Should We Fast?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I fast on a regular basis and was taught in my Yoga training to do so. It’s a practice that was hailed by Swami Sivananda and other later gurus. But when I read the classic Yoga texts, I don’t see any of them promoting that advice. In fact, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Gheranda Samhita, and the Siva Samhita all say clearly NOT to fast! Patanjali also never says to fast, although Vyasa suggested it was to be included in the observance of sauca.

Where does the Yoga advice to fast come from? Is it only from Vyasa’s commentary?

Is anyone else out there fasting regularly? If so, for how long at a stretch?

#2

[QUOTE=theYogadr.;61556]I fast on a regular basis and was taught in my Yoga training to do so. It’s a practice that was hailed by Swami Sivananda and other later gurus. But when I read the classic Yoga texts, I don’t see any of them promoting that advice. In fact, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Gheranda Samhita, and the Siva Samhita all say clearly NOT to fast! Patanjali also never says to fast, although Vyasa suggested it was to be included in the observance of sauca.

Where does the Yoga advice to fast come from? Is it only from Vyasa’s commentary?

Is anyone else out there fasting regularly? If so, for how long at a stretch?[/QUOTE]

Dear Friend:

I think Yoga advises the aspirant to always practise [I][B]“mitahar”[/B][/I] (from [I][B]mita[/B][/I] = very little + [I][B]ahar[/B][/I] = food eating). One fourth of the stomach should always be empty [B]AND[/B] the food eaten should be vegetarian [B]AND[/B] of [B][I]sattwic guna[/I][/B].

In any case, Yoga automatically transforms the aspirant into a moderate to frugal eater.

Fasting translates into [I][B]“Upavas”[/B][/I] in Indian language. It means “being very near” (to the LORD of course, i.e. atman, Brahman, Absolute etc.). Fasting facilitates this goal as even the autonomous system is “unfixed” from food fixation and the mind consequently is then ready to turn inward and join the higher aspect viz. [I][B]prana.[/B][/I]

The most recommended fasting day is [I][B]“Ekadashi”[/B][/I], the eleventh day after no moon day. It is said even a Yogi must observe this fast.

Try it.

regards, anand

#3

[QUOTE=Anand Kulkarni;61559]
I think Yoga advises the aspirant to always practise [I][B]“mitahar”[/B][/I] (from [I][B]mita[/B][/I] = very little + [I][B]ahar[/B][/I] = food eating). One fourth of the stomach should always be empty [B]AND[/B] the food eaten should be vegetarian [B]AND[/B] of [B][I]sattwic guna[/I][/B].[/QUOTE]

Thanks, Anand, but this is exactly my point. I hear this all the time, “Yoga says this and Yoga says that.”

But where does “Yoga” say that? Where is it written? or who is the authority?

All the time people are confusing Ayurveda and Hinduism with Yoga. Ayurveda is the sister system of Yoga, but they are not synonymous. All Ayurvedic advice is not Yoga advice, although some of it is is borrowed. Yoga grew out of a Hindu culture and has Hindu references, but Yoga isn’t Hinduism.

How do we see these separate facets of the wonderful ancient culture of India clearly, without confusing one with the other?

Do you know of specific Yoga texts that speak of fasting? Anybody out there?

#4

[QUOTE=theYogadr.;61623]Thanks, Anand, but this is exactly my point. I hear this all the time, “Yoga says this and Yoga says that.”

But where does “Yoga” say that? Where is it written? or who is the authority?

All the time people are confusing Ayurveda and Hinduism with Yoga. Ayurveda is the sister system of Yoga, but they are not synonymous. All Ayurvedic advice is not Yoga advice, although some of it is is borrowed. Yoga grew out of a Hindu culture and has Hindu references, but Yoga isn’t Hinduism.

How do we see these separate facets of the wonderful ancient culture of India clearly, without confusing one with the other?

Do you know of specific Yoga texts that speak of fasting? Anybody out there?[/QUOTE]

Dear Friend:

Moderation in diet is one of the ten [I][B]“yamas”[/B][/I] or restraints to be observed by a yoga aspirant.

Pl refer aphorism no.17 and 60 in [I][B]Hatha Yoga Pradeepika[/B][/I], also aphorism no.16 of [I][B]Gheranda Samhita[/B][/I] and aphorism no 33 in [I][B]Shiva Samhita[/B][/I] all classical Hatha Yoga texts.

Fasting is NOT recommended in Yoga texts. However, [I][B]“ekadashi”[/B][/I] is a day on which body juices (enzymes?) are found to be naturally high. Hence the fast.

regards, anand

p.s. Yoga is a part of [I][B]tantra.[/B][/I] Please ascertain where [I][B]tantra[/B][/I] belongs. Yoga’s links with Ayurveda, Hinduism, etc. are then automatically seen in their proper perspective.

