An overarching goal of Ayurvedic teachings is to bring body, mind and soul into balance. Radical fasting concepts based on complete abstinence from food are not regarded as an adequate method of achieving this goal.
Here are some reasons why excessive fasting programmes that are not tailored to the Dosha Konstitution contradict Ayurvedic principles:
1. Doshas can get out of balance
Different Dosha constitutions require different fasting concepts. Every person has different needs, a different health background and is uniquely ‘equipped’. Improper fasting or periods of fasting that are too long can trigger our Doshas and exacerbate an imbalance.
2. Reduced digestive strength (Agni)
The central theme of Ayurvedic medicine is the maintenance of a strong digestive capacity, which we refer to as “Agni”. A drastic reduction in food intake and irregular meals, which are sometimes not conducive to our constitution, weaken Agni and result in digestive disorders.
3. Ojas is weakened
The immune system can be impaired by fasting, especially if it is carried out too intensively or over long periods of time. A lack of essential nutrients, stress reactions of the body and reduced cell regeneration can weaken our immune system and cause a lack of Ojas (life energy, resilience).
4. Mental stability
Fasting can cause mental stress, leading to irritability and mood swings, which in turn can destabilise the mind-body state.
Ayurveda offers gentler forms of fasting that are considered beneficial to our health and are designed to strengthen our metabolism. Although our bodies can lose weight and girth when fasting, fasting alone is not a sustainable option for weight loss as the scales usually tip back up as soon as you start eating as normal.
Therefore, it makes sense to consider an Ayurvedic detox programme (e.g. Panchakarma) as a starting point and basis for a sustainable change in diet in order to improve the quality of our body tissues and initiate our body’s natural cleansing processes.
The basic aims of an Ayurvedic detox programme are as follows:
- Strengthening our digestive fire / metabolism (Agni)
- Removal of metabolic residues (Ama)
- Remodelling and strengthening our tissues (Dhatus)
- Boosting our cell metabolism by opening the body channels (Srotas)
- Restoring of Dosha balance
While doing this, we take into account the respective constitution and individual needs of each person. For example, a Kapha type has completely different needs than a Vata type, even when fasting.
An important criterion is always that our body system finds peace during fasting and that our mind can recover. Stress and tension prevent our body from initiating cleansing processes and letting go of the old. Fasting should therefore be carried out with mindfulness while listening to our body’s signals.
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