03/26/2023
Fasting for Health Step 1
🌱 Planning and Research
🌱 Reading classical texts like Gheranda Samhita or Hatha Pradipika to grasp a deeper understanding of physical cleansing and the care needed to prepare for entering as well as exiting cleansing practices.
🌱 Take a Dosha Type quiz online. Find out what your balance of Vata Pitta and Kapha are in order to tailor the fast to your specific constitution. Vata-dominant people may not be suited to a 3-day water fast for example; they may choose to do monofasting or 1 meal a day. If you have health conditions or are on medication, speak to your specialist about a 3 day fast or consult with a C-IAYT Yoga Therapist about what type of fasting could be beneficial to you. Some conditions benefit greatly from fasting such as diabetes BUT it is all dependant on the individual and their dosha.
🌱 Look at your calendar over the next two months and find 3 days (or at least 2) which are free from work responsibilities and social obligations. Fasting should be done when you have the time and space to experience and reflect on what comes up for you without stress of needing to “perform” in work life.
🌱 Think about what you will do with all the extra time you have when not preparing, cooking, or eating food! Plan for days to be filled with restful and creative things like enjoying the outdoors, mindful movement to keep detoxification flowing, relaxing, meditation, chanting, breathing, writing, music, reading, napping etc. Planning for a fast also includes time for reducing certain foods before the fast as well as re-introducing foods slowly post-fast.
🌱 This is a delicate process! But so worth it. Make sure you’re able to commit to nourishing the newly cleansed digestive tract in the 2 weeks following fasting.
