quote:
Originally posted by roboto212
on the energetic level what it happening?
I can answer based on my own experience. I probably use fasting more than the average AYP-er. I experimented with a few types of fast in my previous yoga practice. When I started AYP I sort of forgot about it because Yogani does not emphasise it. Then I found I really needed it to get through some energy blocks. I do brown rice fast from anywhere between one and seven days.
So here is what I feel happens - fist I get a mood lift (I feel lighter, less energy spent on digesting and processing my food). Then, when the fast starts to 'bite' - day 2 or 3, the energy gets lower and I start to feel where the problems are in the system. It's like the fast brings whatever problems there are to the surface. Also it appears the system does more to fix them when exposed in this way. I have also noticed the fast gets rid of unnecessary tensions and habits that waste energy e.g. I used to have a habit of tensing my back muscles when sitting down (stress). Well, when there is less energy to go round, the subconscious switches off these wasteful habits.
If I prolong the fasting beyond 7-8 days I start to feel really tired/very low energy. Everything becomes difficult. That's why I never do it for longer than a week. (I did, in my twenties, do 10 days of fast, as some traditions prescribe). Meditation is an exception - it keeps being very deep and quiet during the fast.
After coming out of the fast, I start to feel its benefits i.e. I feel more energetic and health niggles that prompted me to fast in the first place are either gone or diminished.
The rice fast has been really useful for me with regards to some “sensitivity to practice" issues. I was stuck at 5 minutes pranayama + 15 minutes meditation for many months. Increasing the sitting practice time by 5 minutes used to lead to overload staright away. In fact I am wondering how many of the AYp-ers who are over-sensitive to practice might be eating too much or inadequate food.
In any case, I'd advise anyone looking into fasting to take an experimental approach to it. Do it by small increment - start with just one meal of brown rice - or whatever you want to fast with - and see how you feel after it. After you experiment for a while, you will know instinctively when and how long you need to fast. Also you will findout what kind of fast suits you. There are traditions that promote fasting with fruit juices (I’ve heard of oranges). That has never suited me. I find it very draining energy-wise. Probably because the glycemic index is going up and down steeply during this fast. Also I find orange juice too acidic to be drinking it for days on end. A combination of fruit and vegetable juices might work better if less sweet and with a more balanced pH.
I am impressed by tamasaburo's fasting
quote:
Originally posted by tamasaburo
I'm on the fourth day of a water-only fast right now.
You must have built great stamina to be able to do this. I've never tried more than one day of water-only. Can you still function - go to work etc after 2-3 days of water-only?
