What is Moon Fasting ?
Moon fasting or "Chandrayana" is a fasting based on the moon phases. We call it intermittent moon fasting. We start on the full moon with a full meal, and then we gradually reduce the meal by one fifteenth (1/15th) until the new moon.
According to Ayurveda, the Moon is considered the Lord of the mind, energy in foods, water and cows This indicates that the moon has influences our thoughts. The moon goes through phases of visibility, unlike the sun. The phases of the moon have a tremendous effect on everything the moon influences. One complete cycle of waxing and waning is called a month in the Vedic calendar. This month from full moon to the next full moon, is a journey of ups and downs for the mind. As the moon gets closer to the new moon or the full moon, the mind becomes sensitive and can easily become distrubed. However, this sensitive time in principle, can also serve to purify the mind.
We also see that the moon causes high tides in the ocean. Recently the Suez canal was blocked by a ship, one end of which got stuck in one side of the sandbank. Due to the super full moon, the water rose, and they could free the ship. There is a similar effect on the mind. Since our body is 80% water, we experience the same kind of pull from the moon. Some reasons are, however, more sensitive than others and feel the effects even more.
Interestingly, Aristotle defined the word "lunatic," which means mental health caused due to the phases of the moon. According to Ayurveda, a mental health issue eventually leads to a physical health issue as well. One can take advantage of the moon's phases and heal himself or implicate himself more by getting affected by the "lunatic" effects of the moon. Aristotle attributed most chronic health issues to the moon's phases and fasting and meditation on a full-on new moon as a remedy.
Moon fasting to counteract the effects of the Moons gravity
The Vedic scriptures define a method to counter the gravitational pull of the moon to please the moon and focus on healing. Remember, the moon god is a person and is one of the principal witnesses to our activities. Moon-god is also one of the principal gods known as the eye of the supreme. Therefore, he is the witness to our actions. Just like a person on probation being watched by a law officer, the moon oversees our activities and is responsible for our physical and physical mental health. When the moon god is pleased with us, then he can heal the mind leading to a disease-free body as our mind is a subset of the moon's energy.
According to the Vedic calendar, the new moon is called poorna-tithi or a day of completing a ritual. One-half of the fasting is completed on the new moon day. The most potent effect of the moon's lunar pull begins on the 11th day of the moon called Ekadashi. According to Vedic literature, this 11th day is very pleasing to the moon god and the Supreme Lord Narayana. On this day, if we can avoid grains and beans and have only fruits or juices, it will free us from the harmful "lunatic" effects of the moon. From the 11th day to the full moon is the most critical days of the fast. Our digestion is also low on these days. Therefore a fast gives us more benefit than eating anything. As we fast these days, we get purified from physical and mental karma. When this fast is accompanied by a sincere practice of yoga asana, pranayama, mudra and meditation, it has the significant benefits and transformative power.
How to practice intermittent fasting?
Here are the simple rules, fruits, juices, smoothies, chia lemonades for breakfast. A good protein and fat-rich lunch and either skip dinner or have a little soup for dinner. Skipping dinner and having some herbs and teas is the most effective way of reducing insulin resistance. The lesser we eat or reduce the eating time frame, the body recovers faster. One can fast for 12 hours or 16 hours. For example, if you eat your first fruit or tea at 8 am, the last meal should be within the next 8 hours, i.e. by 4 pm. So by the time, it’s 8 am the following day, you would have fasted 16 hours (4 pm to 8 am). Some of my clients also practice the best intermittent fast, eating once in 24 hours. Lunch is the best time to eat the best meal of the day. Your body spikes growth hormones in the morning. This can be best utilized by exercising in the morning. Morning yoga, walking and pranayama produce the best results. Very light foods like fruits should accompany this. The morning is the best time to eat fruits. Fruits, when eaten with grains or after grains, do not give good results.
Pre – Breakfast hot teas
Hot teas like fennel tea, ginger tea, and cinnamon tea also detox the body and reduce blood sugar levels, reducing insulin resistance. This is the first thing one should have in the morning. It detoxes the body, gets the circulation going and also kindles Agni or digestive fire.
Chia detox lemonades and smoothies for breakfast
Chia has four times more calcium than milk, reduces blood sugar and provides more energy to the body. Chia can supply all the power we need for the day. Chia is the Mayan word for energy. Hence chia seeds are highly beneficial. In our book food for the soul, we have provided various recipes of chia detox lemonades where we soak chia overnight and then add lemon, maple syrup and a fruit blend. These are the most beautiful recipes for the morning. Chia keeps you full for longer and also keeps you energetic at the same time, improving insulin resistance.
Along with or separate from chia seed lemonades, one can have smoothies. Fruits should never be mixed with dairy. In the book food for the soul, we have various smoothie combinations which promote good health. Fruits contain most of the vitamins we need, namely vitamin a, b, c. Therefore, fruits are essential. However, fruits should be taken in the morning only. The reason is fruits pass through the guts very quickly, and if grains are eaten before fruits, then the speed of the fruit slows down and the fruit rots. Therefore morning is the best time to have fruits and smoothies. Ideally, cut fruits are better; however, smoothies taste better.
Along with these, add energetic foods like wheatgrass juice or even ginger shot to the smoothie or chia lemonade.
Our programs also include a daily practice of Yoga asanas and healing mudras. These practices enhance the effect of fasting and strengthen the body. Cultivating a new habit is considered very special akin to getting a new birth or a fresh lease of life.
Learn more about the Benefits of Moon Fasting or try our Intermitted Moon Fasting course which details everything you need to perform this amazing program and it includes a daily practice of Yoga asanas and healing mudras. These practices enhance the effect of fasting and strengthen the body. Cultivating a new habit is considered very special akin to getting a new birth or a fresh lease of life.
