Fasting in Ayurveda and yoga? Yeah, I jumped into that whole deal a few weeks ago, sitting in my cramped San Francisco apartment, surrounded by half-burnt incense and a pile of dishes I swore I’d wash after my “cleanse.” I’m no enlightened yogi, just a guy trying not to feel like a walking burrito disaster. Fasting to balance my body and mind sounded kinda cool, but also, like, who skips meals on purpose in a city obsessed with sourdough and ramen? My first try was a total trainwreck, and I’m gonna spill all the messy details—turmeric stains and all—on what I figured out.
Why I Even Bothered with Fasting in Ayurveda and Yoga
So, Ayurveda and yoga are all about getting your body and mind in sync, right? Like, balancing your energies—vata, pitta, kapha, whatever. Fasting in Ayurveda and yoga is supposed to be like hitting the reset button on your system, clearing out the junk. I read this piece on MindBodyGreen that said fasting helps your digestive fire (agni, if you’re feeling fancy) take a breather. Yoga’s supposed to use fasting to make your meditation or practice deeper, per Yoga Journal. Sounds great, but my stomach’s louder than a BART train at rush hour, so I was like, “This is gonna suck.”
I tried a kitchari mono-diet fast—you know, that rice-and-lentil mush that’s supposed to be easy on your gut. Day one, I’m stirring this pot of yellow sludge in my kitchen, the smell of cumin and coriander making my tiny apartment feel like an Indian restaurant. I’m sitting there, cross-legged on my lumpy couch, trying to be all spiritual while my phone’s blowing up with ads for burrito delivery. Guess what? By day two, I’m scarfing down a slice of pizza. Embarrassing? Totally. But it showed me fasting in Ayurveda and yoga isn’t about being perfect—it’s about figuring out what your body’s trying to say, even when it’s begging for extra cheese.
My Hot Mess of an Ayurvedic Fasting Attempt
Ayurvedic fasting isn’t like that trendy intermittent fasting where you just skip breakfast and act like you’re a health god. It’s more… intentional, tied to your dosha (that’s your body type, if you’re new to this). I’m a pitta, which means I’m basically a hangry fireball. According to Banyan Botanicals, pittas like me should stick to light fasts—think herbal teas or simple stuff like kitchari. Problem is, my fridge is basically a hot sauce museum, so “simple” ain’t my vibe.
One morning, I’m sipping ginger tea, feeling like I’m nailing this whole fasting in Ayurveda thing, when my roommate strolls in with a bag of In-N-Out. The smell of those fries? Pure evil. I’m staring at my tea like it personally insulted me. But here’s what I learned: Ayurvedic fasting is about noticing your cravings, not just giving in. I started with half-day fasts, sipping warm water with spices, and it was like my body sighed in relief. My head felt clearer, my yoga flows less clunky. I even stopped yelling at my neighbor’s dog for barking at 6 a.m. That’s growth, right?
My Tips for Fasting in Ayurveda (From a Guy Who Screwed It Up)
- Start small. Like, half-day small. Don’t try to be a fasting monk right away.
- Drink all the warm stuff—water, ginger tea, or that cumin-coriander-fennel tea (CCF, it’s legit). Keeps your gut from rioting.
- Know your dosha. Pittas like me need chill vibes; vatas need grounding. Chopra has good dosha advice.
- Mess up? No biggie. Ate a taco mid-fast? Just try again tomorrow.
Fasting in Yoga: My Wobbly, Hungry Journey
Fasting in yoga is supposed to make your body light and your mind sharp, like for breathing exercises or meditation. I tried fasting before a yoga class at this studio in the Mission. Big oof. Halfway through downward dog, my stomach growled so loud the instructor legit checked her phone. I wanted to melt into the floor.
But when I got it right—like sipping warm water and doing a gentle flow—it was kinda amazing. My body felt floaty, and my meditation wasn’t just me daydreaming about tacos. Yoga International says fasting can clear mental fog, and I get it now. But it took some epic fails, like the time I fasted too hard and nearly passed out in savasana. Don’t do that.
My Barely-Working Yoga Fasting Routine
- Wake up, chug warm water with lemon. No coffee (I’m still mad about it).
- Do 20 minutes of easy yoga—cat-cow, some twists, nothing wild.
- Meditate for 10 minutes. Or, like, try not to check my phone.
- Break the fast with kitchari or fruit. Slow, no burrito binges.
Wrapping Up My Chaotic Fasting in Ayurveda and Yoga Adventure
Fasting in Ayurveda and yoga isn’t about starving yourself or becoming some zen master. It’s about tuning in, screwing up, and keeping at it. My apartment smells like a spice shop now, my yoga mat’s permanently turmeric-stained, and I’m still a work in progress. But I’m learning to listen to my body, even when it’s yelling for fries. If you’re curious about fasting in Ayurveda and yoga, give it a whirl—just don’t expect to be perfect.
