Fasting and yoga: the best exercises
Fasting in a clinic at its finest, in beautiful surroundings and good air - many can only dream of that. But a short fasting period can also be integrated into everyday life. It should not focus on hunger, but on the inside, the identification of the most important needs, regardless of food intake.
And because yoga is based on the same principle (fading outer impressions, gaining mental clarity), fasting can be wonderfully combined with specific yoga exercises. In addition, exercise only makes the fasting really effective, because it strengthens the circulation and brings the metabolism on track.
For our fasting program it would be ideal if you had a week of free time and peace and could adjust the daily routine according to your current constitution. But if you need to work, take some breaks and choose a week when your job does not challenge you.
For all yoga exercises: Do not take too much too much. As you feel, you can either do all the exercises on the first day of fasting. Or you increase slowly and do a yoga exercise more every day. Listen to what is yours.
Important: During the whole Lent, drink herbal tea and still, preferably boiled water, two to three liters per day. To avoid nausea, it is best to start with one to two cups of nettle tea in the morning, then drink water and milk thistle tea throughout the day - this will help cleanse the liver.
Balancing
That's how it's done: Lunge, left leg forward in a stable position. The right leg should be fully stretched. Then raise your upper body and stretch both arms forward in parallel. Fold your hands and reach out with your forefingers. Slowly raise both arms and hold this position for five deep breaths. Then side change, right leg in front, etc.
That's how it works: This exercise gives inner support and balance. Good for people who would like to have more assertive power and maybe even with the fasting fast initially difficult.
Activate the circulation
That's how it's done: Sit on your heels and extend your arms forward, pushing your shoulders towards the floor ("the blade"). Hold for two breaths. Then go like a cat in the bank, looking forward. Change to the quadruped position, pressing the heels to the ground so that the body forms an inverted V ("the dog"). The head hangs down easily. Hold this position for two deep breaths and return to the leaf. Repeat the entire sequence five to eight times.
That's how it works: The circulation gets going, and the over-head posture promotes blood circulation to the head. By changing the different positions, especially the pelvis and lower back become more mobile - good for digestion.
Promote blood circulation
That's how it's done: Lay on your back, legs bent. Lift the head and upper body, stretch out the arms and slowly move your hands along your thighs to your knees. Hold the position for two breaths, then lower the upper body again. Repeat five to eight times.
That's how it works: Strengthens the abdominal muscles and improves blood circulation in the abdomen.
Deepen your breathing
That's how it's done: Lie supine, legs bent. Then lift the pelvis so that the weight rests on the feet and shoulders. Guide both arms parallel to the back and place next to the head. Hold for five breaths, then lower your pelvis and relax. Repeat up to eight times.
That's how it works: Improves the mobility of the spine, strengthens the abdominal and pelvic muscles. Breathing penetrates deep into the pelvis, activating the abdominal-pelvic space and digestion.
Clean the body
That's how it's done: Supine, legs bent up. Raise the pelvis and let the weight rest on your feet, shoulders and arms. Then extend the left leg forward and hold this position for five deep breaths, lower. When breathing, open and stretch the upper body consciously. Repeat up to eight times, then change leg.
That's how it works: You automatically breathe deeper during this exercise. Imagine how your breath flows through the body, along the spine and into the toes - that works according to the yoga philosophy, purifying and detoxifying. Best to breathe through the mouth.
Relax the abdomen
That's how it's done: Loose on the back. Pull the knees to the chest and then bring them to the left side of the body towards the floor, with the left hand applying slight pressure on the knees. Turn the head to the right, right arm next to the head. Take a deep breath five times, change sides. Repeat up to eight times.
That's how it works: The rotation activates the blood circulation, massages the internal organs and has a stimulating and pain-relieving effect on the lower abdomen. This can help against cramps and abdominal pain.
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