Moon fasting or "Chandrayana" is a fasting based on the moon phases. We call it intermittent moon fasting. We start on the full moon with a full meal, and then we gradually reduce the meal by one fifteenth (1/15th) until the new moon.
According to Ayurveda, the Moon is considered the Lord of the mind, energy in foods, water and cows This indicates that the moon has influences our thoughts. The moon goes through phases of visibility, unlike the sun. The phases of the moon have a tremendous effect on everything the moon influences. One complete cycle of waxing and waning is called a month in the Vedic calendar. This month from full moon to the next full moon, is a journey of ups and downs for the mind. As the moon gets closer to the new moon or the full moon, the mind becomes sensitive and can easily become distrubed. However, this sensitive time in principle, can also serve to purify the mind.
We also see that the moon causes high tides in the ocean. Recently the Suez canal was blocked by a ship, one end of which got stuck in one side of the sandbank. Due to the super full moon, the water rose, and they could free the ship. There is a similar effect on the mind. Since our body is 80% water, we experience the same kind of pull from the moon. Some reasons are, however, more sensitive than others and feel the effects even more.
Interestingly, Aristotle defined the word "lunatic," which means mental health caused due to the phases of the moon. According to Ayurveda, a mental health issue eventually leads to a physical health issue as well. One can take advantage of the moon's phases and heal himself or implicate himself more by getting affected by the "lunatic" effects of the moon. Aristotle attributed most chronic health issues to the moon's phases and fasting and meditation on a full-on new moon as a remedy.
Moon fasting to counteract the effects of the Moons gravity
The Vedic scriptures define a method to counter the gravitational pull of the moon to please the moon and focus on healing. Remember, the moon god is a person and is one of the principal witnesses to our activities. Moon-god is also one of the principal gods known as the eye of the supreme. Therefore, he is the witness to our actions. Just like a person on probation being watched by a law officer, the moon oversees our activities and is responsible for our physical and physical mental health. When the moon god is pleased with us, then he can heal the mind leading to a disease-free body as our mind is a subset of the moon's energy.
According to the Vedic calendar, the new moon is called poorna-tithi or a day of completing a ritual. One-half of the fasting is completed on the new moon day. The most potent effect of the moon's lunar pull begins on the 11th day of the moon called Ekadashi. According to Vedic literature, this 11th day is very pleasing to the moon god and the Supreme Lord Narayana. On this day, if we can avoid grains and beans and have only fruits or juices, it will free us from the harmful "lunatic" effects of the moon. From the 11th day to the full moon is the most critical days of the fast. Our digestion is also low on these days. Therefore a fast gives us more benefit than eating anything. As we fast these days, we get purified from physical and mental karma. When this fast is accompanied by a sincere practice of yoga asana, pranayama, mudra and meditation, it has the significant benefits and transformative power.
How to practice intermittent fasting?
Here are the simple rules, fruits, juices, smoothies, chia lemonades for breakfast. A good protein and fat-rich lunch and either skip dinner or have a little soup for dinner. Skipping dinner and having some herbs and teas is the most effective way of reducing insulin resistance. The lesser we eat or reduce the eating time frame, the body recovers faster. One can fast for 12 hours or 16 hours. For example, if you eat your first fruit or tea at 8 am, the last meal should be within the next 8 hours, i.e. by 4 pm. So by the time, it’s 8 am the following day, you would have fasted 16 hours (4 pm to 8 am). Some of my clients also practice the best intermittent fast, eating once in 24 hours. Lunch is the best time to eat the best meal of the day. Your body spikes growth hormones in the morning. This can be best utilized by exercising in the morning. Morning yoga, walking and pranayama produce the best results. Very light foods like fruits should accompany this. The morning is the best time to eat fruits. Fruits, when eaten with grains or after grains, do not give good results.
Pre – Breakfast hot teas
Hot teas like fennel tea, ginger tea, and cinnamon tea also detox the body and reduce blood sugar levels, reducing insulin resistance. This is the first thing one should have in the morning. It detoxes the body, gets the circulation going and also kindles Agni or digestive fire.
Chia detox lemonades and smoothies for breakfast
Chia has four times more calcium than milk, reduces blood sugar and provides more energy to the body. Chia can supply all the power we need for the day. Chia is the Mayan word for energy. Hence chia seeds are highly beneficial. In our book food for the soul, we have provided various recipes of chia detox lemonades where we soak chia overnight and then add lemon, maple syrup and a fruit blend. These are the most beautiful recipes for the morning. Chia keeps you full for longer and also keeps you energetic at the same time, improving insulin resistance.
Along with or separate from chia seed lemonades, one can have smoothies. Fruits should never be mixed with dairy. In the book food for the soul, we have various smoothie combinations which promote good health. Fruits contain most of the vitamins we need, namely vitamin a, b, c. Therefore, fruits are essential. However, fruits should be taken in the morning only. The reason is fruits pass through the guts very quickly, and if grains are eaten before fruits, then the speed of the fruit slows down and the fruit rots. Therefore morning is the best time to have fruits and smoothies. Ideally, cut fruits are better; however, smoothies taste better.
Along with these, add energetic foods like wheatgrass juice or even ginger shot to the smoothie or chia lemonade.
Our programs also include a daily practice of Yoga asanas and healing mudras. These practices enhance the effect of fasting and strengthen the body. Cultivating a new habit is considered very special akin to getting a new birth or a fresh lease of life.
Learn more about the Benefits of Moon Fasting or try our Intermitted Moon Fasting course which details everything you need to perform this amazing program and it includes a daily practice of Yoga asanas and healing mudras. These practices enhance the effect of fasting and strengthen the body. Cultivating a new habit is considered very special akin to getting a new birth or a fresh lease of life.