#5

[QUOTE=theYogadr.;61556]I fast on a regular basis and was taught in my Yoga training to do so. It’s a practice that was hailed by Swami Sivananda and other later gurus. But when I read the classic Yoga texts, I don’t see any of them promoting that advice. In fact, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Gheranda Samhita, and the Siva Samhita all say clearly NOT to fast! Patanjali also never says to fast, although Vyasa suggested it was to be included in the observance of sauca.

Where does the Yoga advice to fast come from? Is it only from Vyasa’s commentary?

Is anyone else out there fasting regularly? If so, for how long at a stretch?[/QUOTE]This advice not to fast is against severe forms of austerity which was done in India by certain ascetics. Shorter fasts are no problem. Tantra teaches that godess Kali becomes angry when hunger is not fulfilled. But then we have to distinguish between real physical hunger and cravings. Short fasts can help us become more aware of our bodies signals and emotions, while longer fasts are only torturous and not recommended in many sampradayas.

#6

My body weight slumped to 58 Kg due to the weekly fasts (sundays) I did some years ago. I’m 178 cm tall so you can imagine fasts are not for me.

My butt was sore after half hour of meditation or pranayam as there was few flesh to sustain my trunk weight. So no more fasts, thanks.

#7

[QUOTE=panoramix;61628]My body weight slumped to 58 Kg due to the weekly fasts (sundays) I did some years ago. I’m 178 cm tall so you can imagine fasts are not for me.

My butt was sore after half hour of meditation or pranayam as there was few flesh to sustain my trunk weight. So no more fasts, thanks. [/QUOTE]

This is simply due to caloric deficit and if your goal wasn’t to lose weight, you didn’t eat enough food on a weekly basis. If you want to fast you should compansate your caloric intake on your other days to maintain your weight. But it’s true that fasts are not for everybody. Bheema* says the same to Bhishma* that his internal fire is too strong and that fasting will dwindle his body. Bhishma recommends Bheema to fast only one day a year, on nirjala ekadashi. A very pragmatic approach.

*these are characters from the Mahabharata

#8

[QUOTE=theYogadr.;61556]Where does the Yoga advice to fast come from? [/QUOTE]

Ayurveda.

No fasting is required for a person whose constitution of vata-pitta-kapha is well balanced.

Once in a week a mild fasting may be undertaken which would make us realise the importance of food, as well as the imperativeness of light body, which is essential for spiritual sadhana.

#9

Hi Kathleen.

A reply from the mental force certainly has validity. And of course mental force has its role in the growth or “mindful evolution” of the human being. However an only mental framework is a framework of imbalance.

Ergo for me the question could not possible begin with “should”. The process of yoga, for me, is to use the tools in order to cultivate discernment. For me that has required some guidance. Some of that guidance is intrinsic and some of it is extrinsic. Extrinsically the Yoga we teach and practice brings many things together, including the classical texts mentioned. Though I don’t perceive any of them as law or musts AND each has a different perspective or paradigm which can make for muddy waters. The most obvious of these is the classic difference between body and mind outlined by the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Yoga Sutras respectively.

If a person feels deeply called by a fast AND is deeply moved forward by it, then that is appropriate for them and no citing in the Bible, the Torah, or the Gita is necessary to validate the choice.

If we, as aspiring beings, do not cultivate our own ability to discern then we are most likely to remain in the global predicament we are now in and continue to be serfs to someone else’s lordship.

In some instances our mandate is merely to be a petri dish of one. Therefore I personally fast on occasion but that choice comes from within.

#10

[QUOTE=theYogadr.;61556]

Where does the Yoga advice to fast come from? Is it only from Vyasa’s commentary?

Is anyone else out there fasting regularly? If so, for how long at a stretch?[/QUOTE]

  1. [B]It comes from common sense. Just think about it. Human body is believed to be millions year old. Only few hundred years food sources in most places are abundant and constant. Our body can survive a month with no food[/B]. (my old driver was a victim in Nazi camp in 1942 and lot of people just like him did not eat for a month there. he is 85 yo now.) [B] Ancient humans were starving most of the time, thought but starving is different from fasting it is still same biological process that have been with humans for million years. And for the last 50 years or so, we load our system with tons of food and “food” and our bodies most of the time do not take it well. [/B]

  2. I raised in Christian orthodox tradition, and there are few 40 days fasts during the year before each holiday. NO any kind of animal products for 40 days and no food at all on Fridays. Feels very nice. It helps to disciplinize the spirit and clean the body.

Later, I fasted by Dr. Breg system and other systems. I went with no food for 48 hours one time and it was easy. So I continued with 24 and 48 hr fastings. I know that it is difficult for some people to go with no food for few hours… but I think this is just a matter of discipline and mental focus.

I’ve never seen yoga advised fasting, but sattvic diet and moderation from yamas and niyamas kinda help here.

All the swamis are so fat that I do not think they ever did fasting:)

#11

[QUOTE=panoramix;61628]My body weight slumped to 58 Kg due to the weekly fasts (sundays) I did some years ago. I’m 178 cm tall so you can imagine fasts are not for me.

