According to Ayurveda, spring (the cool and humid season) is the most suitable time for fasting – at this time, the self-cleansing forces of the body are enhanced. In Ayurveda, frequent and short fasting is recommended, as it increases the fire of digestion. Long periods of fasting are discouraged as they can lead to an imbalance of the doshas.

Ayurveda identifies several types of fasting:

* Eating only light food (for example, dishes such as kichari);
* the use of only vegetables, fruits and juices;
* rejection of any solid food (drinking plenty of water and herbal teas);
* complete renunciation of food and drink.

The choice of the type of fasting depends on what type of dosha you belong to: Vata, Pitta or Kapha. For example, Kapha-type people tolerate fasting quite easily, because they tend to be overweight and have a strong physique. Vata types are lean, easily lose weight and are not recommended to starve.

“Fasting releases your inner doctor, it breaks the cycle of unconscious eating, naturally cleansing the body and enlightening the mind. I recommend panchakarma as it is a more complete and holistic system of cleansing the body through nutrition, massage with special oils, bowel cleansing and bath treatments,” Dr. Mark Lorsen, Ayurveda doctor, author of Start Living, Stop Dying

Ekadashi – without meat and porridge.

In Hinduism and Jainism, there is the concept of “ekadashi”. It is the eleventh day after the full moon and new moon of each lunar month. Ekadashi days are considered the most favorable for fasting (either a complete rejection of food and drink, or only animal products, grains and beans). It is believed that fasting on Ekadashi not only cleanses the body and cures many diseases, but also helps spiritual development.