Fasting: how to do, why to do…
Fasting means to abstain from eating or eating and drinking for a period of time. It is an excellent practice that is part of physical yoga. Many cultures have or had some sort of fasting practice, so too with yogic culture since ancient times.
Why fast?
Fasting rests the digestion system. This saves the body’s energy allowing that energy to be utilised in other areas, such as removing toxins from different parts of the body – like the liver – thereby improving bodily functions. When practiced regularly (2-4 times a month), the effect is highly beneficial to all round health. Fasting also strengthens the mind – here the mind has to control the body’s hunger and thirst. Fasting strengthens our inner discipline which is a great asset in life.
When to fast?
In yogic science, fasting is prescribed on specific days of the month based on the position of the moon. The moon affects the rising and falling of the tides. Human biological cells – containing 70% or more of water – are also affected by the gravitational pull of the moon which can create imbalances in the body. This affect is strongest on and just before the new moon and the full moon.
To offset this imbalance, yoga advises to do a full fast without water eleven days after the new moon (amavasya) and eleven days after the full moon (purnima). The name for this eleventh day in Sanskrit is Ekádashi.
Find the ekádashii fasting days at the bottom of this article. While it is best to fast on the actual day, it is possible to fast either the day before or the day after the actual day.
Fasting is not advised for children, however, it is beneficial for adolescents. Fasting is not done during pregnancy and illness. The duration of fasting is from sunrise until the following sunrise, however, typically it starts after the evening meal the day before the fasting day until sunrise the day after the fasting day (making it about 30 hours).
Breaking fast
The most beneficial technique to break fast is to drink 1 – 1.5 litres of “lemon water”: 1. add 1.5 litres of warm (or cold) water to a jug or container. 2. Add the juice of half a lemon 3. dissolve about 2 teaspoons of salt in hot water, add to the jug. 4. Mix thoroughly. 5. Drink
Ideally, the lemon water and salt will induce a “flush” (thorough cleaning) of the intestines – an effect like diarrhea – so make sure you have access to a toilet. The more salt used the more the flush effect will happen – meaning you may flush more than once. Remember, the flush is positive as the lemon water is cleaning out the intestines, however, it does take a little getting used to. A ripe banana may be eaten after finishing the lemon water.
At least half an hour later – ideally after flushing – breakfast can be taken. Fruit is ideal as it is easily digestible and is full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fibre and gives an immediate energy boost. Allowing at least 40 minutes for the fruit to digest, you can take normal breakfast items. Remember, the digestive system has been inactive for around 30 hours, so eating lightly is a good idea.
Fasting Chart – Year 2023
Time Zone = GMT+0
| date | event | start | end |
| Jan 01 (Sun) | Ekadashi | 01/01 02:41 | 01/02 03:53 |
| Jan 05 (Thu) | Purnima | 01/05 09:44 | 01/06 12:07 |
| Jan 17 (Tue) | Ekadashi | 01/17 01:35 | 01/17 23:33 |
| Jan 20 (Fri) | Amavasya | 01/20 13:47 | 01/21 09:53 |
| Jan 31 (Tue) | Ekadashi | 01/30 19:24 | 01/31 21:33 |
| Feb 04 (Sat) | Purnima | 02/04 05:00 | 02/05 07:28 |
| Feb 15 (Wed) | Ekadashi | 02/15 13:03 | 02/16 10:19 |
| Feb 19 (Sun) | Amavasya | 02/18 23:48 | 02/19 20:05 |
| Mar 02 (Thu) | Ekadashi | 03/01 14:09 | 03/02 16:41 |
| Mar 05 (Sun) | Purnima | 03/05 23:47 | 03/07 01:47 |
| Mar 17 (Fri) | Ekadashi | 03/16 21:37 | 03/17 18:44 |
| Mar 20 (Mon) | Amavasya | 03/20 09:17 | 03/21 06:23 |
| Mar 31 (Fri) | Ekadashi | 03/31 09:28 | 04/01 11:50 |
| Apr 05 (Wed) | Purnima | 04/04 16:49 | 04/05 17:34 |
| Apr 15 (Sat) | Ekadashi | 04/15 04:15 | 04/16 01:44 |
| Apr 19 (Wed) | Amavasya | 04/18 18:54 | 04/19 17:12 |
| Apr 30 (Sun) | Ekadashi | 04/30 03:59 | 05/04 05:40 |
| May 04 (Thu) | Purnima | 05/04 07:14 | 05/05 06:33 |
| May 14 (Sun) | Ekadashi | 05/14 10:16 | 05/15 08:33 |
| May 18 (Thu) | Amavasya | 05/18 05:13 | 05/19 04:53 |
| May 30 (Tue) | Ekadashi | 05/29 20:38 | 05/30 21:16 |
| Jun 03 (Sat) | Purnima | 06/02 18:47 | 06/03 16:41 |
| Jun 13 (Tue) | Ekadashi | 06/12 16:59 | 06/13 16:18 |
| Jun 16 (Fri) | Amavasya | 06/16 16:41 | 06/16 17:37 |
| Jun 28 (Wed) | Ekadashi | 06/28 10:49 | 06/29 10:12 |
| Jul 02 (Sun) | Purnima | 07/02 03:51 | 07/03 00:38 |
| Jul 12 (Wed) | Ekadashi | 07/12 01:29 | 07/13 01:55 |
| Jul 16 (Sun) | Amavasya | 07/16 05:38 | 07/17 07:31 |
| Jul 28 (Fri) | Ekadashi | 07/27 22:21 | 07/28 20:35 |
| Jul 31 (Mon) | Purnima | 07/31 11:22 | 08/01 07:31 |
| Aug 10 (Thu) | Ekadashi | 08/10 12:36 | 08/11 14:01 |
| Aug 15 (Tue) | Amavasya | 08/14 20:13 | 08/15 22:38 |
| Aug 26 (Sat) | Ekadashi | 08/26 07:38 | 08/27 05:02 |
| Aug 30 (Wed) | Purnima | 08/29 18:28 | 08/30 14:35 |
| Sep 09 (Sat) | Ekadashi | 09/09 02:48 | 09/10 04:58 |
| Sep 13 (Wed) | Amavasya | 09/13 12:19 | 09/14 14:39 |
| Sep 25 (Mon) | Ekadashi | 09/24 15:26 | 09/25 12:31 |
| Sep 28 (Thu) | Purnima | 09/28 02:19 | 09/28 22:57 |
| Oct 09 (Mon) | Ekadashi | 10/08 20:07 | 10/09 22:39 |
| Oct 13 (Fri) | Amavasya | 10/13 05:21 | 10/14 06:55 |
| Oct 24 (Tue) | Ekadashi | 10/23 22:44 | 10/24 19:51 |
| Oct 27 (Fri) | Purnima | 10/27 11:47 | 10/28 09:23 |
| Nov 08 (Wed) | Ekadashi | 11/07 15:53 | 11/08 18:12 |
| Nov 12 (Sun) | Amavasya | 11/11 22:15 | 11/12 22:27 |
| Nov 22 (Wed) | Ekadashi | 11/22 06:34 | 11/23 04:32 |
| Nov 26 (Sun) | Purnima | 11/25 23:23 | 11/26 22:16 |
| Dec 07 (Thu) | Ekadashi | 12/07 12:36 | 12/08 14:01 |
| Dec 11 (Mon) | Amavasya | 12/11 13:54 | 12/12 12:31 |
| Dec 22 (Fri) | Ekadashi | 12/21 15:46 | 12/22 14:42 |
| Dec 25 (Mon) | Purnima | 12/25 13:17 | 12/26 13:33 |
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