My butt was sore after half hour of meditation or pranayam as there was few flesh to sustain my trunk weight. So no more fasts, thanks. [/QUOTE]

Hey, I’m 186 cm and 58 kg, I even have some fat on my hips and belly:)

#12

The longest monitored fast on record was by a 27 year old man who initially weighed 455 pounds. He lost 273 pounds in 382 days. The average non-obese person can live for 60 days on a water only fast.

Fasting long-term like that isn’t healthy for multiple reasons. Short-term fasting for 24 hours at a stretch is, and I practice it regularly for health as well as spiritual reasons. Yes, it’s a process of discernment and I like to consider things from all facets, including historical background and scriptural references.

As a teacher, I like to back up what I do and what I say not only with solid science research whenever it’s available but also by clear references in the yogic literature when I can.

Thanks for all your replies. It sounds like the best I can do is Vyasa’s commentary of sauca in the Sutras and then Ayurveda. A diet of moderation is a different thing. That’s clearly stated in all three texts of the Hatha trilogy - not too far from where they say not to fast. I agree with Sarvamaṅgalamaṅgalā that the latter advice was directed to ascetics who pushed for days and days to the point of collapse, not 24 hour fasting, or even 48. Any longer than that isn’t healthy, and I think the gurus knew it.

#13

[QUOTE=theYogadr.;61661]The longest monitored fast on record was by a 27 year old man who initially weighed 455 pounds. He lost 273 pounds in 382 days. The average non-obese person can live for 60 days on a water only fast.

Fasting long-term like that isn’t healthy for multiple reasons. Short-term fasting for 24 hours at a stretch is, and I practice it regularly for health as well as spiritual reasons. Yes, it’s a process of discernment and I like to consider things from all facets, including historical background and scriptural references.

As a teacher, I like to back up what I do and what I say not only with solid science research whenever it’s available but also by clear references in the yogic literature when I can.

Thanks for all your replies. It sounds like the best I can do is Vyasa’s commentary of sauca in the Sutras and then Ayurveda. A diet of moderation is a different thing. That’s clearly stated in all three texts of the Hatha trilogy - not too far from where they say not to fast. I agree with Sarvamaṅgalamaṅgalā that the latter advice was directed to ascetics who pushed for days and days to the point of collapse, not 24 hour fasting, or even 48. Any longer than that isn’t healthy, and I think the gurus knew it.[/QUOTE]

Dear Friend:

Various types of fast regimens are prescribed in the scriptures as [I]“prayaschitta”[/I] or penance for past karma whose consequences show up as current unpleasant happenings.

You may want to look into those aspects.

regards, anand

#14

[QUOTE=CityMonk;61641]Hey, I’m 186 cm and 58 kg, I even have some fat on my hips and belly:)[/QUOTE]

You look well nurtured in your photos…
I think you weigh more but levitate a bit…:cool:

#15

Yogadr,

"I fast on a regular basis and was taught in my Yoga training to do so. It’s a practice that was hailed by Swami Sivananda and other later gurus. But when I read the classic Yoga texts, I don’t see any of them promoting that advice. In fact, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the Gheranda Samhita, and the Siva Samhita all say clearly NOT to fast! Patanjali also never says to fast, although Vyasa suggested it was to be included in the observance of sauca.

Where does the Yoga advice to fast come from? Is it only from Vyasa’s commentary?

Is anyone else out there fasting regularly? If so, for how long at a stretch?"

If you are going to be dependent upon the words of other masters and sages, then you are bound to be confused. Because you will always find while one master has said one thing, another has said precisely the opposite. And that has been the case with almost everything. Because the reality is that there are a thousand and one different strategies for the expansion of consciousness, no method is absolute.

Fasting may be useful as a way to help detoxify and purify one’s system - but it should be made clear to you that there are people who have been fasting, to the extreme - like certain Jain yogis, but who have remained as unconscious as ever. Where there is no inner wisdom - all of these mechanical processes are just superficial. If you think by just by fasting you are going to enter into meditation and it will assist your coming to samadhi, then one is simply chasing a figment of one’s imagination - although one may certainly enter far more easily into meditation while fasting. But it has nothing to do with the fasting - it is just that fasting can be used to help create a certain state of mind. It is not garunteed, but it can be helpful.

The reason why fasting has never been emphasized is simply because it is not a necessity. At the most, even when you are eating, it is usually helpful not to fill the stomach more than halfway, even less is preferable. Because when your stomach is too full, it requires much energy to digest it, and the activity of the digestive system tends to stimulate the activity of the mind.

“Is anyone else out there fasting regularly? If so, for how long at a stretch?”

I fast from time to time, but only very rarely. When it has been done, it has been for up till two or three days. I have used it in the past to help awaken Kundalini, as well as assist entry into meditation, though I have not been fasting for a long time.

#16

“Tantra teaches that godess Kali becomes angry when hunger is not fulfilled”

Santa Claus is coming to town in seven months.