Fasting also called as Upavasa or Upavasam is a age old practice and is an integral part of many traditions, cultures and even religions. We can observes people doing fasting for different festivals/important days in Hindu culture Be it for Shivaratri, Ekadashi and Muslims does fasting for a period of 1 month for Ramadan every year and Christians during Lent period. Fasting is an important tradition in different cultures and many religions. Even fasting holds a special importance in Ayurveda too.
Upavasa / Fasting
Fasting in sanskrit language called as Upavasa. Fasting in Ayurveda refers to restricting him/herself from chewing, licking, and swallowing food. Fasting also means restricting yourself from drinking water or any other fluids.
But in any religion Upavasa is not just about abstinence from food or water but includes abstinence from all sorts of pleasures and stay close to god (Dhyanam). When you breakdown word ‘Upavasam” the term Upa in Sanskrit means near and while vasa means reside. That means when you’re fasting you’re residing to the suprepower is the true meaning of upavasam and belief & faith are very personal.
Here some questions that needs an answer:
Is fasting really that helpful to a human body?
Does fasting have any side effects?
What are the benefits of fasting?
How long you need to do fasting for max. benefit?
According to ayurveda fasting does have penty of benefits for the mind and body. In ayurveda fasting means not exactly means avoiding eating food its means cleansing the digestive system with total awareness on what and how you eat during fasting and keeping your thoughts in check and focussing on breath too.
Ayurveda says fasting means avoiding unnecessary food items which are harmful to the human body or digestive system and choosing right diet.
Doing fasting the right way will help with proper digestion of food and and will remove any impurities which a human accumulated due to improper diet and provide vital energy.
According Ayurveda and in some religions Fasting is their tradition and is also seasonal routine routine. Fasting is nothing but a purificatory procedure with certain guidelines.
Different seasons characterized by cycles of vata, pitta and kapha. Fasting will defnitely helps your health and vitality if follow based on these guidelines during specific seasons.
Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicine, is known for its holistic approach to health and well-being.
Few more Advantages of Fasting:
Fasting restores vigor of organs which eases the body and mind.
Note:
- Though upavasa has many advantages, Fasting is not recommended for pregnant ladies, children, elderly people, during breastfeeding, menstruation period.
- It is always recommended to consult a doctor for proper guidelines if you have some health issues or disease or if you are on prescription some particular medicine.
Some Important Tips
- Have a Healthy Eating Habit : Eat only when you are hungry.
- Some Important food Items are Lemon, ginger, fennel seeds, cardamom, mint, cumin, coriander seeds, etc are good to remove toxins from the body.
- Drink warm water : Make sure that you drink warm water to maintain hydration and cleansing.
- Take a suggestion from Family doctor. He will help you to choose the combination based on your prakriti. Haritaki, triphala or castor oil can promote cleansing.
- Don’t do anything extensively and it is better to slow down. always moniter your body and mind during fasting for a right results.
- while your ending fasting take Fluids like juice or some light food.
Final Word:
On the day of fasting, one would definitely feel some weekness, tiredness or fatigue and its very normal to feel so. But the very next day you will feel very active energetic and this is beause of cleansing due to Fasting. It is always advisable to moniter or to have awarness to the digestive system. Proper fasting will help you to slowely get back to the normal diet.
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