The effects of fasting on specific Ayurvedic body types

Fasting has become a fashionable habit in today's western society, but we should be aware that fasting is not really a diet or an exercise plan. While the purpose of fasting may be primarily for the physical body, its effects go far beyond that: it affects our mind and spirit as well, and is therefore fasting is a spiritual journey.

Why do we fast?

We have some health problems. Fasting is recommended if you have a fever, cold, constipation or joint pain, or if you have toxins or ''ama'' in your colon, which can be indicated by e.g. skin problems and rheumatic problems. During fasting, the 'fire of digestion' is ignited and (as there is no food to digest) it slowly 'burns' the toxins that have accumulated in the intestines over a long period of time.
To maintain health: It is advisable for a healthy person to fast on warm water (1-2 litres/day) at least once a week. This practice allows the digestive system to rest.
As part of a spiritual practice. Fasting is a kind of spiritual journey, a journey of silence, where the focus shifts from our self to our soul. By withdrawing from food, by refraining from something, the body-mind-spirit undergoes a process of purification. When the inner silence is established, we are free from anger, envy, fear, anxiety, all the emotions that disturb the inner silence, we can hear "the word of God".

How long should we fast?

According to Ayurveda, we should consider our individual constitution before starting a fast. In the West, people sometimes fast for ten, fifteen, twenty or even more days without checking their constitution. However, ignoring this need to consider your constitution and fasting for a long time can have harmful effects on your body! Fasting should not be continued if you feel unwell!

A person with a vata constitution should not fast for more than three days. Abstinence from food increases the lightness in the body, and vata (the bodily air) is also light. Therefore, if the fast is too long, the vata element increases and this causes fear, nervousness, anxiety and weakness in vata-type persons.

The same time limit applies to fasting for Pitta types. Fasting beyond four days irritates the pitta and increases the fire element in the body. This increased pitta causes psychophysical reactions of anger, hatred and dizziness.

At the same time, people with a kapha constitution can fast for longer periods of time. This makes them feel pleasantly lighter, more aware and their minds open. Their understanding and clarity of vision improve.

Advice on fasting at home

When fasting at home, it is advisable to start with half a day or a maximum of one day, and then carefully, perhaps in consultation with an expert, increase or decrease the length of the fast according to your subtype, observing and respecting your limits!

If the goal is not to maintain health, but to eliminate a health problem through fasting, we should consult a competent specialist, doctor or naturopath, who will prepare, plan and monitor the process as part of a complex treatment!

In the case of spiritual goals, fasts of varying lengths can be undertaken as part of a yoga practice, but these should also be done under the supervision of a qualified professional. In general, after many years of yoga practice, spiritual fasting sessions can be done in camps or retreats, following the principle of gradualness.

How to fast?

If done correctly, fasting helps to focus attention, balance the mind, improve digestion and has a positive effect on skin and rheumatic problems and certain illnesses.

Don't fast if you're under pressure to perform! This is the wrong attitude and your fast can be ineffective or lead to malaise.

Before starting a fast, it is important to tune in, to be aware, to know what to do, why and how to do it. When fasting, it is important to cleanse the digestive system, take exercise (walking, hiking) and drink plenty of fluids.

It is important to take care of your health while fasting. We should pay attention to our physical strength and stamina, and if there is a noticeable decline, we should stop fasting!

The digestive system rests when fasting. It is important not to burden Agni, the digestive fire.

The role of herbs in fasting

Ayurveda teaches that certain herbs, such as ginger, black pepper, cayenne and curry, have medicinal value during fasting because of their fiery, powerful properties that can be used to neutralise toxins in the body. When consumed in tea form, these herbs help to 'ignite' the agni, which 'burns' the toxic substances. If you want to use herbs, be sure to consult an expert!

If you're doing a juice fast, it's important to remember that grape juice is good for vata, pomegranate juice is good for pitta and apple juice is good for kapha. You should drink about 2 litres of juice diluted with water each day of the fast.

Spiritual support for fasting

When we deprive our body of food, it is very important to nourish our soul and spirit with prayer, reading holy books (Bible, Bagavad Gita), meditating, and letting go of worries/thoughts.

Proper exercise during fasting is a must! Choose light forms of exercise: walking, hiking, yoga.

Adequate fluid intake during fasting is very important!

Breaking the fast is perhaps the most important part of the process: returning gradually, very gently, step by step, by starting the digestive system (with the right foods, small quantities, chewing thoroughly, and no meat, at least for as long as the fast lasts). The return from fasting is well defined and described in ayurvedic science. We suggest that you consult a specialist about how to properly finish a fast before starting it.

If you're interested in the effects of fasting on our immune system, click here to read our article on the subject!

Ágnes Csizmadia (Doctor of Ayurvedic Sciences),

Expert of the Hungarian Ayurvedic Medical Foundation, Garuda Trade Ltd. and Aryan Natural Medicine Training and Health Education Centre

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