Fasting in yoga

The process of prohibiting food for a certain prefixed period is called fasting. Fasting is also done for religious purpose in Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, Islam etc. Apart from religious purpose, fasting in yoga is done for health benefits.

Following are the benefits of fasting in yoga:

  • Weight control
    Fasting once a week has found to have profound effect in body weight. When we fast, we prevent any energy source from entering in our body. Thus, the body is forced to use stored fat resulting in weight loss.
  • Body cleansing
    When we fast, the body does not have to focus on digestion. Thus, the body focuses on undissolved nutrients, dead cell, toxins etc.
  • Mental relief
    When we are not focusing on eating and our body not focusing on digestion. We can think and give focus to other things in life.
  • Could delay ageing
    Some scientific facts and research back the fact that Practice of fasting in yoga delays ageing. It is the reasons yogic gurus and sadhus in the ancient time had maintained their youth state for extended period.
  • Efficient metabolism
    Fasting gives rest to the digestive system, thus recharging it to perform better and more efficient.
  • Better mood
    Fasting can also have a good impact from your mood. To be away from exacting diet plans can have a positive impact in your diet.

Fasting in yoga is a good method to change your body in a positive way however fasting is not for all people. If your body is healthy and escaping a meal for a day is not any how big deal to you then fasting is for you. However, if you are weak and cannot afford to escape diet then fasting can have negative impacts in your body.

Following are the people who should not fast:

  • Dangerous heart, kidney, liver diseases
  • Pregnant woman
  • Very old peoples
  • People with highly unbalanced pressure
  • Noticeably young children

Is it better to do fasting in full moon time?

Yes, Normally it is said that fasting in yoga tradition is better on full moon day since on the full moon day or new days of moon/ Amavasya, it reduces the It is ideal to fast or take light food on full moon and new moon days,  to reduce the acedic content in our body which slows down our metabolic rate due to which it increases the endurance. It Brings our body in a calm state and keeps it relax. practicing fasting in yoga prevent you from gastritis/gastric problem.

Water Fasting and its benefits

Water fasting means, you drink only water throughout the day and no any fruits and other foods. The research on water fasting shows that it has several health benefits like it lower down the certain cancers, diabetes and heart diseases. However, practicing the water fasting for long time without preparation may be harmful. One day is normally fine, but if you want to extend for more days, you need to do the yoga practice and fasting together. But be sure that before doing that take some advice from your yoga instructor or someone who already did long water fasting. 

is intermittent fasting, good?

In intermittent fasting, where we eat during a specific time of day like 16 hours fasting and 8 hours of eating. It is very good fasting practice for healthy life. This type of fasting is very popular nowadays. If you can’t do whole day fasting or water fasting, you can balance your dite through intermittent fasting. Mostly it is done for good health and to reduce the obesity. 

In practice of fasting in yoga science there are several types of fasting like entire day fasting with water, one meal fasting, meal without heavy protein etc. So, before attempting to fast one should carefully think which one, they should be doing. However, if you have decided to take fasting just recently you should not straight take entire day fasting with just water. It might not be beneficial to body as much as hoped. One can start fasting with meal without heavy protein or carbohydrate or one meal fasting.