8 Reasons Why Fasting Is Essential For Holistic Health And Balance

 

Fasting

 

Fasting for holistic health means that the process makes you balanced on all levels — Physical, Mental as well as Spiritual well-being. But how can you be sure? If you have ever kept a fast, then you would have observed that you find some natural, positive implications in your basic persona. Your body undergoes a comprehensive cleansing and self-healing.

 

8 Reasons Why Fasting is Essential for Holistic Health and Balance

 

1. Fasting Is Significant During Seasonal Transition

In India, many of us take to fasting during auspicious days. Fasting during the period just gone by would, by and large, be attached to religious values. Yet, it is also true that during these days of seasonal transition as during the seasons of both spring and autumn, you could effortlessly take to holistic healing through fasting! Sounds good?

 

2. Fasting Imparts Spiritual Growth

Fasting

Have you tried to Meditate when you are fasting? Try this out even for a few minutes and you will be amazed at the spirituality as well as liberation you feel. This is because wile in the process, you find that your mind actually obeys you and can be controlled better, and you no longer submit to any superfluous inducements.

Fasting

 4. Fasting For Mental Tranquility

Fasting or Upavasa literally means ‘living near the divine’. During the process of fasting, our minds are as pure as our bodies. This is because fasting brings a well-deserved break both for the body as well as the mind. You now have the full potential to train your mind along with your senses and hampered emotions. And in the process, this becomes a therapy which helps you to detach and heal your past.

Fasting

5. Fasting For Natural Wellness And Balance

Our ancient Indian therapeutic sciences of Ayurveda and Naturopathy have emphasized the virtues of ‘holistic’ fasting. Going by the exact meaning of the word, ‘holistic’ would mean absolute. In other words, fasting is essentially an asset that can put your entity in equilibrium with your physical well being, mental balance and spiritual growth.

Fasting

6. Ayurveda Recommends Fasting

In accordance with the Ayurvedic science of healing, you need to take to fasting so as to keep your Jathar Agni, or the gastric fire, invigorated. This is mainly because when Agni is not functioning properly, whatever you eat will not be digested and your metabolism will be impaired.

This defective Agni produces Ama or the undigested food, which causes fermentation in the stomach and consequently results in the formation of diseases.

7. Naturopathy Counsels Fasting 

Fasting

Naturopathy deems fasting to be equivalent to consuming a life-saving nectar. The basic belief is that fasting helps you gain the ether element or Akasha tatva, which is a highly subtle and significant element among all the five basic natural elements, the other four being water, fire, water and earth.

8. Fasting and Dosha Healing 

Fasting

In case you are a Vata type of individual, you need to remember that as Vata dosha or the Air body humor is naturally rough, erratic and light. Therefore, going in for long and strict fasts in not recommended for you. Vata falls out of balance on taking very meager meals, fasting more often or even holding on to hunger. Thus, you need to plan your fasting regimen all the more smartly. You can be indulging in small portions of fruit and nuts often.

Pitta type if you are, you already have lot of fire within yourself. Fasting is not actually meant for you. Take to small and easy going fasts. Fasting for you needs to be supplemented with lots of fruit juices and sweetened drinks. Snacking is also advisable for you. This is because keeping away from food altogether tends to invigorate your Agni or the gastric fire, resulting into low sugar levels, or health maladies like acidity.

Dieting often as well for longer periods may only be advised for Kapha types. Taking less diet as well as indulging in periodical fasting is actually beneficial for you in case you have more of Phlegm in your system.

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About the Author:

Dr Sonica Krishan is Author and Speaker in the areas of Healthy and Joyous Living through Ayurveda, Meditation, Yoga and other Contemplative practices. She is a leading Ayurveda Professional in India. She is also Health Writer, Columnist, Editor, Ayurveda Consultant and Holistic Healing Coach. Dr Sonica is open for National as well as International Collaborations with interested people / institutions in fields of Ayurveda, Meditation and Yoga.

www.drsonicakrishan.com

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