I’ve been working with the Chi Cycle lifestyle with clients for many years now, and have heard plenty of excuses. People tell me they’re “not morning people” (not true, we all are just need to readjust), or they can’t make changes due to social expectations (be a rebel!), or any number of other objections.

But as soon as they adjust and align, the results speak for themselves:

• Energy levels improve significantly
• They handle stress better without becoming mentally and emotionally drained
• Skin and eyes become clearer
• 3:30-itis disappears and sugar cravings diminish
• Weight naturally adjusts without dieting
• They report a much more positive outlook

All from aligning with the Chi Cycle.

The Chi Cycle is more than a lifestyle, it’s a launchpad to purpose

And there’s more, more levels open up the longer you do it. Some time after I started living the Chi Cycle, I noticed an increased perception of things beyond the physical. As if I was getting clear messages guiding me toward my purpose. The feeling got stronger over time.

Initially I thought it was just an added benefit of the lifestyle. But then, through studying the ancient Taoist texts, I discovered that finding your purpose — your “contract with Heaven” — is actually the fundamental reason the Chi Cycle exists. It’s not just a wellness system. It’s a bridge from the physical to the non-physical world.

The Taoists understood that the universe is like a massive chi-matrix — a web of interconnectivity — and that aligning with the Chi Cycle is the means by which we link in and open up the communication pathways. Once we do, our destiny becomes clear and the impossible becomes possible.

So the Chi Cycle lifestyle takes care of everything: from the practical (“what should I do, and when?”) to the profound (“what am I here for?”).

Why the Chi Cycle matters more than ever now

We’re going through a time of unprecedented change now. AI, technology, and the pace of life are pulling us further from our bodies and the grounding of nature and the earth. At the same time, many people are feeling a pull in the opposite direction — towards something more grounded, more real, more connected to who they actually are.

The Chi Cycle lifestyle is the answer to both. It grounds you in the universal intelligence (the Tao) while opening the door to positivity and purpose. It’s not another thing to add to your overwhelmed schedule — it IS the schedule, reorganised around how your body and energy fields actually work.

I’ve been living and teaching this for over 35 years. I’ve written six internationally published books about it. And I’m now offering Chi Cycle Certification for practitioners, coaches, and individuals who want to bring this system into their own work and life.

The Chi Cycle is the foundation. Everything else builds from here.

— Jost Sauer

Work with Jost: the Chi Cycle in practice

Reading about the Chi Cycle is one thing. Having Jost personally guide you through it is another. It’s not a strict list of to-do’s, Jost adapts it to work with your lifestyle.

In one-on-one sessions, Jost integrates the Chi Cycle into a complete 360-degree lifestyle coaching experience. He assesses where your daily rhythm is out of alignment, identifies the specific blocks in your energy flow, and tailors the Chi Cycle to your life — your work schedule, your body, your goals. But he goes far beyond timing advice. Drawing on decades of Tai chi, chi gong, and martial arts, plus weights and bodyweight exercise, Jost teaches you the specific conscious exercise practices, breathwork, and dietary adjustments that activate the Chi Cycle at a deeper level. At 67, with a daily 5-hour practice, he’s living proof the system works.

Whether you’re a professional wanting more sustained energy, clarity and productivity, or you’re navigating a deep spiritual shift and want someone who understands the territory, Jost meets you where you are and builds from the Chi Cycle foundation.

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Chi Cycle FAQs

Q: What is the Chi Cycle? A: The Chi Cycle is a 24-hour day plan developed by Jost Sauer that organises everything around the natural flow of energy (chi) through your body. It is divided into 12 two-hour windows, each is linked to an organ and a specific actions. It’s the ultimate ‘best time for’ system as it is based on cosmic intelligence not some made-up rules. Aligning with it improves energy, mood, sleep, and overall wellbeing.

Q: Who created the Chi Cycle? A: Jost Sauer developed the Chi Cycle lifestyle over 35+ years of personal practice, research, and hands-on work with thousands of clients. It draws on the ancient Taoist organ clock and the concept of chi — the natural energy that flows through your body, and everything in the universe, in a daily rhythm. It relates to the body clock, but is much more holistic and deep as it connects to spirituality as well.

Q: How is the Chi Cycle different from circadian rhythm advice? A: Circadian rhythm science focuses mainly on sleep and light exposure. The Chi Cycle goes much further — it maps energy flow across 24 hours and connects the timing of eating, exercise, work, rest, and even relationship talks to specific energy windows. It also addresses the emotional and spiritual dimensions of a daily rhythm, not just the biological.

Q: Do I need any knowledge of Taoism or energy work to follow the Chi Cycle? A: No. The Chi Cycle is fun, practical and accessible. You don’t need to understand the philosophy behind it to benefit from it — just go with the flow of chi as outlined in the books, and you’ll feel the difference.

Q: What results do people get from following the Chi Cycle? A: Common results include more energy, better sleep quality, reduced cravings, weight loss, clearer skin, improved focus, less stress, and an overall sense of feeling lighter and more positive. Many people report noticing changes even within the first few days.

Q: Which book should I read to learn the Chi Cycle? A: The Perfect Day Plan is the lightest and most accessible introduction. Clock On to Health covers nearly 200 symptoms and how to correct them through lifestyle timing. Chi Health Cycle is the fully illustrated international edition — the best visual and hands-on guide.

Q: Can practitioners and coaches get certified in the Chi Cycle? A: Yes. Jost offers one-on-one Chi Cycle Certification for practitioners, coaches, and educators who want to use the system professionally. The training is delivered personally by Jost through 8 sessions as, remembering that chi is intelligence, energy and consciousness, direct transmission from Jost is part of the training package . Visit the certification page for details or contact us.