Ekadashi Fasting

Ekadashi is the eleventh lunar day of each of the two lunar phases which occur in an Vedic calendar month. It is the natural time for the body to fast (holistic health) and increase your practices of meditation, chanting and yoga (spiritual nourishment). There are different levels of fasting so please pick one that is most suitable for yourself! Basic Fast: A basic fast on Ekadashi would involve avoiding only select foods. You can still eat and drink however much you want. By consuming only easily digestible foods, your body still gets a break and benefits from the fast. Foods to Avoid: Meat, fish, and eggs, grains, beans (legumes), Garlic, onion, caffeine, mushrooms, anything with starch, wheat, or corn additives Foods to Eat: Pseudo-grains such as quinoa and buckwheat, almond flour Fruits, root vegetables, Milk, yogurt, vegetarian cheese, and nuts Intermediate Fast: 1. One option would be to eat only one meal in the day, either in the morning, afternoon, or evening. 2. Another option would be to observe a liquid fast, only taking water, milk, and fruit and vegetable juices. Or you could just do a water fast, abstaining from everything but water for the entire day. Advanced Fast: A complete fast on Ekadashi is to abstain from eating and drinking altogether for twenty-four hours, from sunrise until sunrise of the following day. This can be very uplifting spiritually, although it should not be done without due consideration to one’s health. Warning: Pregnant or breast-feeding women, children, and the elderly should not perform this type of fast, but they can definitely do a basic Ekadashi fast without issue.